Find People in DeKalb County
DeKalb County borders Atlanta on the east side and is one of the largest counties in Georgia by population. A people search in DeKalb County covers court files, land records, probate documents, and open records held by county departments. The county seat is Decatur, where the main offices are at 1300 Commerce Drive. DeKalb County considers access to public records of high importance and has set up multiple ways for residents and the public to request files. With close to 765,000 people, the county processes a high volume of cases and records each year, giving you many paths to find someone through the public record system.
DeKalb County Quick Facts
DeKalb County Open Records
The DeKalb County Open Records page explains how to file requests for public records. After the county gets a request, the department in question has three business days to figure out whether the records are in its custody. That three-day window comes from O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. DeKalb County charges the hourly rate of the lowest-paid staff member who can handle the work. The first 15 minutes are free. Copies cost no more than ten cents per page for letter or legal size.
If the cost of your request will go over 25 dollars, the department must tell you first. Costs above 500 dollars need up-front payment. Specific departments have their own records custodians. Police records go through dkpdopenrecords@dekalbcountyga.gov. Voter registration requests go to ElectionsORR@dekalbcountyga.gov. Watershed Management has its own email too. The CEO and Board of Commissioners are not the custodians of all DeKalb County records, so you need to send your request to the right office. The main county phone is 404-371-2000, and the general email is 311CCC@dekalbcountyga.gov.
The DeKalb County open records request page is shown here.
This page covers the full process for filing a records request in DeKalb County, including costs and response times.
DeKalb Superior Court Records
The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court manages all Superior Court records and land records for the county. Access to these public records is open to citizens and the legal community. The Clerk's office handles appeals, child support cases, divorce decrees, and land records. You can reach the office at 404-371-2836. For a people search in DeKalb County, the Superior Court records are one of the most useful sources because they cover both civil and criminal matters tied to individuals.
The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court portal is shown below.
This site gives you access to court case records and land files maintained by the DeKalb County Clerk.
The DeKalb County State Court covers misdemeanors and certain civil cases. Checking both the Superior Court and State Court records gives a fuller picture of someone's case history in DeKalb County. The Landmark Web portal is where you search for deeds, liens, and other property documents. Land records often show up in a people search because they link a name to a physical address and transaction dates.
Here is the DeKalb County land records search through Landmark Web.
Property records in DeKalb County are searchable by name and can show ownership history going back many years.
DeKalb Probate Court Records
The DeKalb County Probate Court handles marriage records, estate files, and guardianship cases. To schedule a visit or ask about records, email shharrison@dekalbcountyga.gov or call 404-371-2701. The Probate Court office is at 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030. Marriage records can be searched online through the Probate Court's marriage records portal.
These records are a strong source for a DeKalb County people search. Marriage records show names, dates, and sometimes addresses. Estate records show family connections. The Probate Court phone for general questions is 404-371-2601. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, most probate files in DeKalb County are public and open to anyone who asks. Guardianship files may have some restrictions due to privacy rules, but marriages and estates are generally accessible.
The DeKalb County Probate Court records page is shown here.
Marriage and estate searches through the DeKalb County Probate Court can help confirm a person's identity and family ties.
Note: DeKalb County Probate Court requires appointments for in-person records review, so call ahead before visiting.
DeKalb Sheriff and County Resources
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office is the chief law enforcement body for the county. The office handles warrants, civil process, and jail operations. Inmate search and jail records are typically available through the Sheriff's portal. For a people search, this can help you find out if someone is in custody or has an active warrant in DeKalb County.
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office site is shown below.
The Sheriff's website provides links to inmate records and other law enforcement resources in DeKalb County.
Tax records round out a DeKalb County people search. The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner has property tax data that shows ownership and mailing addresses. The DeKalb County official website ties all departments together. Marriage and divorce records information is also on the county court site. Between the Clerk of Superior Court, Probate Court, Sheriff's Office, and Tax Commissioner, DeKalb County offers a broad set of tools for anyone looking up public records on a person under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.