Find DeKalb County Phone Directory

DeKalb County has a population of 770,307 and sits just east of Atlanta, with its county seat in Decatur. This phone directory covers the Superior Court Clerk, county departments, and key government offices throughout DeKalb County. Whether you need to reach the clerk for a court filing, check on a property deed, or submit a public records request, you will find the right number and address on this page. The main courthouse is at 556 North McDonough Street in Decatur, and most county offices are within a short walk of that location.

DeKalb County Clerk Phone Numbers

The Superior Court Clerk is the primary records office in DeKalb County. This office handles civil and criminal court filings, deed recordings, notary appointments, adoptions, appeals, tax liens, UCCs, and passport services. The main phone number is (404) 371-2836. You can also email questions to cscinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov. The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk page on the county website gives an overview of all services the office provides.

This page outlines the full range of services handled by the clerk office and provides links to each division for more specific contact details.

The clerk office also runs its own dedicated website at dksuperiorclerk.com. This site has more detailed information about each division, including staff names and direct contact methods. William Sheppard serves as Chief Deputy. Fayron Woodley is the Assistant Chief Deputy. The real estate division is managed by Vivian Cook, with Jordan Logan and Jeffrey Miller as supervisors. Lisa Oakley handles notary and trade name matters. John Bryant runs the criminal division. Tara Jackson manages civil filings. Diana Edwards oversees passports and adoptions.

The dedicated clerk website is often more current than the main county page and is the best place to check for changes in staff, hours, or procedures.

DeKalb County Department Phone Directory

Beyond the Superior Court Clerk, DeKalb County runs dozens of departments that residents may need to call. The general county information line is (404) 371-2000. This number works as a catch-all if you are not sure which office to reach. The county's main address for administrative offices is 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. The DeKalb County departments list on the county website gives you every department name along with its phone number and location.

The departments page is sorted alphabetically and covers every office from Animal Services to Watershed Management. It is the fastest way to find any county number.

Some of the most commonly called numbers in DeKalb County are worth listing here. Business licenses can be reached at (404) 371-2461. Jury management picks up at (404) 371-2022. The Probate Court is at (404) 371-2601. Recorders Court uses (404) 371-3272. The State Court Clerk answers at (404) 371-2261. Tag information and the Tax Commissioner share the line at (404) 298-4000. Voter registration has its own number at (404) 298-4020. Each of these offices keeps records that are open to the public under Georgia law, and each can process its own records requests for documents in its custody.

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives any person the right to inspect and copy government records. This applies to every department in DeKalb County. You do not have to be a resident, and you do not have to give a reason for your request. The law is broad. It covers paper files, electronic records, emails, and other documents held by the county.

DeKalb Clerk Contact Information

The clerk contact page on the dedicated website lists all division heads and their roles. This page is useful when you need to reach a specific person rather than a general office line. The main number, (404) 371-2836, will get you to the front desk. From there, staff can transfer you to the right division. But if you already know which division you need, the contact page gives you a way to go directly to that person.

The contact page includes names, titles, and areas of responsibility for each key staff member in the clerk office.

The courthouse where the clerk office is located has a parking deck behind the building. Parking costs $6. The county posts a clear warning: do not park in local business lots near the courthouse, because booting is enforced. If you are visiting the clerk office in person, plan to use the parking deck or find metered street parking. The courthouse is at 556 North McDonough Street on the ground floor. Walk-in service is available during regular hours. No appointment is needed for most services, though passport applications may have different requirements. Call ahead at (404) 371-2836 if you have questions about what to bring or whether you need an appointment for a specific service.

Search DeKalb County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains a statewide records database that includes DeKalb County. The GSCCCA search portal lets you look up real estate records, liens, and court filings without going to the courthouse. Basic searches are free. Document images may require a paid account, but the index data is open to everyone. The database covers records going back several decades for DeKalb County.

The GSCCCA page for DeKalb County shows the clerk's contact details and links directly to the county's online records system. This is a good starting point if you want to verify that a record exists before calling or visiting in person.

The GSCCCA county page confirms the current clerk information and provides a direct path into the statewide search system for DeKalb County records.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies must make records available for inspection within three business days. The GSCCCA system helps meet that requirement by putting many records online where they can be accessed around the clock. For records that are not in the system, you can call the clerk at (404) 371-2836 or email cscinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov to ask what is available and how to get it. The clerk office processes both walk-in and mail requests during regular business hours.

DeKalb County Open Records Phone Contacts

DeKalb County considers access to public records of paramount importance. The county has a formal open records request process that is separate from simply asking the clerk for a court document. Open records requests cover a wider range of materials held by any county department. Think of it as the difference between asking for a specific court file and asking for internal county documents, emails, or reports. Court records go through the clerk. Everything else goes through the open records process.

The DeKalb County open records page explains how to submit a request and what to expect. The department that receives your request has three business days to determine whether the records are in that department's custody. If they are, the department must provide access or give you a timeline and fee estimate. If the records are held by a different department, your request will be forwarded, though this can add time to the process.

The open records page outlines the steps for filing a request, acceptable formats, and the county's fee schedule for copying and retrieving documents.

For records held by the DeKalb County Police, there is a separate process. Send police-related open records requests to DKPDOpenRecords@dekalbcountyga.gov or call (770) 724-7474. Law enforcement records may have different exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, particularly for active investigations or records that could compromise safety. But completed investigation files and incident reports are generally available to the public. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-73, agencies can charge reasonable fees for the work involved in finding and copying records, so expect a cost estimate before the county processes a large request.

Georgia Records Laws and DeKalb County

Georgia's Open Records Act is the legal foundation for public access to government documents in DeKalb County and across the state. The full text covers O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-74. These sections define what counts as a public record, list the exemptions, set response timelines, and establish penalties for agencies that refuse to comply. The act says public records belong to the people of Georgia, and government agencies are custodians rather than owners.

In practice, DeKalb County handles a high volume of records requests. The three-day response window applies to every department. If you submit a request and do not hear back within three business days, follow up by phone. Call the department you sent the request to, or use the general county line at (404) 371-2000. If a department denies your request, they must cite a specific legal exemption. You have the right to challenge a denial in court. The losing party in such a case may be responsible for the other side's attorney fees, which gives both requesters and agencies a reason to follow the rules.

For most people, the process is straightforward. Call the right office, tell them what you need, and they will either provide the records or tell you the cost and timeline. DeKalb County has trained staff in most departments to handle open records requests, and the county's commitment to transparency keeps the process moving.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County contains several cities that have their own municipal governments but rely on the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk for court records and property filings. Contact the clerk at (404) 371-2836 if you need records for any of these areas.

Other communities in DeKalb County include Clarkston, Lithonia, Pine Lake, and Avondale Estates. All court records for these areas are maintained by the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk in Decatur.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DeKalb County in the metro Atlanta area. If you are looking for a record and are not sure which county handles it, check the physical address. Court filings and property records go through the county where the property is located or the case was filed.