Gwinnett Magistrate Court Filing Fees
2026 Complete Fee Schedule & Payment Guide
2026 Filing Fee Quick Reference
$58
Court filing fee only
+ Service fees apply
$97
Court filing fee only
+ Service fees apply
Total cost with PettyLawsuit:
$87-$176 (all fees included)
Complete Gwinnett Magistrate Court Fee Schedule
| Fee Type | Amount | When Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee (Under $5,000) | $58 | At filing | Most common fee tier |
| Filing Fee ($5,000-$15,000) | $97 | At filing | Higher claim amounts |
| Sheriff Service | $50 | After filing | Most reliable service method |
| Certified Mail Service | $15-20 | After filing | Alternative to sheriff |
| Subpoena | $25 | If needed | Per witness |
| Garnishment | $35 | Post-judgment | To collect judgment |
| Appeal to State Court | $230 | Within 30 days | Either party can appeal |
| Default Judgment | $0 | If defendant doesn't answer | No additional fee |
| Dismissal (Voluntary) | $0 | Before hearing | No refund of filing fee |
| PettyLawsuit Service Fee | $29 | One-time | Handles all paperwork & filing |
Calculate Your Total Filing Cost
(< $5,000)
($5,000-$10,000)
($10,000-$15,000)
Note: Using certified mail instead of sheriff service saves about $30-35 but is less reliable
Payment Methods & Options
If filing in person at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville:
- Cash (exact change recommended)
- Money orders
- Certified/Cashier's checks
- Credit/Debit cards (Visa, MasterCard)
- Personal checks NOT accepted
File online 24/7 from anywhere:
- All major credit cards accepted
- Debit cards with Visa/MC logo
- Secure online payment processing
- We pay court fees on your behalf
- One payment covers everything
Fee Waivers & Financial Assistance
If you cannot afford filing fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Here's what you need to know:
Eligibility Requirements:
- • Income below 150% of federal poverty guidelines
- • Receiving public assistance (SNAP, TANF, SSI)
- • Unemployed with limited assets
- • Experiencing financial hardship
Required Documentation:
- • Completed Affidavit of Indigence form
- • Proof of income (pay stubs, benefits letter)
- • Bank statements
- • List of monthly expenses
PettyLawsuit's $29 fee is often more affordable than the time and cost of applying for a waiver
Hidden Costs of Filing Yourself
- Time off work (2-3 trips):$200-500
- Gas & parking:$20-40
- Printing & copies:$10-20
- Mistakes requiring refiling:$58-97
- Research time (10-20 hrs):Priceless
- True Total Cost:$300-650+
- Court filing fee:$58-97
- Service fee:$50
- PettyLawsuit assistance:$29
- Time required:10 minutes
- Courthouse visits:Zero
- Total Cost:$137-176
Frequently Asked Questions About Filing Fees
Yes! In Georgia, you can request court costs as part of your judgment. If you win, the judge typically awards filing fees and service costs to be paid by the defendant. However, you cannot recover PettyLawsuit's $29 service fee as court costs.
The defendant must pay their own filing fee for a counterclaim: $58 for counterclaims under $5,000 or $97 for $5,000-$15,000. This is separate from your filing fee. Both claims are heard together at the same hearing.
No, filing fees are non-refundable once paid to the court, even if you voluntarily dismiss your case. PettyLawsuit's fee is also non-refundable once we've prepared and filed your documents. Choose to file only when you're ready to proceed.
The base filing fee remains the same, but you'll pay additional service fees for each defendant. Sheriff service is $50 per defendant. For example, suing two defendants costs $58 (filing) + $100 (2x service) = $158 in court fees.
Garnishment fees ($35) are only paid after you win your case and the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily. You'll file separate garnishment paperwork to collect from their wages or bank accounts. These post-judgment fees can often be added to what the defendant owes.
Stop Overpaying for Simple Court Filings
File your case in Gwinnett Magistrate Court for the lowest total cost. Just $29 plus court fees - that's it.
Save $200+
vs. DIY hidden costs
Save $1,300+
vs. hiring an attorney
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file small claims in Gwinnett Magistrate Court?
Filing fees in Gwinnett Magistrate Court are $58 for claims under $5,000 and $97 for claims between $5,000 and $15,000. Additional service fees apply: $50 for sheriff service or the cost of certified mail (approximately $15-20). With PettyLawsuit, add just $29 for complete filing assistance.
What payment methods does Gwinnett Magistrate Court accept?
Gwinnett Magistrate Court accepts cash, money orders, certified checks, and credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard). Personal checks are not accepted. When filing through PettyLawsuit, we handle all payment processing for you online.
Are there additional fees beyond the filing fee?
Yes, you'll need to pay for service of process ($50 for sheriff service or $15-20 for certified mail), and potential fees for subpoenas ($25 each), garnishments ($35), or appeals ($230). Post-judgment collection may have additional fees.
Can I get filing fees waived in Gwinnett Magistrate Court?
Yes, you can request a fee waiver by filing an Affidavit of Indigence if you cannot afford the fees. You'll need to prove financial hardship. The judge will review and decide whether to grant the waiver. PettyLawsuit's $29 fee cannot be waived but is often more affordable than taking time off work to file in person.