Cobb County Sheriff's Office

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Civil Process Matters

Question: What is the Dispossessory process?

Answer: The Dispossessory process begins with the Court of origin (typically the State or Magistrate Court). Following notice being served to the tenant a 7 day period must pass for the tenant to answer the proceeding. Should no answer be filed the Landlord may then request the court to issue a writ of possession for the property. Following issuance of the writ, the Landlord may then take control of the property. Should assistance of the Sheriff be necessary to keep the peace during the removal of the defendant, the Landlord may secure such service by the payment of 25.00 per defendant. Evictions are scheduled on a first come first serve basis for individual Landlords. Companies also provide eviction services by providing the labor and other services to their clients. Click here to see an impartial listing

Question: How many times will the Sheriff try to serve my process?
Answer: Five attempts will be completed, typically three during the day time and two at night.

Question: Why do I have to pay another fee following the fees I paid to the court for my eviction?
Answer: This fee is for the Deputy Sheriff to be present and keep the peace during the removal of the defendant from the property. Some tenants vacate the property when requested and assistance of the Sheriff is not necessary.

Question: When I send process for service what should I include?
Answer: The process to serve, no additional copies will be needed. An entry of service if within the state of Georgia. An affidavit of service if outside the state or the proper form provided by the court. A return envelope with your address clearly printed.

Question: What is your address to get my legal papers to you as soon as possible?
Answer: When mailing process to the Sheriff’s Office for service from other jurisdictions please use the following address:

Cobb County Sheriff’s Office
Attention Civil Section
185 Roswell Street
Marietta GA 30090-9650


Contact Information

Sgt. Donnie Arrowood
Cobb County Sheriff's Office
Operations Division
Civil Section
185 Roswell Street
Marietta, Georgia 30090
Telephone: (770) 499-4641
Facsimile: (770) 499-3683
E-mail: Donnie.Arrowood@cobbcounty.org

"Leadership Through Service"
Page updated: 23-APR-2014