The Alabama First Petition for Child Custody is a legal form used to request an initial court hearing in the state of Alabama to determine the custody of a minor child. The petition must be filed with the local circuit court in the county where the child resides. The petition is a formal request to the court for the court to make an initial determination of the child’s best interests. The petition includes information about the petitioner, the child, the other parent, and any other person or entity claiming some custodial rights over the child. The petition may also include a statement of facts and the petitioner's requests for relief. There are three types of Alabama First Petition for Child Custody: Sole Custody, Joint Custody, and Split Custody. Sole Custody is a petition requesting that only one parent or guardian be awarded primary custody of the minor child. Joint Custody is a petition requesting that both parents or guardians share joint legal and physical custody of the minor child. Split Custody is a petition requesting that one parent or guardian be awarded primary custody of one or more of the minor children, while the other parent or guardian be awarded primary custody of the remaining minor children.