Georgia Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Georgia — dollar limits, filing fees, court locations, and step-by-step guidance.
Georgia Quick Facts
Maximum Claim
$15,000
Filing Fee
$20–$50
Court fees added to your case — not due today
Court
Magistrate Court
Overview
Small Claims in Georgia
Georgia's small claims court is the Magistrate Court, which handles civil disputes where the amount claimed does not exceed $15,000. This generous jurisdictional limit makes Georgia's small claims court a practical option for resolving significant monetary disputes without the expense and complexity of formal litigation in State or Superior Court.
Filing fees in Georgia range from $20 to $50 depending on the county and claim amount. These fees are recoverable as court costs if you prevail. The Magistrate Court provides a simplified process designed for self-represented litigants, and attorneys are generally not permitted to appear on behalf of individual parties, though businesses may be represented by a registered agent or officer.
Georgia Magistrate Court is commonly used for collecting unpaid debts, recovering security deposits, seeking compensation for property damage, resolving landlord-tenant disputes, and addressing breach of contract matters. The court can award monetary judgments, including filing fees and court costs, which are recoverable from the losing party.
To file, you must submit an affidavit and claim form to the Magistrate Court in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute occurred. After filing, the court issues a summons for service on the defendant. Georgia has discontinued certified mail service in many counties, so private process service or sheriff service is often required. The hearing is typically scheduled within 30 to 60 days.
Where to File
File in the Magistrate Court of the county where the defendant lives or where the incident occurred. For business defendants, file where the business is located or where the contract was to be performed.
Service of Process
Many Georgia counties have discontinued certified mail service. Service is typically completed by sheriff or a private process server. The defendant must be served at least 30 days before the hearing.
Statute of Limitations
Written contracts: 6 years. Oral contracts: 4 years. Property damage: 2 years. Personal injury: 2 years. Fraud: 2 years from discovery.
Appeal Rules
Either party may appeal to the State or Superior Court within 30 days. The case is retried de novo.
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