Search Dunwoody Genealogy
Dunwoody genealogy records are maintained at the DeKalb County Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. Dunwoody incorporated in 2008, but the area has been part of DeKalb County since 1842. Marriage licenses, wills, estate files, land deeds, and court records for Dunwoody families are all filed at the DeKalb County courthouse. County records date back to 1842, among the oldest in the Atlanta metro area.
Dunwoody Quick Facts
DeKalb County Probate Court
The DeKalb County Probate Court is where you find most Dunwoody genealogy records. Marriage licenses go back to 1842. The court holds wills, estate inventories, guardianship files, and letters of administration. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court handles all estate and marriage matters for DeKalb County.
The courthouse address is 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Call (404) 371-2836. You can visit the court in person or send requests by mail with a search fee. The DeKalb County website has contact information, forms, and fee schedules.
DeKalb County records start 11 years before Fulton County. That means families in the Dunwoody area may have earlier records in DeKalb than you would find in neighboring Fulton County.
| Address | 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (404) 371-2836 |
| Website | dekalbcountyga.gov |
Superior Court and Land Records
Land deeds, divorce records, and civil case files for Dunwoody are at the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk at the courthouse in Decatur. Land records go back to 1842.
Dunwoody was a crossroads community for generations before it became a city. Land records show who owned property in this area, when it changed hands, and what families were neighbors. Deed books and plat maps from the 1800s can reveal connections between families that census records alone won't show. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, these records are public.
Divorce records at the Superior Court can help too. They name children, divide assets, and sometimes give birth dates or places of origin. Check these when you need to confirm family details.
DeKalb History Center Resources
The DeKalb History Center in Decatur holds genealogy collections for the county. They have church records, historical photos, and key court documents. The Superior Court Minutes Book A covers 1836 to 1843. Superior Court Records from 1860 to 1910 are also available. Decatur City Court Minute Books from 1923 to 1956 round out the collection.
Church records from the Dunwoody area can fill gaps before 1919 when Georgia started statewide vital records. Baptism records, burial records, and church membership rolls are sometimes the only way to find birth and death information for earlier generations. The History Center staff can help you navigate these collections.
The DeKalb County Courts public records page shows how to access genealogy records for the county that serves Dunwoody.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for Dunwoody residents are available through the Georgia Department of Public Health. Georgia started statewide vital records in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for extras. Death certificates are the same.
Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, birth certificates are restricted to close family members. Death certificates are more available and list the person's name, death date, parents' names, and burial site. The Virtual Vault has free death certificates from 1919 to 1943. FamilySearch has Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943 indexed at no cost.
Online Research Tools
You can search Dunwoody genealogy records from home. The E-Access to Court Records system covers DeKalb County probate and court files. Registration is free. Basic data costs nothing. Documents are $2.50 for the first page and $1.00 per page after.
FamilySearch has free Georgia records including marriages from 1754 to 1960, probate records from 1742 to 1990, and death records from 1914 to 1943. The Georgia Historic Newspapers archive has old newspapers from the DeKalb County area. Obituaries and legal notices from these papers can reveal family details.
The Georgia Archives at 5800 Jonesboro Road in Morrow holds microfilmed DeKalb County records, census data, military files, and land grants. Free access to Ancestry.com and FamilySearch is in the search room. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday. Call (678) 364-3710. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, public records are open for inspection.
Research Tips for Dunwoody
Dunwoody was not a city until 2008. All older records are filed under DeKalb County. Don't search for "Dunwoody" in old court records. Search by county.
Dunwoody sits right on the Fulton County border. Sandy Springs is just across the line. If your ancestors lived in this area, they could appear in either county's records depending on which side of the line their property sat on. Check both DeKalb and Fulton counties if you hit a dead end.
Census records from 1820 to 1950 cover DeKalb County residents. The 1850 census first listed every household member by name. Tax digests fill gaps between census years. The 1890 census was mostly destroyed. For that decade, use church records, cemetery records, and tax lists instead.
- Check cemetery records when vital records are missing
- Search church records for baptisms, marriages, and burials
- Use tax digests between census years
- Look at Fulton County records if DeKalb comes up empty
- Try the DeKalb History Center for court minutes and church records
DeKalb County Genealogy Records
Dunwoody is in DeKalb County. All marriage licenses, probate records, land deeds, and court cases are at the DeKalb County courthouse in Decatur. County records date back to 1842.
Nearby Georgia Cities
These cities are near Dunwoody. Each has details on local genealogy resources.