Georgia · 5–7 day first attempt
Routine Process Serving in Georgia
Routine is the standard Georgia service level: a first attempt within 5–7 days at the county's published starting rate, with the full DFS documentation standard.
When the calendar has room
Many Georgia complaints are filed with weeks of runway before a limitation concern or hearing date. Paying for speed in that situation buys little.
Routine is the baseline every other price is built from. Choosing it changes when the first attempt happens, not who serves the papers or how the attempt is recorded.
What it costs in Fulton County
Every Georgia county has its own published starting rate, from $125 to $260 for Routine service. Look up any county on the Georgia pricing map or the five-state map.
Fulton County · Georgia
Published starting rates. Final pricing depends on the address, urgency and document readiness and is confirmed in writing before the first attempt. *Same Day Rush availability is assessed case by case; any request for service within 24 hours is billed as Same Day Rush. Outside Tennessee, DFS provides process serving only.
How a Routine serve runs
- Check the countyFind the Routine starting rate for the recipient's county on the pricing map.
- Send the papersInclude each defendant's name, known addresses and any lawful description you can share.
- Approve the quoteAttempts start after the county, level and price are confirmed in writing.
- Get the returnThe signed proof of service follows a completed serve, with footage and logs on request.
Included at the Routine rate
Standard Georgia service with a first attempt in 5–7 days at the county starting rate. Same records as faster tiers.
- First attempt in 5–7 daysCounted from receipt of service-ready papers and an approved written quote.
- Attempts at varied timesFollow-up visits are spread across mornings, evenings and different days.
- Qualified serverDFS confirms before the first attempt that the server assigned meets the issuing court's requirements for that document.
- Body camera and GPS logEach serve is filmed from approach through handoff, and every attempt is time-stamped.
- Signed proof of serviceCompleted for the issuing court and signed by the person who made service.
Routine timing limits
The 5–7 day window covers the first attempt only. The number of attempts a serve needs depends on the recipient.
- Georgia's statute expects prompt service once a server has the papers, so choose a faster tier if delay is a concern.
- Missing pages or an unissued summons push back the start date.
- Routine starting rates range from $125 to $260 depending on the county.
Fulton County example
| Level | First attempt | Starting rate |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | 5–7 days | $125 |
| Urgent | 3–5 days | $188 |
| Rush | 1–2 days | $250 |
Questions about routine service (Georgia)
Is Routine service less thorough than Rush?
No. The level sets how soon the first attempt happens. Documentation, server qualification and follow-up standards are the same.
What does Routine cost in Gwinnett County?
The Routine starting rate in Gwinnett County is $125. Your written quote confirms the final price for the address.
Can I move a Routine order to a faster tier?
Yes. Ask DFS to requote the order as Urgent or Rush, and the change applies once the new quote is approved.
Georgia guides
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related pages
More on process serving in Georgia.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information about Georgia practice, not legal advice.
Papers to serve in Georgia?
Send the documents and the recipient’s last known address through the request form. DFS confirms the county, service level and price in writing before the first attempt.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.