Fulton County Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court, GA): How to File
Fulton County small claims: the limit and the 2027 change, e-filing through eFileGA, fees, Marshal service and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.
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Quick answer: In Fulton County, small claims are heard by the Magistrate Court of Fulton County, for claims of $15,000 or less filed through December 31, 2026 ($25,000 or less from January 1, 2027). You must e-file through eFileGA, or use the public access terminals at the Clerk's office, 185 Central Avenue, Suite TG-100, Atlanta. Filing costs $60 for one defendant plus $8 for each additional defendant. Clerk: 404-613-5360.
This independent guide covers small claims cases in Fulton County, Georgia, including Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, South Fulton, East Point, College Park, Union City, Fairburn and Palmetto. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.
Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Magistrate Court of Fulton County website and the Georgia Code. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Georgia small claims guide.
Filing in Fulton County? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the Georgia Statement of Claim (MAG 10-01), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Fulton County small claims court: the Magistrate Court
- Court: the Magistrate Court of Fulton County, one court for the whole county.
- Limit: under O.C.G.A. 15-10-2 (as amended by HB 999), $15,000 or less for cases filed through December 31, 2026, and $25,000 or less for cases filed from January 1, 2027.
- Lawyers: the court says "You may electronically file in your own name without an attorney or you may hire an attorney at your own expense."
- No jury: there are no jury trials in magistrate court (O.C.G.A. 15-10-41).
- Answer: the defendant has 30 days to answer. A default can be opened within the next 15 days on payment of costs.
- Businesses: an employee may represent a business.
- Appeal: by a "Petition for Review (formerly known as the Notice of Appeal)" (O.C.G.A. 5-3-7). "No appeal shall lie from a default judgment." Ask the clerk about the deadline right after the decision.
- Mediation: "At the discretion of the courts".
Which courthouse do I file in?
- One court for the county. Wherever the defendant lives in Fulton County, the case goes to the Magistrate Court of Fulton County. You don't need to look up a precinct.
- Which county: the court's page says to file where the defendant lives. For a corporation, it's the county of its registered agent; for an unincorporated business, the county where it's "physically located".
- How: the plaintiff "must electronically file" through eFileGA, or use "the public access terminals" at the Clerk of Magistrate Court, 185 Central Avenue, Suite TG-100, Atlanta.
- Sworn claim: the claim must be "sworn or affirmed in person with a Clerk or notarized with a signature and seal".
Addresses, phone numbers and hours
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From the court's Small Claims page. The page also lists a South Service Center and a North Service Center in its general contact block, but it doesn't say small claims can be filed there, so call first.
Clerk of Magistrate Court
Address: 185 Central Avenue, Suite TG-100, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-613-5360
Office:
- Small claims filing and public access terminals
South Service Center
Address: 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, GA 30349
Phone: 404-612-4117
Office:
- Listed in the court's contact block; call before you go to file
North Service Center
Address: 7741 Roswell Road 253, Atlanta, GA 30350
Phone: 404-613-5757
Office:
- Listed in the court's contact block; call before you go to file
How much does small claims cost in Fulton County?
From the court's Small Claims page:
- Filing fee: $60 for one defendant
- Each additional defendant: $8
- Service by the Marshal's Department: $50 per party (or use a private process server)
- "Filing and service fees may be paid when initially e-filing a case at eFileGA."
- eFileGA may add a service fee when you file online; check the amount at checkout.
- Fees can change; confirm with the clerk at 404-613-5360 before you file.
Can I e-file in Fulton County?
Yes, and it's the main way. The court says the plaintiff "must electronically file" through eFileGA, or use the public access terminals in Suite TG-100. eFileGA may add a service fee when you file online; check the amount at checkout.
Fulton County small claims forms: the Statement of Claim
You file your sworn claim through eFileGA or at the Clerk's public access terminals. See the court's Small Claims page for the details. The claim must be sworn or affirmed in person with a Clerk, or notarized.
How to file in Fulton County, step by step
- Make sure your claim is $15,000 or less (or $25,000 or less if you file on or after January 1, 2027).
- Confirm the defendant lives in Fulton County (or, for a business, that its registered agent or location is here).
- Prepare your claim and have it sworn before a Clerk or notarized.
- E-file through eFileGA (or use the public access terminals in Suite TG-100) and pay $60, plus $8 for each additional defendant.
- Arrange service: the Marshal's Department for $50 per party, or a private process server.
- The defendant has 30 days to answer.
- Go to your hearing with your evidence. Statewide rules are in our Georgia guide.
Ready to fill in your own form?
The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of the Georgia Statement of Claim (MAG 10-01) with every box explained, plus your Georgia Playbook section on serving the other side, hearing day, appeals by Petition for Review, and collecting a judgment.
You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
How to look up a Fulton County small claims case
- We couldn't confirm the search steps. If you can't find your case, call the clerk at 404-613-5360.
What does it cost to collect a judgment?
Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Fulton County's collection fees weren't on the pages we checked. Ask the clerk at 404-613-5360, and see our Georgia guide for the statewide steps.
Fee waivers and venue changes
- Can't afford the fees? Ask the clerk what options the court offers.
- Default: a defendant who misses the 30-day answer deadline can open the default within the next 15 days on payment of costs.
- Appeal: by Petition for Review. There's no appeal from a default judgment.
Coach's Tips for Fulton County
- Check the address before you pay for service. Confirm the defendant's address is in Fulton County before you pay the Marshal's $50 service fee.
- Get your claim sworn. The claim must be sworn or affirmed in person with a Clerk, or notarized with a signature and seal.
- Watch the 2027 limit change. Cases filed through December 31, 2026 are capped at $15,000; from January 1, 2027, the limit is $25,000.
Fulton County small claims checklist
- My claim is within the limit for my filing date.
- The defendant lives in Fulton County (or the business is located here).
- My claim is sworn before a Clerk or notarized.
- I have an eFileGA account, or I'll use the public access terminals.
- I budgeted $60 to file, $8 per extra defendant and $50 per party for Marshal service.
- I know the defendant has 30 days to answer.
- My evidence is organized and copied for court.
Fulton County small claims FAQ
Which court handles small claims in Fulton County, Georgia?
Small claims in Fulton County are heard by the Magistrate Court of Fulton County.
How do I file a Statement of Claim in Fulton County Magistrate Court?
You file a sworn Statement of Claim with the Magistrate Court of Fulton County, including electronically through eFileGA. The fee and limit are in the sections above; confirm them with the clerk before you file.
Is there small claims court in Atlanta?
Yes. For defendants who live in Fulton County, it is the Magistrate Court of Fulton County at 185 Central Ave SW, Atlanta. Part of Atlanta is in DeKalb County; if the defendant lives there, ask the clerk whether to file in DeKalb County Magistrate Court instead.
What happens after the defendant is served with the Statement of Claim?
The defendant has 30 days to answer. A defendant who misses that deadline can open the default within the next 15 days on payment of costs.
How do I look up a Fulton County Magistrate Court case?
Use the court's online case search (Find My Case) on the Magistrate Court of Fulton County website.
What is the small claims limit in Fulton County?
$15,000 or less for cases filed through December 31, 2026, and $25,000 or less from January 1, 2027, under O.C.G.A. 15-10-2 as amended by HB 999.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Fulton County?
$60 for one defendant and $8 for each additional defendant. Service by the Marshal's Department is $50 per party. eFileGA may add its own service fee.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-27.
More for Georgia: Georgia small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day
Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers where and how to file in Fulton County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the Georgia Statement of Claim (MAG 10-01), your Georgia Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.
Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.