Filing for divorce in Georgia without an attorney costs $200-$250 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 6 months in Georgia. Georgia is a equitable distribution state with a 30 days (effectively none for uncontested) waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 1-2 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Georgia-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $200-$250 (Filing fees vary by county. Fulton County (Atlanta): $220. Cobb County: $210. Gwinnett County: $215.) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Georgia |
| Waiting Period | 30 days (effectively none for uncontested) |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Irretrievable breakdown (no-fault), Marriage void ab initio, Intermarriage by close relatives, Mental incapacity at marriage, Impotency, Force, menace, duress, or fraud, Pregnancy of wife by another at marriage, Adultery, Willful desertion, Conviction of offense involving moral turpitude, Habitual intoxication, Cruel treatment, Incurable mental illness |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 1-2 months |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Georgia, you must meet the following residency requirement: 6 months in Georgia.
At least one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of Georgia for at least 6 months before filing for divorce. The case is filed in the county where the defendant resides, or where the plaintiff resides if defendant is non-resident.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Georgia's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Georgia without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of Georgia for at least 6 months before filing for divorce. The case is filed in the county where the defendant resides, or where the plaintiff resides if defendant is non-resident.
Download the official Georgia divorce forms: Petition for Divorce, Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit, Domestic Relations Case Filing Information Form. All forms are available from the Georgia courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (Varies by county) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Georgia court and pay the filing fee of $200-$250. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Georgia rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Georgia law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Georgia has a 30-day period for the defendant to respond after service. There's no additional waiting period, so uncontested divorces can move quickly after this.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Georgia, this typically takes 1-2 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Georgia. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates the divorce
Required financial disclosure
Court administration
Terms of divorce
The filing fee to start a divorce in Georgia is $200-$250. Filing fees vary by county. Fulton County (Atlanta): $220. Cobb County: $210. Gwinnett County: $215.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $200-$250 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $300-$1,200 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Georgia offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Georgia, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Georgia courts are strict about service requirements.
Georgia is a equitable distribution state.
Georgia is an equitable distribution state. The court divides marital property fairly based on factors including each spouse's contribution, economic status, fault in the marriage, future needs, and any conduct resulting in dissipation of assets.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Georgia law applies to your specific property.
Georgia uses the Income shares model per OCGA §19-6-15.
Georgia uses income shares guidelines. Both parents' gross incomes are combined to determine the presumptive support amount, then allocated based on income percentages. Deviations are allowed for specific circumstances.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Georgia divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $200-$250 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
30 days (effectively none for uncontested) - Georgia has a 30-day period for the defendant to respond after service. There's no additional waiting period, so uncontested divorces can move quickly after this.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
No specific waiting period (just 30-day answer period)
Many fault grounds available
Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit required
Standing Order in most counties restricts asset disposal
One of the faster states for uncontested divorce
Common questions about filing for divorce in Georgia without an attorney.
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All Georgia divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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