Coastal Georgia · Seat: Savannah
Process Serving in Chatham County, Georgia
Chatham County is Georgia's most populous coastal county, with eight municipalities around Savannah and unincorporated areas between them. DFS serves papers throughout the county under one starting rate.
- County seat
- Savannah
- Municipalities
- 8 (Savannah, Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Bloomingdale, Thunderbolt, Tybee Island, Vernonburg)
- Region
- Coastal Georgia
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, S.D. Ga., Savannah Division
- Population (Census 2025 est.)
- 311,855
Chatham County beyond Savannah
Savannah is the county seat and its largest city, but Chatham also includes seven other municipalities. Pooler and Bloomingdale lie to the west, Garden City and Port Wentworth along the river and port, Thunderbolt to the east, Tybee Island on the coast, and tiny Vernonburg to the south.
Unincorporated areas between and beyond those cities are served by the county's own police department and include many residential communities. Whether an address is in a city or not, Chatham County's courts and its Routine starting rate of $125 apply.
The county's geography shapes the work. Some addresses sit on islands or along marsh-front roads, port-area businesses keep controlled sites, and beach communities have many seasonal or rental units. The server confirms the address type before the first attempt and records every approach.
Municipalities and areas in Chatham County
- Savannah
- Pooler
- Garden City
- Port Wentworth
- Bloomingdale
- Thunderbolt
- Tybee Island
- Vernonburg
- Unincorporated Chatham County
Process serving rates for Chatham County
Published starting rates by service level. Compare any other county on the Georgia pricing map.
Chatham 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.
Common requests in Chatham County
Each topic links to its own Georgia page with scope, process and limits.
- Businesses & Registered AgentsPort, logistics and hospitality companies are often served through officers or registered agents.
- Dispossessory (Georgia)Rental and seasonal housing leads to dispossessory filings across the county.
- Out-of-State Cases (Georgia)Firms in other states often need Chatham County defendants served.
- Statewide Georgia ServiceCoastal cases can involve parties in several Georgia counties at once.
- Routine Service (Georgia)Routine service with a first attempt in 5–7 days covers most Chatham files.
From request to proof in Chatham County
- Tell us the municipalityNote whether the address is in Savannah, another Chatham city or an unincorporated area, and whether it is a seasonal rental.
- Confirm termsThe county rate and service level are set out in writing before the first attempt. DFS confirms before the first attempt that the server assigned meets the issuing court's requirements for that document.
- Attempts and footageAttempts are spread across the day, logged with GPS time stamps, and the serve is recorded on body camera.
- Return the proofThe signed proof of service comes back to you; clerk filing can be arranged on request where the court accepts it.
Chatham County trial courts and federal court
DFS serves papers issued by state and federal courts. Who may serve and what the proof of service must show depend on the issuing court.
- Chatham County Superior CourtThe general trial court for civil cases, divorces and equity matters.
- State Court of Chatham CountyCivil cases within its jurisdiction, including many contract and negligence suits.
- Chatham County Magistrate CourtDispossessory cases and smaller civil claims.
- Probate and Juvenile CourtsEstates, guardianships and juvenile matters.
- U.S. District Court, S.D. Ga.The Savannah Division covers Chatham, Bryan, Effingham and Liberty counties.
Chatham County questions
Does Tybee Island cost more because it is on the coast?
No. Tybee Island is in Chatham County, and the county's Routine starting rate of $125 applies. The quote confirms the final price.
The defendant moved to Richmond Hill. Is that Chatham?
Richmond Hill is in Bryan County, outside Chatham. DFS can quote that county's rate before any attempt.
Can a port-area employee be served at work?
Port facilities control access. The server works through site security or management, records any refusal, and can attempt at a home address you provide.
Georgia guides
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Nearby service areas
Each local page covers its own geography, courts and published rates.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information about Georgia practice, not legal advice.
Need papers served in Chatham County?
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.