Small claims court in Georgia

$15,000maximum claim in Magistrate Court, as of 29 October 2026

Change coming on 1 January 2027: the limit rises to $25,000. HB 999 (2026), Section 3 raises the magistrate court limit to $25,000 for actions filed on or after 1 January 2027.

The basics

Small claims limit: $15,000^1,2,3,4O.C.G.A. 15-10-2(a)(5)
Magistrate court hears civil claims of up to $15,000. A 2026 law (HB 999, Act 707) raises the limit to $25,000 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2027.
Court: Magistrate Court^1,3O.C.G.A. 15-10-2
Small claims are heard in magistrate court.
Filing fee: Varies by county ($106 in Liberty County)^1,4O.C.G.A. 15-10-80
Each magistrate court sets a filing deposit of up to $22 by local rule, and other fees required by law are added on top, so totals vary by county. Liberty County, for example, charges $106 plus $50 for each additional defendant.
Lawyers: Yes, not required^4,5
Parties may hire a lawyer but do not have to. Many people represent themselves in magistrate court.
Appeals: 30 days⁵
Either party may appeal within 30 days, and the case is heard again from the start in superior or state court. This is stated by the Franklin County Magistrate Court.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract: 6 years⁶O.C.G.A. 9-3-24
6 years after a written contract becomes due. Sales of goods and negotiable instruments follow other rules.
Oral contract: 4 years^7,5O.C.G.A. 9-3-25
4 years for open accounts, implied promises and contracts not signed by the party being sued.
Property damage: 4 years^8,5O.C.G.A. 9-3-31
4 years for damage to personal property.
Personal injury: 2 years^9,5O.C.G.A. 9-3-33
2 years for personal injury.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

House Bill 999 (As Passed House and Senate), 26 HB 999/AP, Georgia General Assemblyofficial
HB 999, 2025 to 2026 Regular Session, status history, Georgia General Assembly, 2026-05-12official
O.C.G.A. 15-10-2 (2025 Code of Georgia), Justia (reproduction of state code text), 2025secondary
Civil Claims, Liberty County Magistrate Court, Liberty County, Georgiaofficial
Magistrate Court Frequently Asked Questions, Franklin County, Franklin County, Georgiaofficial
O.C.G.A. 9-3-24, Justia (reproduction of state code text)secondary
O.C.G.A. 9-3-25, Justia (reproduction of state code text)secondary
O.C.G.A. 9-3-31, Justia (reproduction of state code text)secondary
O.C.G.A. 9-3-33, Justia (reproduction of state code text)secondary

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.