DeKalb County Court Docket Records
DeKalb County is one of Georgia's most densely populated counties, and its court docket covers a broad mix of civil, criminal, and family case filings maintained through the Clerk of Superior Court in Decatur. This page explains how to search DeKalb County court records online and how to request copies through the clerk's office or statewide Georgia tools.
DeKalb County At a Glance
DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court
The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court is at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Reach the clerk by phone at (404) 371-2261. This office maintains all DeKalb County Superior Court records, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, real estate, and family court documents.
Every case filed in DeKalb Superior Court has a docket number and a running record of filings, orders, and hearing dates. These court records are public under Georgia's Open Records Act. The clerk's office indexes records and makes them available for inspection in person or through online tools. DeKalb County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, divorce, custody, alimony, equity matters, and appeals from lower courts.
eFiling is available for DeKalb County Superior Court through the GSCCCA eFiling portal. Attorneys and self-represented parties can submit documents electronically and pay filing fees through the system. The court's case management system updates the docket once the clerk processes each submission.
The DeKalb County State Court website provides information on civil and criminal case filings handled alongside Superior Court records through the clerk's office.
DeKalb County Court Docket: Online Search Options
Searching DeKalb County court docket records online involves a few different tools depending on what you need. The statewide re:SearchGA portal is the main starting point for Superior Court case searches in DeKalb County. You register for a free account and can search by party name, case number, or filing date range. The system shows docket entries in chronological order, giving you a clear picture of what has happened in a case and what is coming up.
The GSCCCA statewide index covers DeKalb County real estate records and civil case indexes. This is the right tool if you're searching for liens, deed recordings, UCC filings, or property-related court matters. The GSCCCA system lets you search by name or document type across all recorded filings in the county.
The Georgia Courts E-Access Portal offers another statewide search option. It connects to electronic records from participating courts, which can include both Superior and State Court records in DeKalb County. Try this if the re:SearchGA search doesn't return results for the case you're looking for.
Note: DeKalb County's State Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil disputes under $25,000. That court is also at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, and shares the (404) 371-2261 phone number with Superior Court. If you're unsure which court handled your matter, call ahead before visiting.
Requesting Certified Copies of DeKalb County Court Records
Certified copies of DeKalb County court docket documents can be requested online through the eCertification service at GSCCCA. This system runs around the clock and delivers tamper-proof, secured PDF copies to your email after you pay the applicable fee. It covers both court records and real estate recordings from DeKalb County.
Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, the clerk charges $2.50 for the first page of a certified copy and $0.50 for each additional page. Uncertified copies cost $0.50 per page. These same fees apply whether you request copies in person, by mail, or through the eCertification system. For large case files, getting a quote from the clerk's office first can help you plan the cost.
In-person requests at the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court are handled at 556 North McDonough Street in Decatur. Come during business hours (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) with the case number and names of all parties. For mail requests, send the same information along with a check or money order payable to the DeKalb County Clerk. Include your return address so the clerk can mail copies back to you when ready.
Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-74 governs access to these records. The clerk must respond within three business days of receiving your request. The first 15 minutes of staff search time are free. Records sealed by court order or restricted by state statute are not available under open records requests.
Family Court Records in DeKalb County
DeKalb County Superior Court handles all domestic relations matters filed in the county. That includes divorce filings, child custody petitions, alimony disputes, and adoptions. These case filings are part of the Superior Court docket and are generally public records unless a judge issues a sealing order. Certain sensitive documents within family cases, such as financial disclosures and children's identifying information, may be restricted.
If you need to search for a specific family court case in DeKalb County, start with re:SearchGA. Enter the party's name and filter by case type if the system allows it. If the case involves a minor or was sealed by order of the court, it will not appear in public docket searches. In that situation, contact the DeKalb County Clerk's office directly to ask what records, if any, are available.
Adoptions finalized in DeKalb County are sealed records under Georgia law. Access to those files requires a court order or, in some cases, participation in the state's voluntary adoption registry. The Clerk's office can point you to the right process, but the records themselves won't be available through a standard docket search.
DeKalb County Court Filing Alerts and eFiling
Anyone who wants to track new filings in DeKalb County under a specific name can use the FANS filing alert system through GSCCCA. You set up a name-based alert, and the system emails you when a new document is filed under that name in DeKalb County's records. This tool is practical for attorneys, property owners, and others who need to monitor filings on an ongoing basis.
Electronic filings for DeKalb County Superior Court go through the GSCCCA eFiling portal. Registered users can submit documents and pay fees online. Once the DeKalb County Clerk processes the submission, the filing appears in the case docket. This is the standard method for attorneys who file frequently in DeKalb courts.
For certified copies of filed documents, the eCertification service is the fastest option. It handles requests for both court records and real estate documents around the clock, without requiring a visit to the courthouse. This service is especially useful when you need a certified copy quickly for use in another legal proceeding.
Cities in DeKalb County
DeKalb County includes several major cities whose residents file cases in the county's Superior Court system. Each city below has a page with more detail on accessing local court records.
Nearby Counties
DeKalb County borders several other Georgia counties in the greater Atlanta region. Cases involving parties or events across county lines may have relevant records in these neighboring court systems.