Direct links to official DeKalb County, Georgia public records: courts, criminal, vital, property, business, licenses, and more.
Population
770K
County Seat
Decatur
Libraries
24
Schools
154
Searching DeKalb County: what to expect
DeKalb County does more online than most: 6 county-run sources below, which keeps courthouse trips to a minimum. The county docket is online at portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud — one of the more useful local sources, since Georgia has no single statewide court search. Locally, propertyappraisal.dekalbcountyga.gov takes care of parcel and property-tax data, while co.dekalb.ga.us covers deeds and recorded documents. One gap: vital records aren't published by the county itself. Use the Georgia vital records page for those.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all DeKalb County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Georgia state publishers on the review date. 4 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
DeKalb County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for DeKalb County, Georgia — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
770,307
Population
Census estimate
284,730
Households
Census estimate
$76,044
Median income
Annual household
$301,100
Median home value
Census ACS
Decatur
County seat
In Georgia
DeKalb County Records Availability Map
Criminal records
1 source
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
5 sources
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Step 1 — Start at the DeKalb County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the DeKalb County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Georgia statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Georgia state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About DeKalb County Records
MYTH"DeKalb County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for DeKalb County are held by the Georgia state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in DeKalb County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have DeKalb County data."
FACTOnly the official Georgia state repository has verified, current DeKalb County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The DeKalb County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe DeKalb County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Probate court records for Dekalb County, Georgia — estates, wills, and guardianships. Genealogists rely on these files — a will can name three generations in one page. Case files include inventories and accountings, not just the will itself.
Voter registration and election information for Dekalb County, Georgia. It is the fastest way to verify a registration survived a move or name change. District assignments here settle which races you actually vote in.
Property assessment records for Dekalb County, Georgia. This office sets the values that property taxes are billed on, and its data is public in every state. Values follow the reassessment cycle, so a recent sale may not show immediately.
The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner's Office makes every effort to produce the most accurate information possible. Information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only.
Additional information on the appeal http://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax-real-and-personal-property The following Taxing Authority provided a certified Estimated Roll-Back Millage Rate of the Taxing Authority’s general operation and maintenance fund to · the county board of tax
Court case information for Dekalb County, Georgia. Civil, criminal, probate, and traffic divisions may index separately — check each if a search runs dry. Hearing calendars on the same system show what is coming up, not just what happened.
Current inmate roster for Dekalb County, Georgia, published by the sheriff's office. Holds for other agencies are flagged, which is why some names linger after local charges resolve.
Atlanta, GA – On Thursday, August 6, 2015, the DeKalb County Police Department requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate an officer use of force incident and the subsequent death of Troy Lee Robinson, 33. The initial information provided to the GBI was that DeKalb County officers conducted a traffic stop for a tag violation in the area of 2150 Flat Shoals Road in Atlanta, DeKalb County, GA.
Voter registration and election information for Dekalb County, Georgia. Sample ballots tied to your registration beat the generic ones — they show your exact races. Election offices update the file continuously; a lookup today reflects the live roll.
Please provide a detailed explanation of your complaint. Include names, addresses, dates, etc. regarding all parties involved · Your complaint will be given serious consideration by the board and further investigative action may be taken, if appropriate.
Official public records resource for Dekalb County, Georgia. Government sites reorganize often; if a link breaks, the office's homepage will carry the new path. Hours, fees, and request forms live here and stay current.
Georgia's corporate registry. Search entities by name, officer, or registered agent, and pull filing history and status free from the Secretary of State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County court cases are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. Search the IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA portal: https://georgiacourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DeKalb_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE.pdf. For federal matters, see PACER.
Can my employer see a sealed record in Georgia?
Generally, most private employers running a standard name-based check cannot see a sealed Georgia record. However, government employers, law enforcement, schools, healthcare facilities, and any role requiring a fingerprint-based check can see sealed records under specific statutory exemptions. Confirm specifics with the sealing court.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in Georgia?
In Georgia, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by Georgia law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
What's the difference between a court record and a criminal record in Georgia?
A court record shows everything filed in a specific case — pleadings, motions, judgments. A criminal record (rap sheet) is a person-centric history from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that aggregates arrests and dispositions across all courts in Georgia. Court records are searched by case; criminal records by person.