We investigated fatigue crack growth behavior in laser-welded sheet metal caused by a single applied overload The fatigue specimens were made using butt jointed cold rolled sheet metal that was welded with a $CO_2$ laser, The effects of the specimen thickness and overload ratio were determined from fatigue crack propagation tests, These tests were performed in such a way that the fatigue loading was aligned parallel to the weld line while the crack propagated perpendicular to the weld line, Overload ratios of 1.0, 1.5, and 2. 0 were applied near the tip of the fatigue crack at points located 6, 4, and 2 mm from the weld line. The specimens were either 0.9 or 2.0 mm thick. The size of the plastic zone at the crack tip due to the single applied overload was also determined using finite element analysis.