Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $15,000
- Filing fee
- $60
- Court
- Magistrate Court
- File online
- Yes
Fulton County filing fees
Source: magistratefulton.org (Fulton County Magistrate Court — Small Claims page, Filing Fees page, Civil Matters page, Statement of Claim form MAG 10-01, Small Claims Plaintiff Pamphlet, Petition for Review Procedures), fultoncountyga.gov (Magistrate Court / Small Claims department pages), jcaoc.georgiacourts.gov (AOC Petition for Review Basics and Bench Card for Judges)
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Under $15,000 | $60 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at 404-613-5360 before you file.
Where to file
Fulton County Magistrate Court, Civil Division
185 Central Avenue SW, Suite TG-100, Atlanta, GA 30303
404-613-5360
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
- Electronic filing via eFileGA — Fulton Magistrate Court requires parties to e-file documents into the court's case management system (register at www.odysseyefilega.com)
- Free e-filing at the public access terminals in the Clerk's Office, Suite TG-100 (fee applies for e-filing from home)
- Oral answer given in person at the Clerk's Office within the 30-day answer period (no telephone answers permitted)
Walk-in filing is available at 3 locations: Downtown Courthouse (Justice Center Tower, 185 Central Ave SW, Atlanta) — main, North Annex, South Annex.
The forms you need
Fulton County requires 3 forms to open a small claims case:
- Statement of Claim (MAG 10-01)
- Answer/Counterclaim
- Petition for Review (Appeals)
We keep the current Fulton County versions of both. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The Statement of Claim has to describe what happened in the language the court expects, and that is where most first-time filers get sent home to try again.
If your claim is based on a written agreement, a copy must be attached to the Statement of Claim.
Serving the defendant
The plaintiff selects and pays for the method of service after filing; the county marshal, sheriff, or constable (terminology varies by county) executes it, or the plaintiff may use a court-approved private process server. Clerks do not perform physical service themselves.
- County marshal, sheriff, or constable (fee-based; fee varies by county)
- Court-approved private process server
- Court-appointed special agent for service, where the plaintiff/attorney cannot otherwise effect service (e.g., Gwinnett MAG 10-05/10-06/10-07)
- Second original for a defendant residing outside the filing county (O.C.G.A. § 9-10-72)
- Defendant's signed waiver of service (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4), which extends the answer deadline from 30 to 60 days from when the notice was sent
If the defendant signs a waiver of service, the 30-day answer window becomes 60 days — build that into any hearing-date expectations. Service outside the filing county requires a second original under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-72; using the wrong method can void a later default judgment on petition for review.
Why not just download the free form?
The forms are free. Why pay?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
Can't I just hire a lawyer?
Most attorneys will not take a $15,000 case, and the ones who will cost more than the claim.
What if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay the fee again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
What happens next
Your trial is scheduled after the defendant is served. If the defendant loses, they have 30 days to move for a new trial and 30 days to appeal.
The Fulton County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Fulton County forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- Filing checklist with this court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your trial
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Fulton County?
A flat $60 to file, regardless of the amount you are claiming, plus $50 per defendant for service.
What is the small claims limit in Fulton County?
$15,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Where do I file a small claims case in Fulton County?
Fulton County Magistrate Court, Civil Division, 185 Central Avenue SW, Suite TG-100, Atlanta. Also at North Annex, South Annex. You can also file online.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Fulton County?
No. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves.
Who serves the defendant?
The plaintiff selects and pays for the method of service after filing; the county marshal, sheriff, or constable (terminology varies by county) executes it, or the plaintiff may use a court-approved private process server. Clerks do not perform physical service themselves.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-23 · Sourced from magistratefulton.org (Fulton County Magistrate Court — Small Claims page, Filing Fees page, Civil Matters page, Statement of Claim form MAG 10-01, Small Claims Plaintiff Pamphlet, Petition for Review Procedures), fultoncountyga.gov (Magistrate Court / Small Claims department pages), jcaoc.georgiacourts.gov (AOC Petition for Review Basics and Bench Card for Judges) and O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2 (General jurisdiction; authority of magistrate to act — sets the $15,000 civil jurisdictional limit). See how we verify.