Georgia Guardianship Annual Report: What You Must File After the Court Order

Getting the court order is not the last step. Georgia requires a guardian of the person of a minor child to file regular reports with the probate court for as long as the guardianship lasts. Miss a deadline and you risk a contempt citation — or removal as guardian.

The Personal Status Report

Under O.C.G.A. § 29-2-21(b)(8), guardians of the person must submit a Personal Status Report (PSR) to the probate court that appointed them. This is not optional.

Initial report: Due within 60 calendar days of your appointment as guardian.

Annual reports: Due every year within 60 calendar days of the anniversary of your appointment.

What the Report Must Cover

The PSR is a structured update on the child's welfare. You must include:

• The child's current physical address and living arrangement
• Physical, mental, and emotional health updates
• Recent medical and dental treatments
• School enrollment, current grade, academic performance, and any IEP or special education status
• Social and recreational activities
• A description of financial support received for the child's care
• Your explicit recommendation on whether the guardianship should continue
• A copy of the child's most recent school report card (attached)

The form is standardized across Georgia counties, though some courts have their own supplemental questions.

What Happens If You Miss a Deadline

The probate court tracks reporting compliance. If your report is late, the court issues a Rule Nisi — a formal order requiring you to appear and explain why you did not file. If you still fail to comply, the court can impose contempt sanctions, fines, or removal as guardian.

The court can also remove you as guardian. Every report filed on time is an investment in keeping the legal authority you worked to get.

Letters of Guardianship

Separate from the annual report, your certified Letters of Guardianship are the official proof of your authority. You receive them from the probate clerk after taking the oath on GPCSF Supplement 4.

Each certified copy costs approximately $10 plus $1 per page. Order multiple copies — schools, medical providers, the Social Security Administration, and state benefits agencies will each want their own. If you need additional copies later, you can request them from the probate clerk for the same fee.

Keep your letters current. If the court modifies or extends the guardianship, request updated certified copies that reflect the new order.

Staying Organized

Set calendar reminders for your annual filing deadline. Collect the child's report cards, medical visit summaries, and any benefits documentation throughout the year so the report is straightforward to complete when the anniversary arrives.

Our Georgia Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide includes post-order compliance tracking tools and a reporting checklist, so annual filing becomes routine rather than a scramble.

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