Ala. Code § 37-7-4
The natural persons executing the certificate of incorporation shall be residents of the territory in which the operations of the corporation are principally to be conducted who are desirous of using electric energy to be furnished by the corporation. The certificate of incorporation shall be acknowledged by the subscribers before an officer authorized by the laws of this state to take acknowledgments of deeds. When so acknowledged, the certificate may be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, who shall forthwith prepare a certified copy or copies thereof and forward one to the officer charged with the duty of recording deeds in each county in which a portion of the territory of the corporation is located, who shall forthwith file such certified copy or copies in their respective offices. As soon as the provisions of this section have been complied with, the proposed corporation described in the certificate so filed, under its designated name, shall be and constitute a body corporate.
Ala. Code § 37-7-4 (1975)