Georgia Divorce Cost, Filing Fees & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Filing fee
- $200–$230county-set — e.g., Gwinnett County $220
- Minimum time to decree
- 31 days after serviceon the no-fault ground
- Residency requirement
- 6 months in Georgia1 year if residing on a military base
- Where to file
- Superior Courtgenerally in the respondent's county
Georgia divorces are filed in Superior Court — generally in the county where the responding spouse lives — with filing fees around $200–$230 (Gwinnett County charges $220) plus roughly $50 for sheriff's service. One spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months.
On the no-fault ground (the marriage is irretrievably broken), a Georgia divorce cannot be granted until at least 31 days after the respondent is served or acknowledges service — one of the fastest minimum timelines among large states. Georgia has no statewide judiciary forms for divorce; county clerks and Georgia Legal Aid publish local packets.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Petition filing feeGwinnett County: $220 | $200–$230 (by county) | Official fee |
| Sheriff's service of processwaived if respondent signs an Acknowledgment of Service | ≈$50 per respondent | Official fee |
| Parenting seminar (with children)required in most circuits | $30–$50 | Estimate |
| Uncontested — document help | $200–$1,200 | Estimate |
| Contested — attorney representation | $4,000–$20,000+ | Estimate |
Fees vary slightly by county — check the Superior Court clerk. Estimates are market figures.
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Residency | 6 months' Georgia residence before filing (1 year on a military base) |
| Grounds | No-fault (irretrievably broken) plus 12 fault grounds |
| Minimum timeline | Decree no earlier than 31 days after service/acknowledgment (OCGA § 19-5-3) |
| Fee waiver | Poverty affidavit (OCGA § 9-15-2) |
The process, step by step
- File the complaint. File the Complaint for Divorce with the Superior Court clerk — normally in the respondent's county — and pay the fee or file a poverty affidavit.
- Serve your spouse. Sheriff's service (~$50), or the respondent signs an Acknowledgment of Service before a notary.
- Wait the 31 days. The earliest a no-fault decree can issue is 31 days after service; use the time to finalize the settlement agreement.
- Settlement or discovery. Uncontested: file the settlement agreement, child support worksheets and parenting plan (if children). Contested: discovery, mediation, temporary hearings.
- Final decree. A judge signs the Final Judgment and Decree — some counties grant simple uncontested divorces on the papers, others hold a short hearing.
Forms & where to file
Superior Court of the county where the respondent lives (or the petitioner's county if the respondent has left Georgia or consents).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Georgia divorce cost to file?
About $200–$230 depending on the county (Gwinnett charges $220), plus roughly $50 for sheriff's service unless your spouse signs an acknowledgment. A poverty affidavit waives fees for those who qualify.
How fast can a Georgia divorce be final?
The absolute minimum on the no-fault ground is 31 days after service. Real-world uncontested cases typically take 1–3 months; contested cases much longer.
Where do I file — my county or my spouse's?
Generally in the county where your spouse resides. If your spouse has moved out of Georgia or consents to venue, you may file in your own county.
Does Georgia have official statewide divorce forms?
No statewide judiciary packet. Use your county's forms or Georgia Legal Aid's resources; many counties also have self-help centers.
Related information
Sources & verification
- Gwinnett County Superior Court — fee schedule
- Georgia Legal Aid — Filing a Divorce (residency, 31-day rule)
Official fees and statutory rules above are traceable to the listed authorities; figures marked as estimates are LawLintel editorial estimates, not government fees. Laws and fees change — last verified 2026-08-24. See our methodology and legal disclaimer.
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.