Georgia Code Title 50. State Government § 50-13-23

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any document required by law, rule, or regulation to be received by or filed with any agency pursuant to the requirements of this chapter shall be deemed to be received by or filed with such agency on the earlier of: (1) the date such document is actually received by such agency; (2) the official postmark date such document was mailed, properly addressed with postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail; or (3) the date on which such document was delivered to a commercial delivery company for statutory overnight delivery as provided in Code Section 9-10-12 as evidenced by the receipt provided by the commercial delivery company.

Before punishing for contempt, unless the offender is already in the presence of the court, the offender must be served personally with an order to show cause against the punishment, and a reasonable time given the offender therefor;  or the offender may be brought before the court forthwith, or on a given day, by warrant, if necessary.  In either case the offender may, at the offender's option, make a written explanation of the offender's conduct under oath, which must be filed and preserved.