You filed your case, the clerk stamped it, and the court issued a summons. Now someone has to put those papers in the defendant's hands — and in Georgia, that someone cannot be you. This guide covers who is allowed to serve your papers, what it costs, what happens after you hand the job off, and the one deadline worth watching.
Can I serve the papers myself in Georgia?
No. Georgia law does not let a party to the case serve the papers. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4(c), process is served by the sheriff of the county where the defendant is found (or a deputy), by the court's marshal, by a citizen the court specially appoints for your case, by a permanent process server the county's courts have appointed for the year, or by a certified process server under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4.1. Handing the papers over yourself — or having a relative involved in the dispute do it — is one of the most common ways service gets challenged later.
What are my options for getting someone served?
Practically, a self-represented plaintiff has two doors.
The sheriff. Every county sheriff's office serves civil process for a statutory fee, typically around $50 per defendant. It works, and for some court types it is the default. The trade-offs are queue time, limited attempt windows during business hours, and a thin return of service — you usually will not get photos, GPS records, or updates along the way, and you will be the one calling to ask what happened.
A private process server. A private company dispatches a server who holds the authorization the county's courts expect, attempts during evenings and weekends when people are actually home, and documents every attempt. With Reliant the flat rate is $90 for a personal serve on an individual ($75 substitute, $85 workplace, $95 corporate or government), and in covered service areas the first attempt happens within 48 hours of us confirming your papers. See the full breakdown in our pricing guide.
What do I actually have to do?
With Reliant, the honest answer is: upload and submit. You photograph or upload the papers the court issued — summons, complaint, every exhibit — through the order form, confirm the defendant's address, and send it. Nothing is charged on the website: we review the request and contact you with the exact price, and payment is arranged with you before any work begins. After that the work is ours: we confirm the papers, assign a server for the county, and make the attempts. You do not call for updates, because every attempt lands in your email and phone automatically, with the time, GPS location, and a photo.
When the serve completes, your server signs the affidavit of service — the sworn proof the court needs. You receive it electronically within 24 hours, and we e-file it with the court for a flat $30, typically the same day it is signed — Reliant handles the fee the court charges. What that filing step means for your case is covered in how serve-to-file works.
What if my court requires an appointed server?
Some Georgia courts appoint the specific individuals who may serve process for their cases — a per-case appointment by motion, or a standing annual appointment. Where the court your papers relate to requires an appointment step before service can begin, Reliant tells you before payment, and the timing of that step depends on the court. The motion itself is part of your case, so it is filed by you or your attorney; we flag what the court expects and handle the service work once the court has ruled.
What is the one deadline that matters?
Two clocks are worth knowing. First, the defendant's clock: in most Georgia civil actions the defendant has 30 days to answer, and that clock starts when they are served — not when you filed. Nothing in your case moves until service is complete. Second, your clock: if you filed close to the statute of limitations, Georgia case law expects diligence in completing service after filing. The details are in our statute-of-limitations guide; the short version is that serving promptly protects you, and sitting on an unserved complaint does not.
What does the whole thing cost, all-in?
For a typical one-defendant pro se matter: $90 for a personal serve, plus a flat $30 to have the affidavit e-filed for you, plus a one-time $25 surcharge only if the serve is in Fulton County. Rush speeds are optional add-ons (+$35 next-day, +$75 same-day). The quote you approve is itemized, and if a distance charge applies for a far-out address, it appears on the quote before you pay — never after.
Where do I start?
Have the court-issued papers ready as a PDF or clear photos, plus the best address you have for the defendant. Then start your order — it walks you through the upload and shows you a starting estimate. Nothing is charged there; we contact you with the exact price and arrange payment before any work begins. From there, your part is done.
What if I only have an old address?
Service starts with the address you give, so a stale one costs you an attempt cycle. Check what you have before ordering: mail you have received from the defendant, a lease, court papers from an earlier matter. If attempts show the defendant no longer lives there — you will see that in the attempt photos and notes — you can provide a verified new address and order service there. A separate address research review exists for existing service matters, but it is not automatic and runs through an eligibility and permissible-purpose check first; the details are in our address research explainer.
Does the court type change anything?
Somewhat. Magistrate Court — where small claims cases live — allows service by anyone authorized to serve in Superior Court, by a constable, or by a person the magistrate judge specially appoints (O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43). Superior and State Courts follow § 9-11-4 directly. Probate matters are their own world: the statute there speaks of service by the sheriff or another lawful officer, so ask the clerk what that court expects before assuming a private server may be used. When you place an order, the court you name is how we know which rules apply.
This is general information, not legal advice. Reliant Process Solutions is not a law firm and does not advise on claims, deadlines, or strategy. Court rules and fees vary by county — confirm specifics with the clerk of the court or an attorney.