Ala. Code § 35-3-23

In the event a party to such action petitions for such survey and offers to pay the cost of the same and it appears that such survey is pertinent to the determination of the issue or issues of said action or is essential to the proper entering of an order therein, the court shall order such survey requiring the petitioning party to deposit with the register or clerk of the court the estimated cost to be fixed by the court of such survey, which deposited funds shall be disbursed by order of the court; and on the deposit of such cost with the register or clerk the court shall order such survey to be made.