Search DeKalb County Genealogy

DeKalb County genealogy records go back to 1842, though the county was formed in 1822. A courthouse fire destroyed many early documents, so surviving records begin around 1842. The Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Decatur hold marriage records, wills, estate files, land deeds, and court cases that help trace family lines in one of metro Atlanta's most populated counties. The DeKalb History Center also has church records, photograph collections, and rare court minute books that add depth to any genealogy search.

DeKalb County Probate Court Genealogy

The DeKalb County Probate Court is the main source for marriage and estate records used in genealogy. This court holds marriage licenses from 1842 to the present. It also keeps wills, letters of administration, guardianship files, and estate inventories. These records are key for tracing family lines in DeKalb County, especially because the county grew so fast in the 20th century.

You can visit the courthouse in Decatur to search records in person. The court also takes requests by mail. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has full jurisdiction over wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and marriage licenses in DeKalb County. Staff can help you find the exact records you need. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more but are needed for legal purposes.

The DeKalb County Courts public records portal provides a look at how records are accessed in this county.

This page shows the types of public records available through the DeKalb County court system.

Note: Call the Probate Court before your visit to check current fees and hours, as these can change without much notice.

DeKalb County Superior Court Records

The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court holds land records, divorce records, and civil and criminal case files from 1842 to the present. These are useful for genealogy because they show property transfers, legal disputes, and family connections that probate records may not cover.

Divorce records are an important source for DeKalb County genealogy. The Superior Court has handled divorce cases since 1842. These files often name children, list property, and give ages or birth dates that help confirm family connections. Deed books and plat maps can also help you figure out where your ancestors lived. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, most court records in DeKalb County are open to the public.

You can also search DeKalb County genealogy records through the state's E-Access to Court Records system. Registration is free. Basic case data is available at no charge. If you need to view actual documents, the first page costs $2.50 and each page after that costs $1.00.

DeKalb History Center Genealogy Resources

The DeKalb History Center is a gem for genealogy researchers. It holds church records, photograph collections, and rare court documents that the regular courthouse does not have on hand. Some of the most useful items include the Decatur City Court Minute Books from 1923 to 1956, Superior Court Minutes/Book A from 1836 to 1843, and Superior Court Records from 1860 to 1910.

The Book A records are especially important. They cover 1836 to 1843, which means they include some records from before the courthouse fire. If you have ancestors in DeKalb County during those years, the History Center may have the only surviving documents. Church records held at the center can fill gaps where vital records are missing. Baptism records, membership rolls, and burial lists often give names, dates, and family connections.

Note: The DeKalb History Center is separate from the courthouse, so plan a visit to both locations if you are doing thorough genealogy research in DeKalb County.

Vital Records for DeKalb County Genealogy

Georgia did not start keeping statewide birth and death records until 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. For DeKalb County, that means pre-1919 vital records are limited. The county vital records office in Decatur can issue birth and death certificates from 1919 to the present. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy. Death certificates are the same price.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are only available to the person named, parents, grandparents, adult siblings, adult children, spouses, or legal guardians. Death certificates are more widely available for genealogy research. For records before 1919, check the Georgia Virtual Vault for death certificates from 1919 to 1943. FamilySearch also has Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943 indexed at no cost.

DeKalb County GAGenWeb Genealogy

The DeKalb County GAGenWeb page is a free volunteer-run genealogy resource. It has cemetery transcriptions, census data, family trees, and other records shared by researchers working on DeKalb County families.

This site connects you with other people researching DeKalb County family lines. Volunteers often post records they have found at courthouses, libraries, and archives around the county.

Other free resources for DeKalb County genealogy include the Georgia Historic Newspapers archive, which has over a million pages of old Georgia newspapers. Obituaries, legal notices, and family announcements from DeKalb County papers can fill in gaps in your research.

Research Tips for DeKalb County Genealogy

Start with what you know. Write down all the names, dates, and places you have for your DeKalb County family. Then work backward one generation at a time. Census records are often the best next step. The 1850 census was the first to list every person in the household by name and age.

The 1790, 1800, 1810, and 1890 federal census records for Georgia were destroyed. For those gaps, use DeKalb County tax digests to find where your ancestors lived. Pre-1900 DeKalb County records are available on microfilm at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. For records after 1900, contact the courthouse in Decatur directly.

• Check cemetery records when vital records are missing
• Search church records for baptisms, marriages, and burials
• Look at Family Bible records at the Georgia Archives
• Use the Vanishing Georgia collection for old photos

DeKalb County boundary changes matter for genealogy. The county was formed in 1822 from parts of Fayette, Gwinnett, and Henry counties. Fulton County was later carved from DeKalb in 1853. Rockdale County was carved from DeKalb in 1870. If your ancestors lived near those borders, check neighboring county records as well.

Note: Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the Georgia Open Records Act caps copy fees at 10 cents per page for standard documents from public agencies.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has several major cities. All genealogy records for these cities are maintained at the DeKalb County Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. Select a city below for local genealogy information.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DeKalb County. If your ancestors moved within this area, check neighboring county records as well. County lines changed often in Georgia, especially in the metro Atlanta area.