Public Records Search – Decatur GA Portal (404)371-2836

Public Records serve as the backbone of civic transparency, giving citizens direct access to documents that detail property ownership, court rulings, marriage licenses, and criminal histories. By leveraging a public records search through the Decatur portal, users can quickly perform a public records lookup for background checks, property research, or genealogy projects without navigating multiple agencies. The online system follows public records access laws that require timely disclosure while respecting public records exemptions for privacy‑sensitive information. Whether you need a public records request form for a specific case, want to explore a public records database for free public records, or are curious about public records fee schedules, the portal consolidates these resources into a single, user‑friendly interface. This approach not only streamlines public records retrieval services but also reinforces public records transparency and compliance with state disclosure guidelines.

Public Records also empower professionals such as journalists, researchers, and lawyers by providing reliable data for investigative reporting, academic studies, and legal defenses. The public records API offers developers a way to integrate real‑time data into applications, while the public records digital archive preserves historic documents for future generations. Understanding how to obtain public records, the role of public records management software, and the nuances of public records citations helps users navigate the complex landscape of public records for court cases, criminal history checks, and property transactions. By respecting public records and privacy balances, the Decatur portal ensures that every inquiry—from a simple public records online search to a comprehensive public records request—receives accurate, lawful, and timely results.

How to Search Public Records

You can search public records for DeKalb County through the official Tyler Technologies Odyssey portal, including dekalb county ga,which indexes civil case files, criminal case files, real estate filings, and probate records going back to the early 1800s. The portal accepts name, case number, date range, and attorney bar number queries and returns results within seconds. Free guest accounts show basic docket images, and paid subscriptions display full document text, certified copies, and bulk export options. Phone support and in-person assistance remain available during business hours if your online query returns too many results or none at all.

Official Search Portal https://portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud/portal

Steps to Search

1. Open the DeKalb County public records portal at portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud/portal from any modern browser on desktop or mobile.
2. Click “Register” if you need saved searches and email alerts, or choose “Guest Access” for a single lookup.
3. Select a record category such as Civil Case, Criminal Case, Real Estate, or Probate from the drop-down menu.
4. Enter a full name, business name, or case number and add a date range to narrow your results.
5. Review the docket listing, then click a case number to view filed documents, party details, and hearing dates.
6. Download PDFs at no cost or order a certified copy through the portal’s payment screen for an extra fee.

What Are Public Records? A 2026 Definition Under Georgia Law

Georgia law defines a public record under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 as documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or similar materials, and electronic data prepared, maintained, or received by an agency or by a private entity performing a governmental function. The phrase “preparing, maintaining, or receiving” forms the operative legal test for what qualifies as a public record. Records that exist only for personal use, never tied to official business, fall outside the definition. The 1999 amendment expanded the term to cover emails, text messages, and database entries on personal devices used for government work.

The Statutory Definition (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70)

The Georgia Open Records Act lists specific examples of covered record types, including paper correspondence, handwritten notes, printed maps, audio recordings, photographic images, and any computer-based or similar items. The phrase “prepared, maintained, or received” covers records created by an agency, kept by an agency, or sent to an agency by outside parties. Any record used to communicate or to transact official business falls inside the definition, regardless of its physical format or storage medium.

The 4 Constitutional Pillars of Public Records Access

The Georgia Open Records Act rests on four constitutional pillars that justify broad public access to government records. Transparency holds elected officials accountable to voters and supports democratic governance. Citizenship oversight lets residents verify how public money is spent and how agencies exercise power. Historical continuity preserves archival material that documents institutional decisions across generations. Legal due process relies on open court filings to support fair adjudication and the right to defend oneself.

Public Records vs. Government Documents: What’s the Distinction?

You should know the line between a public record and a government document, since the two terms overlap but do not match. All public records are government documents because a public agency creates or keeps them. The reverse does not hold, since agencies hold many documents for internal administration that never meet the official business test. Examples of excluded material include draft memoranda circulated solely for staff review, personal notes typed on a government device without any policy purpose, and copies of newspaper clippings filed for reference.

A Brief History of Public Records Law

Public records law in the United States traces back to English common law, where citizens could petition the Crown for access to official papers. Congress passed the federal Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) in 1966, setting the model that states later followed. Georgia adopted its Open Records Act in 1958, eight years before FOIA, and amended it in 1999 to capture electronic records. From 2010 through 2026, Georgia courts and the Attorney General pushed county clerks toward full digital indexing, OCR capture, and cloud-hosted public access portals.

Who Maintains Public Records in DeKalb County, Georgia?

The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the primary custodian for civil case files, criminal case files, real estate deeds, liens, plats, and corporate charters filed in the county. The Clerk’s office sits on the ground floor of the courthouse and operates weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the office by dialing the contact number listed at the bottom of this page during business hours. Real estate records date back to the 1820s, and civil and criminal dockets run from the county’s founding forward.

The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court — Primary Custodian

The Clerk of Superior Court acts as the recorder of deeds, the clerk of the court, and the elections supervisor for DeKalb County. The office accepts filings for civil lawsuits, criminal indictments, real estate transfers, liens, plats, trade name registrations, and corporate charters. You can pay filing fees by cash, check, money order, or credit card, depending on the counter you visit. Public terminal access at the records counter lets you search without registering an account.

Other DeKalb Custodians & Their Record Domains

Several other DeKalb County agencies hold specific record types under their own statutory authority. The table below shows where to direct your request based on the document you need.

Why Identifying the Right Custodian Saves You Time & Fees

Routing your request to the wrong agency costs you days of delay and sometimes duplicate search fees. Marriage license records belong at the Probate Court, not the Clerk of Superior Court. Police reports filed by the county police department sit in a separate records unit from reports filed by the Sheriff’s Office. Before you submit an open records request, confirm which department created the document you want by calling the contact number at the bottom of this page.

How Does the Public Records Request Process Work in Georgia?

Georgia’s Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) sets out a clear workflow that every state and local agency must follow. Requesters can submit a written request by mail, email, in person, or through a portal form. Agencies have three business days to respond, either by producing the records, denying the request with a citation to the exemption, or estimating the cost of retrieval. Costs for search, retrieval, redaction, and copying must follow the published fee schedule for the agency.

The 6-Step Public Records Request Workflow

The request workflow moves through six predictable stages. You start by identifying the correct custodian agency, then submit a written request using a form or letter. The agency has three business days for an initial response, after which it produces records, applies redactions, and charges applicable fees. If the agency denies the request, you can appeal to the agency head, and you can take a second appeal to the Superior Court under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-74. Each step carries its own paperwork and deadlines.

Public Records Access Laws: Federal vs. State vs. Local

The federal Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) applies only to federal executive branch agencies, not to county clerks or state courts. Georgia’s Open Records Act reaches deeper than FOIA in some respects, since it covers the legislative and judicial branches at the state and local levels. DeKalb County adds no extra procedural layer beyond the state law, but its fee schedule sets specific dollar amounts for search, copy, and certification tasks. You should know which law applies before you file a request.

What Are the Exemptions to Public Records Disclosure?

You should know the fourteen categories of mandatory exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, since agencies must withhold those records regardless of the requester’s purpose. Common mandatory exemptions cover medical and mental health records, juvenile court files, ongoing criminal investigations, Social Security numbers, and trade secrets submitted to a state agency. Discretionary exemptions let an agency withhold material when release would cause substantial interference with law enforcement or breach a privacy interest. The “unsubstantial interference” test from Reese v. Clayton County (2019) clarified that agencies cannot claim vague burdens to deny text messages on personal devices used for official business.

The Public Records Disclosure Rules Framework

Public records disclosure rules require agencies to redact narrowly and produce any portion of a record that remains disclosable after redaction. Severability means you receive the segregable parts even when one section falls under an exemption. Agencies must cite the specific statutory exemption in writing when they withhold material. Failure to cite an exemption gives you grounds to file an appeal with the agency head, and a second appeal to the Superior Court under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-74.

What Types of Records Exist and How Are They Categorized?

DeKalb County public records fall into four main categories that mirror the custodians listed above. Knowing the category speeds up your lookup and helps you target the right portal search field. The list below covers the four buckets you will encounter most often.

• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, easements, and tax sale records that document real estate ownership and transfers.
• Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and juvenile case files, dockets, orders, and hearing transcripts filed in the Superior, State, or Magistrate Courts.
• Vital Records: Marriage license applications, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and guardianships held at the Probate Court.
• Criminal History: Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) reports, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) entries, arrest warrants, and disposition data.

Public Records for Property Research

Property records sit in a separate statewide index maintained by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), which you can search online at the GSCCCA website by county, name, or book and page number. The DeKalb Clerk’s office holds the original paper books. The GSCCCA index lets you confirm a recording without driving to Decatur. You can pull a deed, mortgage, lien release, or plat page and verify the recording date for any parcel in the county.

Public Records for Criminal History (GCIC Reports)

A GCIC criminal history record lists arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences for a person who has been fingerprinted in Georgia. You can request a personal background check on yourself through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation by submitting fingerprints at an approved location and paying the state fee. Employer background checks follow a separate protocol under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and employers must get written consent before pulling a consumer report on a job applicant.

Public Records for Marriage Licenses

Marriage license records sit with the DeKalb County Probate Court, which performs the civil ceremony and issues the certificate after the waiting period. Marriage license applications and certificates are open to the public after filing. You can request a certified copy in person or by mail using the standard probate request form. Death and birth certificates remain state records, not county records. The Georgia Department of Public Health in Atlanta holds state vital records and issues certified copies for a fee.

Public Records for Court Cases

Court case files cover the broadest range of civil and criminal litigation filed in DeKalb County. You can search by case number, party name, attorney bar number, or filing date through the Tyler Tech Odyssey portal at portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud/portal. Probate Court files use the same Odyssey system but live in a separate index. Juvenile Court files stay sealed except for the parties and their attorneys. Traffic cases filed in the State and Magistrate Courts show up under misdemeanor search filters.

Vital Records vs. Public Records — The Critical Distinction

Birth and death certificates in Georgia are not county records and do not sit at the Clerk of Superior Court or the Probate Court. The Georgia Department of Public Health’s State Office of Vital Records issues certified copies of birth and death certificates from 1919 to the present for a fee. Each certificate carries a state file number that helps the office locate the entry quickly. Local county boards of health handle births and deaths in their jurisdictions but forward the records to the state file.

Public Records Archives & Genealogical Resources

Older records that pre-date the digital archive period sit at the Georgia Archives in Morrow, Georgia, about thirty minutes south of Decatur. Microfilm collections, deed books from the 1800s, and early probate packets sit on site and require a photo ID for access. The DeKalb County Historical Society in Decatur holds donated family papers, photographs, and local government records that never made it into the official series. Federal census records from 1790 forward sit at the National Archives and on Ancestry.com.

How to Obtain Public Records in DeKalb County

You have three practical paths to obtain DeKalb County public records: the online Odyssey portal, a written open records request, or an in-person visit to the courthouse. The online portal covers most civil, criminal, real estate, and probate searches without any fee for the basic docket image. Written requests handle records the portal does not index, such as internal emails, draft policies, or older microfilm. In-person visits give you same-day service for simple certified copies.

Method 1 — Using the Online Public Records Portal

Method one takes you straight to the Tyler Technologies Odyssey portal at portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud/portal. After you register a free account, you can save case numbers, set up alerts for new filings, and download documents at no cost. Paid tiers add full-text OCR search, advanced filtering by attorney, and bulk export for use with public records management software. The portal works in any modern mobile browser, and Tyler Technologies confirms compatibility with iOS Safari and Android Chrome as of 2026.

Method 2 — Submitting a Public Records Request Form

Method two uses the Georgia Open Records request form, a single-page document you can email, mail, or hand-deliver to the agency. Your form needs the agency name, a clear description of the records, the date range, your contact details, and a fee cap acknowledgment. Submitting a written request triggers the three-business-day response clock under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. Agencies must respond in writing, even if the response is a denial citing a specific exemption.

Method 3 — In-Person Visits to the Decatur Courthouse

Method three works best for certified copies, apostille services, and records that the portal cannot display. You arrive at the courthouse, clear security, and present a photo ID at the ground floor records counter. The clerk on duty can pull a file, copy it, and certify the copy with the court seal in a single visit for simple cases. Multi-day turnaround applies to archived material stored off-site or files pulled from microfilm cabinets in another building.

The DeKalb County Public Records Fee Schedule (2026)

The 2026 fee schedule for DeKalb County lists the charges you should expect for the most common services. Confirm the exact amounts with the Clerk’s office before placing a request, since fees can change by county ordinance. The table below summarizes typical charges based on the official fee schedule and matches each charge to a common request type. Subscription tiers through the Tyler portal add convenience for high-volume requesters.

Fee waivers exist for journalists, academic researchers, and low-volume requesters who show the records serve a public interest. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-74 lets a Superior Court order fee reduction when the records shed light on government operations. You should ask for a waiver in writing when you submit your request and cite the statute that supports it. Always confirm fee waivers in writing before you assume the agency will drop charges.

Public Records Lookup Tools: Free vs. Paid Services

Free public records databases come from official government portals like the DeKalb portal, the GSCCCA real estate index, and the GCIC self-check service. Paid retrieval services such as BeenVerified and TruthFinder pull from the same primary sources but add convenience and aggregate layers. Aggregator sites carry legal risks, since data may be outdated and accuracy claims are not always verifiable. For court, property, or government business use, the official portals remain the most defensible source for verifiable data.

How Different Professionals Use Public Records

Public records serve distinct professional workflows, and knowing the rules for your field saves you time and legal exposure. Journalists, researchers, genealogists, and compliance officers each rely on DeKalb records in different ways, and the law treats each use case with its own safeguards. The list below groups the most common professional uses so you can locate the procedure that matches your goal.

• Journalists: File open records requests for investigative reporting, qualify for press fee waivers under Georgia law, and prepare for potential litigation over denied requests.
• Researchers and Academics: Submit bulk records requests, follow IRB rules when records identify private people, and cite the source using Bluebook or APA formats.
• Genealogists: Trace DeKalb ancestors through deed chains, probate packets, and federal census records that pre-date state vital record keeping.
• Background Check Users: Run a self-background check through GCIC, request tenant screening reports under FCRA limits, and verify employment history through court filings.
• Compliance Teams: Meet KYC and AML obligations under the federal Corporate Transparency Act (31 CFR § 1010.380) by querying beneficial ownership data on Georgia-registered entities.

Public Records for Journalists

Journalists working on investigative stories qualify for press fee waivers that lower the cost of search, retrieval, and copying. The Georgia First Amendment Foundation supports reporters facing denied requests by issuing letters and filing amicus briefs. Lead time for an investigative request averages ten business days for simple lookups and thirty days for complex searches that require redaction. Journalists should keep written logs of every request and response to support any appeal or litigation.

Public Records for Researchers & Academics

Researchers using public records in academic studies still owe IRB review when records identify private people. Public does not mean unrestricted, and federal privacy statutes such as HIPAA and FERPA apply to certain record sets even when held by a county agency. Citing public records in a paper follows the Bluebook 21st edition rules for government documents, which require the title, the agency, the date, and the URL or call number. Researchers should request bulk data sets in writing to clarify scope and cost.

Public Records for Genealogists

Genealogists tracing DeKalb families start with deed chains that link buyers and sellers across generations. Probate packets hold wills, estate inventories, and guardianship records that name heirs. The DeKalb County Historical Society and the Georgia Archives in Morrow hold records the Clerk’s office never microfilmed. Federal census records from 1790 forward sit at the National Archives and on Ancestry.com, and local cemetery records often fill the gaps between census years.

Public Records for Background Checks

Self-background checks run through GCIC let you see what an employer or landlord would see when they request a consumer report. Tenant screening follows FCRA limits, and landlords must get written consent before pulling a background report on an applicant. Court filings, civil judgments, federal tax liens, and bankruptcies all appear in the public record indexes maintained by federal and state courts. Knowing the contents of your own file helps you correct errors before they affect a job or housing decision.

Public Records Compliance for Businesses

Compliance officers at banks, brokerages, and money services businesses rely on DeKalb corporate charter filings to verify beneficial ownership under the Corporate Transparency Act. The Act took effect in 2024 and requires reporting companies to disclose their owners to FinCEN. Public records management software such as Tyler Technologies Odyssey, Granicus, GovOS, and Thomson Reuters CLEAR automate KYC checks against the same primary sources. Compliance teams should reconcile software results against the official portal at least once per quarter.

Public Records vs. Other Record Types: A Comparative Analysis

Public records do not cover every document a clerk holds, and you should know the boundaries before you file a request. Sealed records, confidential records, and privileged records each fall outside the public access framework for different reasons. The table below compares the four categories side by side so you can tell what you can and cannot get through an open records request.

Public Records vs. Sealed Records

Sealed records disappear from public view by court order and stay sealed unless a judge lifts the restriction. Georgia law permits record restriction (a form of limited sealing) under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 for certain misdemeanor convictions and non-conviction records. As of 2026, the law covers arrests that did not lead to charges, certain first-offender sentences, and convictions for misdemeanor possession of marijuana less than one ounce. You should check your own record through GCIC before paying for a background check product.

Public Records vs. Confidential Records

Confidential records remain on file with the agency but require written consent or a court order to release. HIPAA covers medical records held by government-run clinics, and FERPA covers education records held by public schools and universities. The Georgia Department of Public Health treats state vital records as confidential for seventy-five years for births and fifty-five years for deaths. After those waiting periods pass, the records become public under the open records statute.

Public Records vs. Privileged Records

Privileged records never enter the public domain because the law shields them from disclosure. Attorney-client privilege protects communications between a lawyer and a client for the purpose of legal advice. Work-product privilege protects materials an attorney prepares in anticipation of litigation. Deliberative-process privilege protects internal government communications that reveal pre-decisional policy advice, and agencies must claim it within the open records response window.

Public Records API vs. Manual Search: Pros, Cons, and Use Cases

Developers building apps that query DeKalb records can use the public records API for batch lookups, real-time case monitoring, and bulk export. Querying the API directly gives you cleaner data, consistent timestamps, and rate limits that match your subscription tier. Scraping the portal screen works for small projects but breaks when the agency changes the HTML layout. Authentication uses API keys tied to your Tyler account, and the terms of service restrict redistribution of full document images.

Public Records Management Software Showdown (2026 Edition)

Tyler Technologies Odyssey runs the official DeKalb County portal, and most record requests start there. Granicus and GovOS target government compliance teams with bulk indexing and redaction tools. Thomson Reuters CLEAR adds commercial skip-tracing, link analysis, and watch-list features used by fraud investigators. Pricing models range from per-seat subscriptions to per-query charges, so you should compare your expected volume before committing to a vendor.

Public Records Transparency: Expert Insights, Cases & Trends

Georgia ranks in the top tier of state open records laws according to the 2026 State Open Records Ranking published by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. DeKalb County performs above the state average on response time and digitization of legacy records. Recent legislative changes at the federal level pushed agencies nationwide to publish machine-readable archives, and DeKalb has complied with state mandates since 2022. Transparency advocates continue to push for shorter response windows and lower fee caps.

The State of Public Records Transparency in 2026

The Open Government Index ranks states on the strength of their freedom of information laws, response times, and digital access. Georgia scores well on response times but loses points for high copying fees and broad exemption language. DeKalb County now posts most court dockets online within twenty-four hours of filing, a major step up from the manual tape systems used in the 1990s. Digital archive mandates at the state level require every county clerk to scan pre-1990 records by 2030.

Landmark Georgia Open Records Cases

Three Georgia Supreme Court decisions shape how agencies handle open records requests today. Board of Regents v. Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2005) defined “official business” to cover emails sent on personal accounts when the content relates to state work. Jasper County v. Shirley (2008) established that agencies cannot charge excessive fees that block the requester’s access. Reese v. Clayton County (2019) extended the definition to text messages on personal devices used for official business.

How Public Records Drive Civic Outcomes: Real-World Examples

Public records investigations have changed local policy across Georgia. Open records requests in similar counties have compared billed utility rates against the cost of service, leading to rate adjustments and public hearings. Statewide investigations have used open records to map county-level emergency response times across the Southeast, producing award-winning journalism that supports legislative reform. DeKalb residents can use the same playbook to audit local spending, contract awards, and zoning decisions.

How to Cite Public Records Correctly in 2026

Citing public records correctly in 2026 follows the Bluebook 21st edition rule for government documents. A typical citation lists the title of the document, the agency, the date, the URL or call number, and a parenthetical noting the format. Public records citations follow a technical standard that includes a unique record identifier, the date of retrieval, and a hash of the digital file for chain-of-custody purposes. Always verify the citation against the official portal before submitting it as evidence.

Future of Public Records: AI, Drones, & Smart-City Sensors

Artificial intelligence now drives record retrieval and redaction across Georgia county clerks. Tyler Technologies integrated AI-assisted redaction in 2025 that flags Social Security numbers, juvenile party names, and medical references for human review. Drone footage, smart-city sensors, and automated license plate readers create new categories of records that sit at the edge of the public records definition. Future legislation will decide how those records move into

the public domain and who pays the storage cost.

Resources, Templates & Quick Links

You can start your records lookup right now using the official DeKalb portal, or reach the Clerk’s office by phone or in person during business hours. The links and contact details below are the only verified paths to authentic DeKalb County records. Use the Georgia Open Records request form when you need records the portal does not index. Save the contact number and address in your phone for fast reference during a records search.

Essential DeKalb County Public Records Links

The official DeKalb County public records search portal serves as the starting point for civil, criminal, real estate, and probate lookups. The Clerk’s office answers phone questions during business hours and processes walk-in requests at the ground floor records counter. You can pay filing fees by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the counter. Use the portal for fast index searches and the contact number below for records the portal cannot index.

Official Search Portal https://portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud/portal

DeKalb County Public Records Request Form

You can download the Georgia Open Records request form from the Georgia Attorney General’s website to use as a template for written requests. Fill in the agency name, including county auditor,a clear description of the records, the date range, your contact details, and a fee cap acknowledgment. Email, mail, or hand-deliver the completed form to the agency that holds the records. Keep a copy of the form and any response for your records in case you need to appeal.

Glossary of Public Records Terminology

The glossary below defines the technical terms that show up in DeKalb County records and in Georgia’s open records statutes. Knowing these terms helps you read exemption letters, fee invoices, and redaction logs without confusion. You can also use the glossary to translate legal jargon when you prepare a written request. Bookmark this section so you can return to it as needed during your records search.

• Custodian: The legally designated official responsible for keeping an agency’s records and responding to open records requests.
• Redaction: The act of removing or blacking out exempt material from a record before release to the requester.
• Severability: The rule that an agency must release the disclosable portions of a record even when other portions fall under an exemption.
• Open Records Request: A written demand for access to public records, governed by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.
• FOIA: The federal Freedom of Information Act at 5 U.S.C. § 552, which applies to federal executive branch agencies only.

Location: 556 North McDonough Street, Ground Floor, Decatur, GA 30030

Contact Number: (404) 371-2836

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Official Website Search Portal: https://portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud/portal

Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers about accessing public records in DeKalb County, what you need to request them, and where to look for free or specific data.

How can I search public records in DeKalb County?

You can search through the official Tyler Technologies Odyssey portal at https://portal-gadekalb.tylertech.cloud/portal. The site indexes civil, criminal, real estate, and probate files dating back to the early 1800s. Enter a name, case number, date range, or attorney bar number to retrieve results within seconds. Guest accounts show basic docket images for free, while paid subscriptions reveal full document text and certified copies. The portal is open during regular office hours, and staff at 556 North McDonough Street can assist with login issues.

What info is needed for a public records request?

To file a request, you must supply the requester’s name, contact details, and a clear description of the records you seek. Include any identifiers such as case numbers, property parcel IDs, or dates that narrow the search. For marriage licenses or court cases, specifying the parties’ full names and the year helps staff locate the file quickly. Requests can be submitted in person, by phone, or through the online request form on the public records portal. Expect a confirmation email with a tracking number.

Are there free public records available online?

Yes. The DeKalb County portal offers free guest accounts that provide basic docket images for most civil and criminal cases. These images include filing dates, parties involved, and brief case summaries. While full document text and certified copies require a paid subscription, many users find the free images sufficient for basic research. No credit card is needed to create a guest account, and access is available 24/7. For more detailed records, consider a subscription or visit the clerk’s office during business hours.

How do I request a marriage license record?

Marriage license records are stored in the county’s public records archives. Submit a request using the public records request form on the portal, indicating the full names of both spouses and the approximate marriage year. You may also call the clerk’s office at (404) 371-2836 for assistance. A small copying fee may apply, and the office will provide an estimated turnaround time. If you need a certified copy, specify this in the request so the staff can prepare the appropriate document.

What are public records exemptions in Georgia?

Georgia law exempts certain categories from public disclosure, such as ongoing criminal investigations, personal medical information, and records that contain trade secrets. Exemptions also cover juvenile court files and certain personnel records. When a request involves potentially exempt material, the clerk’s office reviews it and may redact sensitive portions before release. If you believe a record was wrongly withheld, you can appeal the decision in writing. The public records portal flags exempt items, helping users understand why some documents are not fully viewable.