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Eviction timeline in Georgia

Georgia Eviction Timeline

Uncontested: 14–30 days  ·  Contested: 45–90 days  ·  Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7 (Landlord and Tenant)

The Georgia eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.

Georgia Eviction Timeline at a Glance1

14–30 days Uncontested
45–90 days Contested
$60–$250 Court filing fee
$500–$3,000 Attorney fees (est.)
Uncontested eviction (after filing) 14–30 days O.C.G.A. § 44-7 (Landlord and Tenant)
Contested eviction (after filing) 45–90 days O.C.G.A. § 44-7 (Landlord and Tenant)
Pre-filing notice: Nonpayment of rent 3 days O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50
Pre-filing notice: Holdover, no-cause 60 days O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7
Pre-filing notice: Material lease violation 3 days O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50
Pre-filing notice: End of lease term 0 days O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50
Court filing fee $60–$250 O.C.G.A. § 44-7 (Landlord and Tenant)

Step-by-step Georgia eviction process

Day-by-day, every stage.

Each row's day-label is the cumulative start of that stage on the worst-case clock.
Pre-filing Notice File Court Lockout
  1. 3d
    1
    Stage 1 · Gate

    Demand for possession

    Day 1

    3-business-day written demand to pay or vacate (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50). Day of service does not count. Weekends and holidays excluded. Most Georgia dispossessory cases that fail at the hearing failed at the demand stage.

  2. 1–3d
    2
    Stage 2 · Serve

    Dispossessory affidavit and filing

    Day 4

    Landlord swears out an affidavit before a Magistrate Court judge. Filing fees $60 to $80 by county. Online filing in most metro Atlanta counties; in-person in rural counties.

  3. 7d
    3
    Stage 3 · File

    Service and 7-day answer

    Day 7

    Sheriff or marshal serves the summons. Tenant has 7 calendar days to answer (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-51), with the 7th day extended to the next workday if it lands on a weekend or holiday.

  4. 5–14d
    4
    Stage 4 · Court

    Hearing or default judgment

    Day 14

    If the tenant answers, hearing within 5 to 10 days. Most cases resolve same-day with bench judgment. If the tenant does not answer, default judgment for the landlord on day 8.

  5. 7d
    5
    Stage 5 · Lockout

    Writ of possession and lockout

    Day 28

    Writ becomes effective 7 days after the date of judgment under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-55. Sheriff or marshal executes. Landlord may not enter or change locks before execution.

  6. Day 35
    ✓
    Possession recovered
    Worst case · Day 35
Timelines begin at court filing, not notice service. The Georgia timelines above start when the landlord files the eviction complaint with the court. Add pre-filing notice periods (3–60 days depending on eviction reason) to get the full end-to-end timeline. Self-help eviction, changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities, is illegal in Georgia and exposes the landlord to significant damages.

Other Guides for Georgia

← Georgia Eviction Risk OverviewEviction Costs: GeorgiaEviction Process: GeorgiaRent Control Guide: GeorgiaTenant Screening: GeorgiaTenant Protections: GeorgiaTenant Rights: GeorgiaNotice Templates: Georgia

Eviction Timeline in Other States

Oregon Florida New Jersey Washington ← All States Compared

Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Georgia attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.