How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Georgia? Filing Fees by County and the Pauper's Affidavit
Georgia family law · Last reviewed October 9, 2026
Georgia has no single statewide divorce filing fee that every county charges. Each Clerk of Superior Court posts its own schedule, built from the state's base civil filing fee plus local and statutory add-ons, so the totals differ by a few dollars from county to county.
Filing fees in large counties
From each clerk's official fee page. Confirm before you file.
| County | Divorce filing fee | Sheriff service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton | $223 | $50 | Fee schedule dated July 1, 2024 |
| Gwinnett | $220 | — | |
| Cobb | $218 | $50 | Publication $120 |
| DeKalb | $217 | $50 | Fee sheet dated Oct. 10, 2025 |
| Clayton | $213 | $50 | Domestic filing without sheriff service |
| Chatham | $218 | $50 | |
| Forsyth | $218 | $50 per defendant | |
| Richmond (Augusta) | $211 | $50 | Schedule dated 2021; may be out of date |
If your spouse signs an acknowledgment of service, you don't need the sheriff and can skip the $50 service fee.
Other court costs
- Service by publication. If your spouse can't be found, publishing notice in the county's legal newspaper adds a cost; Cobb County lists $120.
- Certified copies. After the divorce, copies from the clerk typically run $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 or $1 for each additional page. Cobb County lists a certified decree at $10, or $24 with the settlement agreement attached. Certified copies can also be ordered online through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority's eCertification portal. See divorce records.
- Parenting seminar. Counties that require one set their own fee, which must be waivable for people who can't afford it (Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8).
- Mediation fees, where mediation is required, vary by circuit.
Costs beyond the court
Lawyers, mediators, appraisers and other experts account for most of the cost of a contested divorce, and a jury trial on property or alimony adds more. There's no reliable statewide average. An uncontested divorce with an acknowledgment of service and a signed settlement can cost little more than the filing fee.
Filing without paying: the affidavit of indigence
If you can't afford the fees, you can file an affidavit of indigence (often called a pauper's affidavit) under O.C.G.A. § 9-15-2 instead of paying costs. The other side can contest it, or the court can look into it on its own. If you don't have a lawyer, the clerk must present your papers to a judge before filing them, so the judge can review the affidavit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Georgia?
About $211 to $223 in the largest counties in 2026, plus $50 for sheriff's service if your spouse doesn't sign an acknowledgment of service.
Can I file for divorce in Georgia for free?
If you can't afford the fees, file an affidavit of indigence under O.C.G.A. § 9-15-2. The court decides whether you qualify.
How can I avoid the sheriff's fee?
Have your spouse sign an acknowledgment of service, which replaces formal service by the sheriff.
How much is a certified copy of a Georgia divorce decree?
It varies by county. Copies typically cost $2.50 for the first page plus a per-page charge; Cobb County lists a certified decree at $10.