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Small claims by state · checked

Court: Magistrate Court (small claims). Claims up to $15,000. Each fact below links to the official source we read. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.

Limit

$15,000

Civil claims where the amount demanded does not exceed $15,000 (O.C.G.A. 15-10-2(5)); state and county pages say claims under or less than $15,000. HB 999 (2026) raises the limit to $25,000 for actions filed on or after January 1, 2027. No separate lower limit for businesses was found.

From 1 Jan 2027: the limit rises to $25,000. HB 999 (2026) raises the limit to $25,000 for actions filed on or after January 1, 2027.

Sources: HB 999 (2026), as passed and signed; Other Options for Resolving Your Dispute (Magistrate Court); Magistrate Court Civil Division · checked 25 Oct 2026

Filing fee

Set by each court

Set by each county's magistrate court, so it varies. The Attorney General's consumer page says the fee usually includes serving one defendant and ranges from about $45 to $55, plus about $25 to $35 for each extra defendant. Example: Fulton County charges $60 to file plus a $50 marshal service fee per defendant. By statute (O.C.G.A. 15-10-80 as amended by HB 999), the filing deposit set by local rule is capped at $22.00 and service is charged separately at actual cost; other statutory add-ons bring local totals higher.

Sources: Other Options for Resolving Your Dispute (Magistrate Court); Filing Fees; HB 999 (2026), as passed and signed · checked 25 Oct 2026

Lawyers

Lawyers allowed

Anyone may file without a lawyer or hire one at their own expense. A person may act as agent for their own corporation, but a non-lawyer cannot represent someone else.

Sources: Other Options for Resolving Your Dispute (Magistrate Court); Magistrate Court Civil Division · checked 25 Oct 2026

Serving a corporation

See how

Sue the corporation itself (not an employee) in the county where its registered agent is located (or where it does business), and have the registered agent served. Look up the agent through the Secretary of State's Corporations Division (ecorp.sos.ga.gov). The magistrate court serves the claim and summons through the sheriff, marshal or constable; the filing fee usually covers serving one defendant.

Sources: Other Options for Resolving Your Dispute (Magistrate Court); Magistrate Court Civil Division · checked 25 Oct 2026

Demand before suing

Check with your court Not verified

We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the court clerk before you file.

Official self-help

Court self-help page

consumer.georgia.gov/resolve-your-dispute/other-options-resolving-your-dispute

Official page · checked 25 Oct 2026

Suing Meta from Georgia

Meta’s terms point disputes to California courts or arbitration and cap its liability, so a Georgia small-claims case is leverage, not a sure thing. Read the small-claims checklist before you pay a fee, then draft your demand letter in the free kit: pick Georgia and it checks your loss amount against the limit.

Fees and limits change, and local courts can add costs. Confirm with the court clerk before you file.

LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Draft the demand letter

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Georgia small claims, answered

What is the small-claims limit in Georgia?
Civil claims where the amount demanded does not exceed $15,000 (O.C.G.A. 15-10-2(5)); state and county pages say claims under or less than $15,000. HB 999 (2026) raises the limit to $25,000 for actions filed on or after January 1, 2027. No separate lower limit for businesses was found.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Georgia?
Set by each county's magistrate court, so it varies. The Attorney General's consumer page says the fee usually includes serving one defendant and ranges from about $45 to $55, plus about $25 to $35 for each extra defendant. Example: Fulton County charges $60 to file plus a $50 marshal service fee per defendant. By statute (O.C.G.A. 15-10-80 as amended by HB 999), the filing deposit set by local rule is capped at $22.00 and service is charged separately at actual cost; other statutory add-ons bring local totals higher. Local courts can add costs.
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims in Georgia?
Anyone may file without a lawyer or hire one at their own expense. A person may act as agent for their own corporation, but a non-lawyer cannot represent someone else.
Where do these facts come from?
Each fact on this page links to the official court, statute or government source we read. We last checked Georgia on 25 Oct 2026. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.
Is this legal advice?
No. LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. It shows general information from official sources; confirm with the court clerk before you file.