Ala. Code § 45-35-231.04

The owner of any abandoned or stolen personal property recovered by the Houston County Sheriff’s Department, including firearms, may claim the property at any time prior to its sale by submitting sufficient proof of ownership as determined by the sheriff and by paying any reasonable expenses incurred in the recovery of the property, its maintenance, storage, and a pro rata share of the costs, if any, of publication of notice of the sale of the property.