Georgia Magistrate Court Forms: Statement of Claim and Required Documents

The Forms You Need

Georgia doesn't use a single statewide form number, but the Council of Magistrate Court Judges publishes standardized templates (like Form MAG 10-01) that most counties accept. Your local clerk's office may also have its own version.

Every Magistrate Court filing requires a package of documents, not just one form. Miss any piece and the clerk will reject your filing.

Statement of Claim

This is the main document. It tells the court who you are, who you're suing, and why they owe you money.

What goes on it:

• Full legal names of all parties (not trade names — see below)
• Physical street addresses for every party (P.O. boxes are invalid for service)
• The county where venue is proper and why
• A plain-language narrative of what happened — the contract, the breach, the damage
• The specific dollar amount you're claiming

Writing the factual narrative. Clerks can help you locate the form and explain the fee, but they cannot help you write the claim description. Keep it factual and chronological. State what was agreed, what the other side did or failed to do, and how much money you're owed. Skip legal jargon and emotional language.

Naming the defendant correctly. If you're suing a person who runs a sole proprietorship, write "Jane Doe d/b/a Doe's Plumbing." For corporations and LLCs, use the exact registered name from the Georgia Secretary of State database. Getting this wrong can make your judgment unenforceable.

Verification (Notarized Affidavit)

This is a sworn statement attached to the claim, signed before a notary public or magistrate clerk, affirming that everything in the Statement of Claim is true. Filing without it gets your case rejected.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Military Affidavit

Federal law (50 U.S.C. § 3931) requires you to state whether the defendant is on active military duty. You can check through the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center. This affidavit must be notarized.

The military affidavit matters because active-duty service members have special protections against default judgments. If you skip it, the clerk won't accept your filing.

Civil Case Filing Information Form

A standard judicial cover sheet that classifies your case. Straightforward — fill in the case type and party information.

Designation of Business Agent (When Applicable)

If you're filing on behalf of a company (not as an individual), some counties require this form. It authorizes a non-lawyer employee or officer to sign pleadings and represent the business in Magistrate Court. Worth County, for example, uses a specific "Designation of Business Agent" form.

Under Eckles v. Atlanta Technology Group (1997), corporations generally need a lawyer in Georgia trial courts. Magistrate Court is the exception — an officer, full-time employee, or designated agent can represent the entity.

Where to Get the Forms

• Georgia Magistrate Council website (georgiamagistratecouncil.com) — free downloadable PDFs
• Magistrate Court Guide & File — a web interview tool that generates customized forms based on your answers
• Your county clerk's office — many provide multi-part NCR paper forms at the counter

The Georgia Small Claims Filing Guide includes a mandatory document checklist and step-by-step instructions for completing each form.

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