---
title: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-151. Time limitations for filing petition.
collection: code
id: 15-11-151
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-151 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-151
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-151.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-151/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t15-ch1-11a-(v13)-2020-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=d8a8826c_0#page=843
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-150.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-152.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: COURTS / JUVENILE CODE / DEPENDENCY PROCEEDINGS / DEPENDENCY PETITIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 15-11-151. Time limitations for filing petition.

(a) If a child was removed from his or her home, a petition alleging dependency shall be filed within five days of the preliminary protective hearing.

(b) If a child was not removed from his or her home or if a child was removed from his or her home but was released from protective custody at the preliminary protective hearing, a petition alleging dependency shall be filed within 30 days of the preliminary protective hearing.

(c) Upon a showing of good cause and notice to all parties, the court may grant a requested extension of time for filing a petition alleging dependency in accordance with the best interests of the child. The court shall issue a written order reciting the facts justifying the extension.

(d) If a petition alleging dependency is not filed within the required time frame, the complaint shall be dismissed without prejudice.

## History

Code 1981, § 15-11-151, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.