25-3-301. Time and manner of return. (1) The sheriff or other person serving a summons or other process or order required by any of the provisions of law, issued for any of the courts of this state, shall make due and legal return of the service and file the return with the clerk of the court in which the action or proceeding is pending. The return must be made within 10 days after making the service if the service was made in the county in which the action or proceeding is pending and within 20 days after making the service when the service was made outside of the county in which the action or proceeding is pending. Any failure to make and file the return may be punished as a contempt of court.

(2) When process or a notice is returnable to another county or was forwarded under 25-3-201, the sheriff or a registered process server may enclose a return of process or notice in an envelope addressed to the officer who sent it and deposit it in the post office, postage prepaid.

(3) In compliance with the provisions of subsection (1) and in lieu of returning a summons, other process, or order to the clerk of court, the sheriff or levying officer may enclose the return of the summons, process, or order in an envelope, postage prepaid, and deposit it in the post office addressed to the officer, agent, or attorney who sent it.