How Much Does Guardianship Cost in Georgia? Filing Fees, Service Costs, and Fee Waivers

The filing fee posted on a county's website is only part of what guardianship actually costs in Georgia. Sheriff service, newspaper publication, background checks, and certified copies add up quickly — and the total varies depending on your county and whether a parent needs to be served.

Court Filing Fees by County

Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60, the statewide statutory petition fee is $125 for temporary letters of guardianship (GPCSF 28) and $175 for other minor-guardianship petitions, including permanent guardianship (GPCSF 29). County filing totals can be higher because add-on court charges and other local costs apply. Representative GPCSF 28 filing totals include:

• Fulton County: $159–$209
• DeKalb County: $152–$190
• Gwinnett County: approximately $152
• Cobb County: approximately $130
• Rural counties: typically $125–$150

These are base fees. They do not include the costs below.

Notice and Service Costs

If a parent has not signed a notarized consent, you must formally serve them with notice. Each method carries its own expense:

• Sheriff service (for in-state parents): about $50 per person served
• Publication (when a parent's location is unknown): ranges from $50–$80 in rural counties to $180 or more in metro Atlanta, based on the county legal organ's rates
• Certified mail (for out-of-state parents): postage costs, typically modest

If both parents need to be served, double the service fees.

Background Check and GAL Fees

Every adult aged 18 or older in your household must consent to a criminal background check through the GCIC/GBI system. Some courts include this in the filing fee; others charge $20 per adult separately.

If the court appoints a guardian ad litem (GAL) to investigate the child's situation, expect a deposit of $150–$200 in metro counties. GAL appointments are common when a parent cannot be found, when notice was served by publication, or when there are allegations of instability.

Certified Copies

After the court grants guardianship, you need certified Letters of Guardianship. Each certified copy costs about $10 plus $1 per page. Order several — you will need one for the school, one for the pediatrician, one for benefits agencies, and at least one spare.

Total Realistic Cost Range

For a straightforward case with no parent service, no publication, and no GAL, start with the county filing fee and add any background-check and certified-copy charges. Based on the ranges above, one adult background check and one one-page certified copy put the listed components at roughly $136–$240; the actual amount depends on the county and whether a background check is included in the base fee.

If service, publication, or a GAL is required, add the local charge: about $50 per person for sheriff service, $50–$180 or more for publication, and a $100–$200 GAL deposit when ordered.

Fee Waivers: The Poverty Affidavit

If you cannot afford the filing fees, Georgia law provides a path. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-15-2, you can submit a Poverty Affidavit (also called an Affidavit of Indigency) with proof of income, public assistance, or financial hardship. The judge reviews it and can waive the base court filing fees.

An approved waiver covers clerk processing costs but does not automatically cover third-party expenses — sheriff service fees and newspaper publication charges may require a separate motion asking the court to authorize payment at county expense.

Attorney Fees (If You Hire One)

Full private legal representation is estimated at $2,500–$5,000 or more, with reported hourly rates of $250–$450 and possible retainer top-ups. Costs depend on the case. Many kinship caregivers handle uncontested probate filings without a lawyer.

Our Georgia Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide includes a county-by-county fee breakdown and step-by-step instructions for completing the Poverty Affidavit — built for caregivers managing tight budgets.

See more Georgia guides →