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Georgia · checked October 24, 2026

Payday loans in Georgia: the rules and your way out

Typical payday loans not allowed

Payday lending is illegal in Georgia under the Payday Lending Act (O.C.G.A. § 16-17-1 et seq.); loans of $3,000 or less may be made only by exempt or licensed installment lenders, and unlicensed payday lenders have no right to collect.

Law: O.C.G.A. §§ 16-17-1 to 16-17-10 (Payday Lending Act, Ga. L. 2004); O.C.G.A. § 7-3-1 et seq. (Georgia Installment Loan Act). Department of Banking and Finance 'Payday Lending' page and 'Consumer Guidance on Unlicensed Installment Lending and Payday Lending' (Jan. 27, 2021), read 2026-10-24; official code text not read

Georgia's rules, line by line

Fee or rate cap
No payday fee is authorized. Licensed installment lenders (loans of $3,000 or less): interest not to exceed 10 percent per annum of the face amount of the contract, plus other fees allowed by the Georgia Installment Loan Act, for terms up to 36 months and 15 days (O.C.G.A. § 7-3-11, as summarized by the Department of Banking and Finance).
State loan database
No
Limits on collection
An unlicensed entity making payday loans has no right to collect, receive or retain any principal, finance charges or other fees on those loans, and may be liable in a civil action brought by a borrower (O.C.G.A. § 16-17-3, per Department of Banking and Finance guidance). A loan under $3,000 made by an entity required to be licensed under the Installment Loan Act but not licensed is void (O.C.G.A. § 7-3-50, per the same guidance). Making illegal payday loans is a crime under O.C.G.A. § 16-17-2; the Department and the Attorney General tell victims to contact their county solicitor or district attorney.

If you are behind on a payday loan in Georgia

  1. Check whether the loan was legal to make. Georgia does not allow payday loans at typical payday prices. If a lender charged more than the state's limit, report it to the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (installment lenders); Georgia Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division through its complaint page.
  2. Stop the automatic withdrawals if they are emptying your account. You can revoke the lender's permission to debit your account and tell your bank. How to do it.
  3. Look at a credit union payday alternative loan. Federal credit unions can lend $200 to $2,000 at much lower cost. How they work.
  4. Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor. A counselor can look at all your bills, not just this one. How to find a real one.

Check a lender, or report one

Sources

This page summarizes the law; it is not legal advice. Laws change, and the statute and regulator control. If something here is out of date, write to hello@paydayloan.help.

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