Defamation Laws in Georgia

How long you have to sue for libel or slander in Georgia, and any retraction rules, from the state code.

Short answer: In Georgia, lawsuits for injuries to reputation, which covers both libel (written) and slander (spoken), must be filed within 1 year after the claim arises. That is shorter than the 2-year limit for most personal injuries. O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)	In Georgia, lawsuits for injuries to reputation, which covers both libel (written) and slander (spoken), must be filed within 1 year after the claim arises. That is shorter than the 2-year limit for most personal injuries. Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Source: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)
Retraction (correction) rules	Yes. In a civil libel case, either side may show whether the plaintiff asked in writing for a retraction at least 7 days before suing. If the defendant shows the statement was published without malice and was corrected and retracted as conspicuously as the original within 7 days of a written demand (or in the next regular issue), or that the plaintiff never asked in writing for a correction, the plaintiff cannot get punitive damages and may recover only actual damages. Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Source: O.C.G.A. § 51-5-11 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)

Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander)

In Georgia, lawsuits for injuries to reputation, which covers both libel (written) and slander (spoken), must be filed within 1 year after the claim arises. That is shorter than the 2-year limit for most personal injuries.

Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code.

Source: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)

Retraction (correction) rules

Yes. In a civil libel case, either side may show whether the plaintiff asked in writing for a retraction at least 7 days before suing. If the defendant shows the statement was published without malice and was corrected and retracted as conspicuously as the original within 7 days of a written demand (or in the next regular issue), or that the plaintiff never asked in writing for a correction, the plaintiff cannot get punitive damages and may recover only actual damages.

Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code.

Source: O.C.G.A. § 51-5-11 (secondary source: public copy of the state code; check the official code)

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FAQ

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Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.