Service of Process in Georgia — Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server
Do you need to serve legal documents for a case that originates in Georgia upon an individual or corporation located in Georgia?
Depending on which county the case originates, you may first need to file a Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server​
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If your case originates in Georgia, service of process can be served by one of the following methods:
1) the Sheriff of the county where the case originates or where the defendant is located; or
2) by any citizen specially appointed by the court; or
3) by someone who is already appointed as a permanent process server by the court to serve process for actions originating in that court.
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What are the most common Atlanta Metro Counties in Georgia that offer Annual Permanent Appointments for Process Servers and their corresponding Courts?
Cobb County — Annual orders available for all Courts.
Fulton County — Annual orders available for all Courts.
DeKalb County — Annual orders available for all Courts.
Forsyth County — Annual orders available for all Courts.
Paulding County — Annual orders available for all Courts.
Clayton County — Annual orders available for Superior Court and State Court; however, Magistrate Court requires Deputy to attempt service first.
Gwinnett County — Annual orders available for State Court and Magistrate Court only. Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server required for Superior Court on a case-by-case basis.
Hall County — Annual orders available for Superior Court and Magistrate Court only. Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server required for State Court on a case-by-case basis.
Henry County — Annual orders available for Superior Court and State Court only. Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server required for Magistrate Court on a case-by-case basis.
Douglas County — Annual orders available for Superior Court and Magistrate Court only. Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server required for State Court on a case-by-case basis.
Dawson County — Annual orders available for Superior Court and Magistrate Court only. Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server required for State Court on a case-by-case basis.
Most other Counties, and some as indicated in this list, will require a Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server on a case-by-case basis for any private process server.
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Permanently Appointed Process Server in Georgia
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To improve the standards of practice for private service of process and to provide a list of persons eligible to serve process in courts statewide, the Georgia General Assembly amended O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4.1,; to grant authority for civil process to be served in Georgia by persons deemed by sheriffs of any county in Georgia to have met the criteria to be certified to serve process in addition to sheriffs, marshals, and permanent process servers. The Judicial Council of Georgia promulgates these rules to implement and explain specific procedures regarding Certified Process servers in Georgia.
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In accordance with OCGA § 9-11-4.1(e), the GSA shall maintain a registry of all certified process servers in Georgia. GSA will share this list with the AOC by the beginning of every calendar year in electronic format or as needed upon request by the AOC.
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Our staff can help you comply with the courts requirements to have your case served by a process server who is already permanently appointed by the court, if applicable or to assist with having the required Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server. Process Server filed with the court so that your case can be served in compliance with the law and without delay.
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Links:
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Motion For Appointment of Private Process Server Sample Form - Gwinnett County
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Georgia State Civil Court Forms
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Rules and Regulations Georgia Certified Process Server Program​
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Disclaimer
Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law, there may be times when the material on this page is not current. We have made every effort to provide complete and accurate information of the general rules governing the motion for appointment of private process server and service of process in Georgia. However, that we cannot guarantee the current accuracy of the above listed content, it is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. We assume no liability whatsoever and will not be held responsible directly or indirectly for any damages resulting from any errors, omissions, inaccuracies or your reliance on this partial information.
