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Enter first name, last name, and state to prepare a court records search.
Search DeKalb County court records online in 2026 for Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, civil cases, criminal cases, family and divorce records, traffic citations, evictions, small claims, land records, certified copies, jail custody lookup, and federal court records.
Need DeKalb County Court Records Right Now?
Start with the correct official court office. DeKalb County does not use one single records office for every case type. Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, Sheriff jail custody records, land records, and federal records are handled through different official systems.
DeKalb County Court Records Overview
Dekalb County court records are official records created by courts serving DeKalb County, Georgia. These records may include case numbers, parties, charges, pleadings, docket entries, hearing dates, judgments, orders, dispossessory filings, probate matters, traffic citations, criminal dispositions, family law records, and public documents.
DeKalb County court records are not all stored in one place. The Clerk of Superior Court manages Superior Court records and land records. The State and Magistrate Courts Clerk’s Office maintains State Court and Magistrate Court records. Probate Court handles estate, guardianship, marriage and related probate records. The Sheriff’s Office handles jail custody information, not full court case history.
| Record Needed | Official Starting Point | Search Detail to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court civil case | Clerk of Superior Court | Case number, party name or document detail |
| Felony criminal case | Clerk of Superior Court / Superior Court | Case number, defendant name or criminal record search |
| Family or divorce case | Clerk of Superior Court | Case number, spouse name, party name or filing date |
| State Court misdemeanor | State Court Clerk | Case number, defendant name or court notice |
| Traffic citation | State Court Division B | Citation number, defendant name or ticket information |
| Eviction / dispossessory | Magistrate Court | Case number, landlord name or tenant name |
| Small claims | Magistrate Court | Case number, plaintiff or defendant name |
| Probate estate | Probate Court | Estate name, decedent name, guardian name or case detail |
| Current jail custody | Sheriff’s Office | Inmate name or booking information |
| Federal case | PACER | Federal case number or party name |
Which DeKalb County Court Records Portal Should You Use?
The fastest way to avoid bad search results is to match the case type to the right office. A Superior Court felony record will not be the same as a State Court misdemeanor, a Magistrate dispossessory case, a Probate Court estate file, or a Sheriff jail search.
DeKalb County court records official source map
| Official Office | Records It Handles | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court | Superior Court records, civil and criminal filings, family matters, land records, real estate, trade names, appeals and related filings | Use for Superior Court case records, certified copies and land-record searches. |
| Superior Court | Superior Court judicial operations, family law, felony criminal, civil and court calendars | Use for court operations, court administration and Superior Court guidance. |
| State Court | State Court civil records, criminal misdemeanor case files, traffic cases, garnishments and related State Court records | Use for State Court civil, misdemeanor and traffic matters. |
| Magistrate Court | Civil, criminal, ordinance, dispossessory, small claims, warrants and landlord-tenant matters | Use for evictions, small claims, certain warrants, ordinance and Magistrate case dockets. |
| Probate Court | Estates, wills, guardianships, marriage and probate-related records | Use for probate records, estate searches and records appointments. |
| Sheriff’s Office | Jail custody, inmate lookup and Sheriff open records | Use for current custody, booking or jail information only. |
| PACER | Federal civil and criminal court records | Use for federal cases filed in U.S. District Court, not county court. |
DeKalb County Superior Court Records Search
The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court manages Superior Court records and land records for DeKalb County. Superior Court records can include felony criminal cases, major civil cases, family law, divorce, legitimation, custody, support, protective orders, appeals and real estate-related filings.
How to search DeKalb County Superior Court records online
- Open the Clerk of Superior Court website Go to dksuperiorclerk.com and use the court-record or judicial-record search resources.
- Use the correct record area Choose civil/family, criminal, real estate, archives, eCertification or other department based on your record type.
- Search by case number first If you have a case number, use it before trying a name search. It is the cleanest search method.
- Use party name carefully Try exact spelling, maiden names, former names, business names, middle initials and punctuation variations.
- Request official copies if needed For court proof, use the Clerk’s copy instructions or the Georgia eCertification portal when available.
Superior Court records people commonly search
- DeKalb County felony case search for Superior Court criminal cases.
- DeKalb County divorce records for family law matters.
- DeKalb County civil court records for lawsuits and Superior Court civil filings.
- DeKalb County protective order records where public and not restricted.
- DeKalb County land records through the Clerk’s real estate / official records search.
DeKalb County State Court Records Search
DeKalb County State Court handles important civil and misdemeanor matters. The State and Magistrate Courts Clerk’s Office is the official record keeper for State and Magistrate Courts. State Court resources include case search, traffic citation payment, e-filing, electronic forms, evictions and court directory pages.
When to use DeKalb County State Court search
| Search Intent | Use State Court When | Helpful Detail |
|---|---|---|
| State Court civil case search | The matter was filed as a State Court civil case | Case number, plaintiff, defendant or attorney |
| Misdemeanor case search | The case is a criminal misdemeanor in State Court | Defendant name, case number or court notice |
| Traffic citation lookup | The citation belongs to State Court Division B | Citation number, name or ticket details |
| Garnishment record | The case is in State Court garnishments | Case number, employer, plaintiff or defendant |
| Online payments | The court allows payment for that citation or case | Read the notice before paying |
How to search State Court records
- Open the official State Court website Go to dekalbgastatecourt.gov.
- Use the Case Search option The State Court website lists a case-search option for State Court civil and criminal misdemeanor cases.
- Choose payment only when proper For traffic citations, read the court notice first. Some cases may require appearance instead of simple payment.
- Contact the Clerk when unclear The Clerk’s Office lists 404-371-2261 as a main phone number for State and Magistrate Court clerk matters.
DeKalb County Magistrate Court Records Search
DeKalb County Magistrate Court is known as “the people’s court” and handles civil, criminal and ordinance matters. It is the common starting point for dispossessory / eviction, small claims, garnishment, landlord-tenant disputes, bad checks, warrants, ordinance matters and some preliminary criminal processes.
How to find a DeKalb Magistrate Court case
- Open the Magistrate Court website Go to dekalbcountymagistratecourt.com.
- Use Find My Case or docket resources The Find Your Case page explains that users can view court dockets by selecting the court date and opening the official docket PDF.
- Search by date when needed If the docket system is date-based, use the exact hearing date from your notice.
- Confirm division and room Magistrate civil matters, criminal matters and ordinance matters can have different locations or contact numbers.
- Call the Clerk if details are missing The Magistrate Court site lists Clerk’s Office and Civil Division contact numbers for case help.
Magistrate Court records most users need
- DeKalb County eviction records for dispossessory landlord-tenant cases.
- DeKalb County small claims records for minor civil money disputes.
- DeKalb County garnishment records for post-judgment collection matters.
- DeKalb County warrant applications for certain criminal-warrant processes.
- DeKalb County ordinance case records for local ordinance matters.
DeKalb County Probate Court Records Search
DeKalb County Probate Court handles estate, wills, guardianship, marriage, weapons-carry and probate-related matters. Probate records are not ordinary State Court or Superior Court records. If you need an estate file, guardianship record, will information or probate appointment, start with Probate Court.
How to request DeKalb County Probate Court records
- Open the Probate Court website Go to dekalbprobatega.com.
- Use the Records page The Probate Court records page explains that users should schedule an appointment to review records or request information about records.
- Prepare the probate details Use the decedent name, estate name, guardianship name, case number, filing date or petitioner name.
- Contact Probate Court before visiting The Probate Court records page lists contact details for scheduling record review and record questions.
- Ask whether certified copies are required Banks, title companies and agencies may require certified probate documents.
556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030
Records contact listed by Probate Court: 404-371-2701
Official site: DeKalb County Probate Court
Search DeKalb County Court Records by Case Number
Case number search is usually the fastest and most accurate method for DeKalb County court records. A case number may appear on a summons, ticket, citation, complaint, indictment, accusation, divorce filing, order, e-file receipt, dispossessory notice, probate document, or attorney letter.
Micro steps for DeKalb County case number lookup
- Find the full number Look at court papers, notices, tickets, bonds, e-filing receipts, clerk emails or attorney documents.
- Identify the court Check whether the number belongs to Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court or federal court.
- Use the matching official portal Do not search a Probate Court case in State Court or a Magistrate dispossessory case in Superior Court.
- Enter the number exactly Keep letters, dashes, court-code details and leading zeros unless the portal says otherwise.
- Save the result Write down the case number, court, party names, filing date and document names before requesting copies.
Search DeKalb County Court Records by Name, Party or Business
Name search is useful when you do not know the case number, but it is weaker than exact case lookup. DeKalb County has many people and businesses with similar names. Always confirm the case type, court, filing date, party role and docket details before relying on a name match.
How to search by name without choosing the wrong person
- Use the legal name first Search full first name and last name as they may appear on court records.
- Try known variations Use middle initial, maiden name, former name, hyphenated spelling, business name, LLC, Inc. and abbreviation versions.
- Filter by case type A criminal case, divorce case, dispossessory case and probate file may appear in different systems.
- Confirm identity Review party role, case date, court, charge, claim type, attorney and hearing entries.
- Request certified proof for official use A search result is not the same as a certified disposition, certified judgment or certified decree.
DeKalb County Criminal Court Records: Felony, Misdemeanor, Warrants and Final Dispositions
Criminal records in DeKalb County can be spread across Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court and Sheriff systems. Felony matters are generally Superior Court records. Misdemeanor cases may appear in State Court. Magistrate Court may handle warrant applications and preliminary matters. Current custody is searched through the Sheriff.
Where to search DeKalb County criminal records
| Criminal Record Needed | Use This Source | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Felony criminal case | Clerk of Superior Court / Superior Court | Search by case number or defendant name. |
| Final disposition copy | Clerk of Superior Court Criminal Department | Certified dispositions may be requested from the Clerk. |
| Misdemeanor case | State Court | Search State Court criminal misdemeanor resources. |
| Criminal warrant process | Magistrate Court Criminal Division | Check Magistrate Court criminal matters and clerk instructions. |
| Current inmate custody | DeKalb County Sheriff | Custody search is not the same as a court docket. |
| State prison offender search | Georgia Department of Corrections | Use only when state correctional custody applies. |
DeKalb County Civil, Family, Divorce and Protective Order Records
Superior Court and State Court both handle civil matters, but they are not the same. Superior Court is commonly used for divorce, family law, felony-related proceedings, major civil cases and certain protective orders. State Court handles civil and misdemeanor matters under its jurisdiction.
DeKalb County divorce records search
Divorce and family law records generally belong with the Superior Court Clerk. Search by case number or party name. If you need proof of divorce, request a certified copy of the final decree or order from the Clerk of Superior Court rather than using a screenshot.
DeKalb County family court records
Family cases may include custody, child support, legitimation, modification, contempt, parenting plans, protective orders and domestic-related filings. Some documents may be restricted if they include children’s information, protected addresses, financial records or sensitive data.
DeKalb County civil case lookup
For a civil case, first identify whether it is Superior Court, State Court or Magistrate Court. Then search the proper office. If the case is a federal civil rights, bankruptcy-related or federal agency matter, use PACER instead.
DeKalb County Traffic Citation and State Court Division B Records
Traffic citations in DeKalb County may be handled through State Court Division B depending on the ticket. The State Court website lists online services for paying traffic citations and searching State Court civil and criminal misdemeanor cases.
How to search or handle a DeKalb traffic citation
- Read your citation first Check the court name, citation number, appearance date and payment instructions.
- Use the State Court website Go to DeKalb County State Court and use traffic citation or case search resources.
- Confirm whether appearance is required Some citations may be payable online, while others require court appearance.
- Save payment proof Keep receipt numbers, confirmation emails and court notices.
- Call the clerk when uncertain Use the State and Magistrate Courts Clerk’s Office contact resources if the online record is unclear.
DeKalb County Eviction, Small Claims, Garnishment and Landlord-Tenant Records
DeKalb County Magistrate Court is the main starting point for small claims and landlord-tenant dispossessory cases. The Magistrate Court’s small claims page lists a filing fee of $54 and a service fee of $35 for one defendant. The dispossessory page also lists a $54 filing fee and a $35 service fee per named defendant.
How to search DeKalb County eviction records
- Open Magistrate Court resources Use DeKalb Magistrate Court.
- Use Find Your Case or docket lookup If the case is on a docket, follow the court’s date-based docket instructions.
- Search landlord and tenant names Try property management name, tenant name, landlord name and exact case number if available.
- Review final status carefully A filing does not always mean eviction was granted. Check dismissal, consent judgment, writ and final order details.
- Request copies if needed For official use, ask the clerk for copies or certified records.
How to search DeKalb County small claims records
Use the Magistrate Court civil resources. Small claims can involve money disputes, services, contracts, unpaid balances, landlord-tenant money claims and minor civil disputes. Search by case number or party name, then confirm judgment status and hearing details.
DeKalb County Court Records Copies, Certified Copies and Fees
Online search is useful, but official use often requires a court copy or certified copy. Certified court records may be needed for employment, licensing, immigration, divorce proof, name change proof, appeal packets, title work, probate, school records or government filing.
Superior Court copy fees and certified copies
| Copy Type | Official Fee Listed | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Regular copies | $1.00 per page | Plain paper copies for general use. |
| Certified copies | $2.50 first page, $0.50 each additional page | Official certified document proof. |
| Portal document purchase | First page visible free; document purchase/viewing may be $0.50 per page | Online document review where portal access allows. |
| Public access terminal copies | $1.00 per page | Public Access Terminal document purchase. |
| eCertified documents | Through GSCCCA eCertification portal | Tamper-proof electronic certified records where available. |
How to request certified copies
- Identify the exact court Superior, State, Magistrate, Probate and federal courts have different records offices.
- Collect case details Write down case number, party names, document title, filing date and court division.
- Use the correct copy method Use the clerk’s office, portal purchase, mail request, or GSCCCA eCertification when available.
- Ask if certification is required A plain copy is not the same as a certified copy.
- Confirm payment method Court offices may accept only specific payment types for some services.
DeKalb County Jail, Inmate Search and Arrest Record Context
The DeKalb County Sheriff provides jail and inmate information resources. This helps with current custody lookup, but it is not a full court case search. A person can be in custody before final disposition, and a person can have a court case without being in jail.
How to use jail information correctly
- Start with the Sheriff website Use the official DeKalb County Sheriff website for inmate lookup and jail information.
- Search custody details Use the inmate lookup option where available.
- Search court records separately If charges were filed, use Superior Court, State Court or Magistrate Court records to review case activity.
- Do not assume final outcome Booking or custody information does not equal conviction.
- Use open records only when proper For Sheriff records, follow the Sheriff’s open records and public information instructions.
DeKalb County Land Records, Deeds, Liens and Real Estate Records
The Clerk of Superior Court also records, processes and archives documents related to real estate. Land records are separate from ordinary case dockets. Use land records when you need deeds, real estate instruments, liens, plats, recorded documents, title reference or property document history.
When to search land records instead of court records
| Need | Use | Search Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Deed or real estate recording | Clerk of Superior Court real estate / official records search | Grantor, grantee, instrument number or recording date. |
| Tax lien or recorded lien | Official records search | Name, filing date or document number. |
| Court judgment | Court case records | Case number or party name. |
| Property-title question | Land records plus title/legal review | Recorded documents alone may not answer legal title risk. |
| Federal lien or bankruptcy issue | Land records and PACER where relevant | Search both if federal proceedings are involved. |
Sealed, Restricted, Juvenile and Expunged DeKalb County Court Records
Not every DeKalb County court record is public online. Some records may be sealed, restricted, juvenile, adoption-related, protected by law, expunged, restricted under Georgia record-restriction rules, or available only to parties and attorneys.
Records that may be limited online
- Juvenile court records and child-related matters.
- Adoption records and some parentage-related filings.
- Sealed or restricted criminal records.
- Family violence and protective-address information.
- Medical, mental health, financial and sensitive identity data.
- Expunged or restricted records under Georgia law.
- Older archived documents not fully digitized online.
Federal Court Records for DeKalb County Cases
Federal court records are not searched through DeKalb County portals. If the case involves federal criminal charges, federal civil rights, bankruptcy-related matters, federal employment, federal agencies, patent, copyright, federal taxes or federal court orders, use PACER.
How to search federal court records
- Open PACER Go to pacer.uscourts.gov.
- Select the correct federal court Many DeKalb County federal matters are connected to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
- Search by federal case number or party name Federal case numbers are different from county case numbers.
- Review PACER fees PACER may charge for docket reports and document downloads.
- Request federal certified copies from federal court DeKalb County clerks cannot certify federal court documents.
Richard B. Russell Federal Building and United States Courthouse
75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Federal records: PACER
DeKalb County Courthouse Locations and Contacts
For court records, copies and clerk help, use the correct DeKalb County court office. The main courthouse is in Decatur, but criminal, traffic, Magistrate and jail-related services may use different offices or facilities.
DeKalb County Courthouse map
556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Clerk of Superior Court: Ground Floor · Phone: 404-371-2836
State and Magistrate Courts Clerk: Phone: 404-371-2261
Probate Court: 1100 Judicial Tower · Phone: 404-371-2701
Useful official DeKalb County court links
| Need | Official Resource |
|---|---|
| Superior Court Clerk records and departments | DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court |
| Superior Court administration and calendars | DeKalb Superior Court |
| State Court civil, misdemeanor and traffic resources | DeKalb State Court |
| Magistrate Court civil, criminal and ordinance matters | DeKalb Magistrate Court |
| Magistrate docket / find your case page | Find Your Case |
| Probate records and appointments | Probate Court Records |
| eCertified Georgia court records | GSCCCA eCertification |
| Federal court records | PACER |
Insider Search Tips for DeKalb County Court Records
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search DeKalb County court records online for free?
Start with the official court that handled the case. Use the DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court for Superior Court records, DeKalb State Court for State Court cases, DeKalb Magistrate Court for small claims and dispossessory cases, and Probate Court for estate records.
What is the official DeKalb County court records website?
The official Clerk of Superior Court website is dksuperiorclerk.com. State Court records are handled through dekalbgastatecourt.gov, Magistrate Court records through dekalbcountymagistratecourt.com, and Probate Court records through dekalbprobatega.com.
Can I search DeKalb County court records by name?
Yes. Many DeKalb County court systems allow party-name search or docket search, but spelling must be accurate. Try full legal name, maiden name, former name, business name and case number when available.
Where do I search DeKalb County felony records?
Felony criminal cases are generally Superior Court records. Use the DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court criminal record resources or the official Superior Court records tools.
Where do I search DeKalb County misdemeanor records?
Misdemeanor records are commonly handled through DeKalb County State Court. Use the State Court website and Clerk’s Office resources for misdemeanor case records.
Where do I search DeKalb County divorce records?
Divorce records are generally Superior Court family records. Search through the Clerk of Superior Court and request certified divorce copies from the Clerk if official proof is required.
How do I search DeKalb County traffic tickets?
Use the DeKalb County State Court website for traffic citation resources and payment options. Read your citation first because some tickets may require court appearance.
Where do I search DeKalb County eviction records?
Eviction or dispossessory cases are commonly handled through DeKalb Magistrate Court. Use the Magistrate Court website and Find Your Case or docket resources.
How much does DeKalb Magistrate Court small claims filing cost?
The official small claims page lists a $54 filing fee and a $35 service fee for one defendant. Additional defendants add more service costs. Verify current fees before filing.
How much does a DeKalb dispossessory eviction filing cost?
The Magistrate Court landlord-tenant dispossessory page lists a $54 filing fee and a $35 service fee for each named defendant. Verify current fees directly with the court before filing.
How do I get certified copies of DeKalb County court records?
Use the proper clerk office or GSCCCA eCertification if the record is available for electronic certification. Superior Court certified copies are listed at $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.
Is the DeKalb County Sheriff inmate search the same as court records?
No. Sheriff inmate lookup shows custody or jail information. Court records come from the court clerk and show case activity, docket entries, court orders and final disposition where public.
Where do I search DeKalb County probate records?
Use DeKalb County Probate Court records resources. The Probate Court records page says to schedule an appointment to review records or request information about records.
Where do I search DeKalb County land records?
Use the Clerk of Superior Court real estate and official records search resources for deeds, liens, plats and recorded property documents.
Why can’t I find a DeKalb County court record online?
The record may be in another court, sealed, restricted, juvenile, archived, not digitized, filed under a different spelling, federal, too new or available only through clerk assistance.
Are juvenile records public in DeKalb County?
Many juvenile records are restricted and may not be visible through public online search. Access depends on Georgia law, court rules, judge orders and the requester’s role.
How do I search federal court records for DeKalb County?
Use PACER for federal court records. Federal cases are not searched through DeKalb County Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court or Probate Court portals.
What is the DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court phone number?
The Clerk of Superior Court contact page lists 404-371-2836 for the office at 556 North McDonough Street, Ground Floor, Decatur, Georgia 30030.
Final Summary
For dekalb county court records, start by identifying the correct court. Use the DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court for Superior Court civil, felony, family, divorce and land records. Use State Court for State Court civil, misdemeanor and traffic matters. Use Magistrate Court for evictions, small claims, garnishments, warrants and ordinance cases. Use Probate Court for estates and guardianships.
Use the Sheriff’s Office only for current jail custody information and use PACER for federal court records. If a record is missing online, it may still exist but be sealed, restricted, juvenile, archived, federal, filed under another spelling or available only from the clerk.