<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-18-020928.txt : 20180614
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-18-020928.hdr.sgml : 20180614
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180614171326
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-18-020928
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180612
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180614
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180614

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Green David Lawrence
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001592951

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16111
		FILM NUMBER:		18899990

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1431 FAIRVIEW ROAD NE
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30306

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001123360
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389]
		IRS NUMBER:				582567903
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3550 LENOX ROAD
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30326
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7708298030

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3550 LENOX ROAD
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30326
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-06-12</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001123360</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GPN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001592951</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Green David Lawrence</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3550 LENOX ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30326</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>EVP and General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-06-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1478</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>118.46</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>65717</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents restricted shares of common stock, which were granted to the reporting person as compensation. The restricted shares will vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David L. Green</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-06-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
