Ala. Code § 34-3-102

When the application has been made, filed, and recorded as herein provided, the applicants shall constitute a corporation under the name proposed in the application, and the Secretary of State shall make and issue to the applicants a certificate of incorporation, under the Great Seal of the State, and shall record the certificate with the application. No fees shall be paid to the Secretary of State for any work in connection with the incorporation of the corporation, which is hereinafter sometimes called “the foundation.”