DeKalb County Court Records Search
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DeKalb County, Georgia, is home to one of the state’s largest court systems, with a county seat in Decatur and jurisdiction spanning a population of roughly 750,000 residents. The county operates a Superior Court, State Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, and several Municipal Courts, each maintaining its own records. The Clerk of Superior Court manages felony criminal filings, civil litigation, family law matters, and real property records, while the State Court handles misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases. Probate, estate, guardianship, and marriage license records fall under the Probate Court, and the Magistrate Court processes small claims and warrant applications.
Georgia residents and members of the public can search for court case information through several official channels, including clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and statewide online tools. The Georgia Judicial Branch website and multi-county platforms such as re:SearchGA offer electronic access to filings across numerous counties, including DeKalb. The state-specific resource at GeorgiaStateCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available court case data. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, requests should be directed to the specific court or clerk office that originated the record.
How to Look Up a Court Case in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County provides three primary methods for locating court case records: online portals, mail-based requests, and in-person access at the courthouse.
Online Case Search
The Clerk of Superior Court maintains an Odyssey online search portal where users can look up civil, criminal, and family cases by entering a party name or case number. Viewing basic case information is free, though downloading or printing copies may involve fees. Certified copies of Superior Court documents from 2010 onward can be ordered through the eCertification portal operated by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority, which requires account registration and accepts debit or credit card payments.
For State Court and Magistrate Court cases, the State Court case search covers misdemeanor criminal and civil matters. The Magistrate Court website provides docket information and e-filing capabilities.
Mail Requests
For records predating 2012 or when electronic access is not available, submit a written request to:
Clerk of Superior Court
Attn: Archives/Records
556 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Include the following with every mail request:
- A completed archive request form
- Payment by money order or check payable to “Clerk of Superior Court”
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope for return delivery
In-Person Access
Public access terminals are available at the DeKalb County Courthouse on the ground floor. Appointments are required and can be scheduled through the Clerk’s civil contact page or the notary and records contact page. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Copy Fee Schedule (Superior Court)
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $2.50 first page, $0.50 each additional |
| Exemplified copies | $2.50 first page, $0.50 each additional |
| Credit card surcharge | 2% + $1.00 |
Are Court Records Public in DeKalb County?
Georgia’s Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70 through 50-18-77) establishes a broad right of public access to government records, including court documents. Any person may request inspection or copies of court records held by DeKalb County clerks, and custodians must respond within three business days of receiving a valid request.
Certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. In DeKalb County, the following types of court records may be restricted or redacted:
- Juvenile court records, except as authorized by O.C.G.A. § 15-11-708
- Probation and parole supervision files
- Records sealed or made confidential by court order or state or federal statute
- Clinical and medical records of parties referenced in court filings
- Personal identifying information of jurors
- Employment-related records connected to the hiring process of judicial staff
- Adoption records and certain family law documents containing sensitive information about minors
When confidential data appears within an otherwise public record, the custodian will redact the protected portions and release the remainder. Requesters who believe a record has been improperly withheld may file an action in Superior Court to compel disclosure under the Open Records Act.
DeKalb County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case jurisdiction in DeKalb County is divided between the Superior Court (felonies, appeals) and the State Court (misdemeanors, traffic offenses). The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all felony case files, while the State Court Clerk handles misdemeanor and traffic records.
Where to Search
- Online: Use the Superior Court Odyssey portal for felony case lookups by defendant name or case number. State Court misdemeanor and traffic cases are searchable through the State Court website.
- eCertification: Certified copies of criminal filings from 2010 forward can be requested through the GSCCCA eCertification portal.
- Mail: Send a request letter to the Criminal Filing division with the defendant’s name, date of birth, case number, and charges. Include fees by money order or check. Address:
Clerk of Superior Court
Ground Floor, Attn: Criminal Filing
556 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 371-2836
Criminal Record Copy Fees (Superior Court)
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $2.50 per page |
Criminal History and Background Checks
The DeKalb County Police Department is the custodian for criminal history records and background checks. Requests may be initiated by emailing CriminalHistoryCheck@dekalbcountyga.gov. After receiving the estimated fees and applicable form, mail the completed form along with payment and a valid photo ID to:
DeKalb County Police Department
1960 West Exchange Place
Tucker, GA 30084
Email: dkpdprecords@dekalbcountyga.gov
In-person criminal history requests are accepted during limited hours: Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also processes statewide criminal history inquiries. Appointments must be made by calling (404) 244-2639 before visiting the Georgia Crime Information Center at P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037.
Arrest Records and Sheriff Resources
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office manages arrest records, booking information, and inmate data. Open Records Act requests can be submitted through the Sheriff’s online request portal. For booking photos or inmate lookup assistance, call (404) 298-8111. The Sheriff’s Public Information Officer can be reached at (404) 298-8144 or SheriffPIO@dekalbcountyga.gov.
Magistrate Court Criminal Warrants
Applications for criminal citations and arrest warrants are processed at the Magistrate Court Criminal Division, located at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. The criminal warrant window is open 8:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Contact the criminal division at (404) 294-2150.
DeKalb County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in DeKalb County are heard by the Superior Court (equity matters, contract claims, real property disputes, appeals from lower courts), the State Court (general civil claims), and the Magistrate Court (small claims up to $15,000, landlord-tenant dispossessory actions, and garnishments).
Superior Court Civil Records
The Clerk of Superior Court began mandatory eFiling on January 1, 2017, and transitioned to paperless operations on January 1, 2018. All new civil filings are submitted electronically through the eFile Georgia platform. Records can be searched through the Odyssey portal, and certified copies are available through the eCertification portal.
Civil and family cases from before 2012 must be requested from the archives by mail using the archive request form. The search fee for pre-1990 civil records is $20.00.
Superior Court Civil/Family Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (contract, damages, real property, appeals, writs) | $213.00 |
| Post-judgment motion (civil and family) | $58.00 |
| Transfer | $50.00 |
| Tax assessor appeal (BOE) | $25.00 |
| Temporary Protective Order | No charge |
| Unemployment judicial review | No charge |
| Sheriff service (per service) | $50.00 |
| Additional parties | $8.00 each |
| Subpoena (issuing, signed and sealed) | $5.00 |
Note: Effective July 1, 2024, the divorce filing fee increased to $217.00.
State Court Filing Fees
The State Court handles civil suits with filing fees of $242.00 for all suits or proceedings, plus a $35.00 service fee per defendant. Dispossessory actions cost $234.00 (includes service), with $10.00 for each additional defendant. Certified or exemplified copies are $5.00. The full Division A fee schedule is posted on the State Court website.
Magistrate Court Small Claims
The Magistrate Court hears claims of $15,000 or less. Filing fee is $54.00, plus $35.00 per defendant for service. Cases where the defendant files an answer are referred to mediation. Small claims forms and FAQs are available on the Magistrate Court website.
DeKalb County Family Court Records
The DeKalb County Superior Court exercises exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support modifications, paternity, adoption, legitimation, and termination of parental rights. The Clerk of Superior Court files and maintains all family law records. Family law forms for pro se litigants, including packets for uncontested and contested divorces, name changes, and legitimation, are available through the Superior Court’s website.
Divorce Records
Divorce filings are accessible through the Odyssey search portal and the eCertification portal. Copies may also be requested in person at the Clerk’s ground floor office (appointments required) or by mail to the Criminal Division address listed above. Fees for divorce record copies are $2.50 for a plain copy and $5.00 for a certified copy, plus $1.00 for each additional page.
Divorce Filing Fee: $217.00 (effective July 1, 2024), which covers one process server. A Vital Statistics Report is now required when filing a divorce action.
Marriage Records
The DeKalb County Probate Court issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. License applications are processed by appointment only, scheduled through the Probate Court appointment calendar after completing the online application. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID.
Marriage license fees:
- Without premarital education certificate: $66.00 (includes one certified copy) plus $2.00 shipping
- With premarital education certificate: $26.00 (includes one certified copy) plus $2.00 shipping
- Certified copy of marriage certificate, license, or application: $10.00 each
- Credit/debit card surcharge: 2.75% (minimum $2.00)
Payment accepted: money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Personal checks and American Express are not accepted. Marriage records can be searched and certified copies ordered through the Probate Court’s online records portal.
Hours for marriage license appointments: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily).
Birth and Death Records
The DeKalb County Board of Health Vital Records Office issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events recorded in the county from 1919 to present. Access is limited to the person named on the certificate, parents, adult children, grandparents, adult siblings, spouses, or authorized legal representatives.
Fees: $25.00 search fee (includes one certified copy if the record is found), $5.00 per additional copy, plus $5.00 processing fee for online orders. Payment by cash, credit/debit card, certified check, or money order (payable to DeKalb County Vital Records Office; personal checks not accepted).
Vital Records Office
Richardson Health Center, Suite 191
445 Winn Way
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 294-3857
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mail requests to: DeKalb County Vital Records Office, P.O. Box 639, Decatur, GA 30031. Include a completed birth certificate request form (or death certificate request form), a photocopy of valid ID, and payment.
DeKalb County Probate Court Records
The DeKalb County Probate Court has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships of adults and minors, involuntary mental health proceedings, and year’s support petitions. The court is led by Chief Judge Bedelia C. Hargrove.
Court Location
DeKalb County Probate Court
556 North McDonough Street, Room 1100 (Judicial Tower)
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 371-3022 (Estates) / (404) 687-3563 (General)
Fax: (404) 371-7055
How to Access Probate Records
Probate filings can be submitted electronically through eFile Georgia (select “DeKalb County Probate Court” as the location), by mail with appropriate fees to the address above, or by scheduling an in-person appointment through the Probate Court appointment calendar. Standard forms are available on the Probate Court forms page.
Probate Court Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Letters of Administration | $209.00 + $60.00 publication (if needed) + $10.00 per certified copy |
| Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form | $209.00 + $10.00 per certified copy of Letters Testamentary |
| Petition for Temporary Letters of Administration | $194.00 + $10.00 per certified copy |
| Petition for Year’s Support | $354.00 + $25.00 per real property (one included) |
| Petition for No Administration Necessary | $234.00 + $10.00 per certified copy + $25.00 per real property |
| Will filed for safekeeping | $15.00 |
| Caveat | $75.00 |
| Estate motion | $75.00 |
| Petition for Discharge of Personal Representative | $209.00 |
Guardianship and Conservatorship Fees
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Appointment of Guardian/Conservator | $784.00 ($809.00 with GA real property) |
| Emergency Guardian/Conservator | $709.00 ($734.00 with GA real property) |
| Temporary Guardianship of a Minor (cash only) | $294.00 |
| Permanent Guardianship of a Minor (cash only) | $369.00 |
| Petition to Terminate Temporary Guardianship (cash only) | $59.00 |
| Letters of Conservatorship of Minor | $219.00 |
| Resignation/Appointment of Successor Guardian | $519.00 |
Auditing and Copy Fees
Inventory and annual return filings cost $40.00 each, and a final return is also $40.00. Discharge petitions are $209.00. Record copies are $1.00 per page, certified copies are $10.00 plus $1.00 per page, certified letters are $10.00 each, and exemplified copies are $15.00 plus $1.00 per page.
Service fees within the probate system are $50.00 for sheriff service per person, $2.00 for first class mail, $16.00 for restricted delivery within Georgia, and $12.00 for certified mail outside Georgia. A 2.75% processing fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted; American Express is not. Bills larger than $20 are not accepted for cash payments. The complete fee schedule PDF is posted on the Probate Court’s website.
DeKalb County Court Directory
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | 556 N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030 | (404) 371-2836 |
| State Court | 556 N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030 | (404) 371-2261 |
| State Court – Traffic (Division B) | 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA 30032 | (404) 294-2099 |
| Probate Court | 556 N. McDonough St., Room 1100, Decatur, GA 30030 | (404) 687-3563 |
| Magistrate Court (Civil) | 556 N. McDonough St., Room 230, Decatur, GA 30030 | (404) 371-2261 |
| Magistrate Court (Criminal) | 556 N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030 | (404) 294-2150 |
| Juvenile Court | 4309 Memorial Dr., Decatur, GA 30032 | (404) 294-2700 |