County Line Disputes  

Note:This information pertains to boundary disputes between counties. It does not apply to the property of individual citizens.

Whenever two counties dispute the location of their boundaries, the state archives can often help resolve the debate using its more than 10,000 maps and 1.5 million plat maps. Officials may contact the Reference Section (678-364-3700) and ask for assistance.

Whenever two counties are unable to resolve a boundary dispute through reference to earlier maps and land records, state law prescribes a process by which the dispute must be settled. O.C.G.A. § 36-3-1 et seq.

After reviewing the law, county officials may wish to review two documents prepared by the archives: the Procedures for Settling a County Line Dispute (a summary of the process for settling such disputes) and the Checklist of Procedures for Settling a County Line Dispute (a list that can be used to verify the completion of each step). County officials are cautioned that these documents represent the archives’ and Secretary of State’s interpretations of the pertinent laws; as with any legal matter, county officials should consult an attorney before depending exclusively on these documents.