United States Process Serving Corp provides professional and reliable process serving across Georgia. Our network of experienced process servers ensures your legal documents are delivered promptly and in compliance with the Georgia Civil Practice Act, O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4 and the Georgia Certified Process Server Program under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4.1.
Georgia Process Serving Laws
Georgia established its Certified Process Server Program in 2010 under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4.1. Under this statute, process may be served by the sheriff of the county where the action is brought or where the defendant is found, by a deputy sheriff, by the marshal of the court, by any United States citizen specially appointed by the court, by a person who is not a party and is at least 18 years of age who has been appointed as a permanent process server by the court, or by a certified process server. To become certified, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen, complete a 12-hour pre-certification course, pass an examination administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts, undergo a criminal background check with fingerprinting, and obtain a surety bond or commercial insurance policy. Certification is valid for three years and is granted by a sheriff of any Georgia county, with an $80 application fee. Before serving process in any county, a certified process server must file written notice with that county’s sheriff. Proof of service must be filed with the court within five business days of service under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4(h). Georgia law also requires that gated and secured communities grant process servers access during reasonable hours for the purpose of performing lawful service.
Georgia Legal Resource Centre
Serving documents in Georgia requires compliance with the Georgia Civil Practice Act and the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.). Below are answers to common questions regarding service of process in this state.
Frequently Asked Questions (Georgia)
What is the Small Claims limit in Georgia?
The Small Claims limit in Georgia is $15,000 under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2. Small claims cases are heard in the Magistrate Court. Attorneys are permitted but not required. Jury trials are not available. The defendant must file an answer within 30 days of service to avoid a default judgment. Either party may appeal the decision within 30 days after the final judgment is entered. Eviction cases may also be filed in Magistrate Court with no dollar limit.
Who can serve process in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4(c), process may be served by the sheriff of the county where the action is brought or where the defendant is found, by a deputy sheriff, by the marshal of the court, by any United States citizen specially appointed by the court, by a person who is not a party and is at least 18 years of age and has been appointed as a permanent process server by the court, or by a certified process server under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4.1. Certified process servers must complete a 12-hour course, pass an examination, undergo a background check, and obtain a surety bond or insurance. Proof of service must be filed with the court within five business days.
What are the rules for substitute service in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4(e)(7), service may be made by leaving copies of the summons and complaint at the defendant’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein, or by delivering a copy to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process. For claims under $200 where personal service has failed, process may be attached to the door of the abode in a waterproof packet and a copy mailed by certified or registered mail under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4(e)(6). Gated and secured communities must grant process servers access during reasonable hours upon identifying the person to be served and displaying a valid government-issued photo ID.
Comprehensive Services in Georgia
We offer a full suite of legal support services across Georgia, including:
- Professional process serving for all document types
- Court filing and document retrieval
- Skip tracing and locate services
- Rush and same-day service (where available)
- Sworn Affidavit of Service for every serve
Coverage Area
Our Georgia network covers the entire state, including major metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, and Marietta, as well as rural and suburban communities throughout Georgia’s 159 counties.
All Georgia Locations (A-Z)
Click on a city below to connect with our local process server:
- Atlanta Process Servers — Serving Fulton County
- Columbus Process Servers — Serving Muscogee County
- Cumming Process Servers — Serving Forsyth County
- Jasper Process Servers — Serving Pickens County
- Lawrenceville Process Servers — Serving Gwinnett County
- Marietta Process Servers — Serving Cobb County
- Savannah Process Servers — Serving Chatham County
- Watkinsville Process Servers — Serving Oconee County
Do you offer rush service in Georgia?
Yes, same-day and next-day rush service is often available in Georgia’s major metropolitan areas. We recommend calling or emailing us first to confirm availability so we can prioritize your file immediately.
Contact Information
United States Process Serving Corp
Phone: 1-800-465-7378
Website: www.unitedstatesprocessserving.com