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Cobb County · Superior Court, Cobb Judicial Circuit

How to File for Legitimation in Cobb County Court

If you're an unmarried father in Cobb County, here's what it costs and how the filing process runs — based on the Clerk of Superior Court's current published fees.

$218
Filing Fee
General Civil fee, covers legitimation actions
$50
Sheriff Service
Per service, if she isn't cooperating
See Guide
Full Checklist Below
Everything to bring, in order

Confirmed against the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk's official 'Court Filing Fees' schedule. $218 General Civil fee applies to legitimation; Sheriff Service is $50/party; publication fee is $120 + $25 affidavit fee. Fees are subject to change — confirm with the Clerk's Office before filing.

This page's process steps are pending court verification

Fees below are confirmed directly from Cobb's Clerk of Court. The process steps and document checklist, however, are built from Georgia's general legitimation statute, not Cobb's specific Legitimating Packet, which wasn't accessible during this build. Confirm the exact forms with the Cobb County Law Library before filing.

01

Confirm you're filing in the right place

Generally, file where the mother or child resides in Cobb County. Cobb's Legitimating Packet (Cobb County Law Library) will confirm exact venue options for your situation.

02

Get the Cobb County Legitimating Packet

Only the biological father can file. Available at the Cobb County Law Library at the Superior Court. You may not need every form if you're only legitimating, not addressing custody/visitation/support.

03

Decide how she'll be served

Cooperative service is simpler. Otherwise, the Cobb County Sheriff's Civil Section serves her for $50/party. Unknown whereabouts mean a $120 publication fee (Marietta Daily Journal) plus a $25 Publisher's Affidavit fee.

04

File and pay the $218 filing fee

File at the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk's office. Cash, money order, cashier's/certified check, or card (cardholder must appear in person with ID) accepted.

05

Get your court date

Cobb County Superior Court is generally recommended to be navigated with an attorney's help — confirm your hearing timeline with the Clerk's office once filed.

What to bring / have ready(pending verification)

  • Completed Petition for Legitimation
  • Parenting Plan, if requesting custody/visitation
  • Mother's current address, or Affidavit of Diligent Search
  • $218 filing fee
  • $50 Sheriff service fee, if not cooperating
  • $120 publication + $25 affidavit fee, if service by publication needed

Skip the blank form

Answer a few plain questions and we'll fill in your actual Cobb County Petition and Parenting Plan.

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Filing in a different county?

Fulton County →DeKalb County →Gwinnett County — soon

This page provides general information about the Cobb County legitimation process, not legal advice. Fees are subject to change — confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Office before filing. If your case is contested or your situation doesn't clearly match what's described here, consult a licensed Georgia family law attorney.