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Use the Right DeKalb County Probate Court Path for Records, Estates & Filing
Find the correct route for DeKalb probate records, wills and estates, Odyssey eFile, current filing fees, adult or minor guardianship, certified copies, marriage licenses, appointments and Probate Court services in Decatur.
Where Should You Start With DeKalb County Probate Court?
Start with DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur, Georgia. Probate Court handles wills and estates, guardianships and conservatorships, marriage licenses, records, weapons carry licensing and certain mental-health matters.
For an estate filing, use the court’s Wills & Estates instructions and Odyssey eFile Georgia where eligible. For probate records, use the Records department or Georgia Probate Records and contact the court when you need official file access or certified proof.
Do not assume every Probate Court service uses Room 1100. DeKalb uses different service areas inside the Judicial Tower. Check the service and appointment instructions before traveling.
Choose the DeKalb Probate Court Task You Need
Estate e-filing, record review, certified copies, adult guardianship, minor guardianship, marriage licensing and other Probate Court services follow different procedures.
Search or review probate records
Estate files, wills, guardianship information and other Probate Court record questions.
Use the court Records page and Georgia Probate Records where available.
Certified copies and letters are different from an online search result.
What DeKalb County Probate Court Handles
Wills & estates
Probate of wills, administration, temporary administration, Year’s Support, No Administration Necessary, discharge and related estate filings.
Guardianship & conservatorship
Adult and minor guardianship, conservatorship, emergency petitions, auditing and related protected-person proceedings.
Marriage licenses
Marriage-license applications, appointments and certified marriage documents.
Probate records
Probate file review, record information, certified copies, letters and other official probate-document needs.
Do not confuse Probate Court with DeKalb Superior, State or Magistrate Court. Divorce, general civil litigation, felony criminal matters and many other cases use different DeKalb courts.
How to Search or Review DeKalb Probate Court Records
Use public probate tools to locate the matter first, then contact DeKalb Probate Court when you need file review, certification or official record information.
Identify the probate record type
Determine whether you need an estate, will, guardianship, marriage, death-information or miscellaneous probate record.
Use strong identifying information
Use the decedent’s full legal name, estate number, applicant name, guardian or ward name, filing year or document type when available.
Check Georgia Probate Records
The Georgia Probate Records portal provides searchable categories including estates, wills, guardianships, marriages, deaths and miscellaneous filings.
Contact DeKalb Records when needed
The official Records page lists 404-371-2701 for an appointment to review records or for information about Probate Court records.
Order the correct official document
A bank, title company, agency or another court may need a certified copy, certified letter or exemplified copy rather than an online search result.
Opening an Estate or Probating a Will in DeKalb County
The official Wills & Estates page allows estate petitions to be e-filed through Odyssey eFile Georgia. If e-filing is not possible, the court strongly encourages mailing the filing with the appropriate fee.
Letters of Administration
Use the current Georgia petition when an administrator needs authority to act for an intestate estate.
Probate in solemn form
Use the current Georgia Probate Court Standard Form when formally offering a will for probate in solemn form.
No Administration Necessary
Georgia provides a separate petition where the statutory requirements for no administration are satisfied.
Year’s Support
A surviving spouse or qualifying minor children may use the Georgia Year’s Support procedure when applicable.
Temporary administration
Temporary Letters of Administration use a separate petition and fee from permanent Letters of Administration.
Will filed for safekeeping
DeKalb’s current fee schedule separately lists a will filed for safekeeping.
Use the current Georgia Probate Court Standard Forms. Do not rely on an old petition, another state’s form or a generic online estate template.
How DeKalb County Probate e-Filing Works
DeKalb Probate Court strongly encourages electronic filing. Estate petitions may be submitted through Odyssey eFile Georgia.
Create or sign in to your eFile account
Open Odyssey eFile Georgia and register if you do not already have an account.
Select DeKalb County Probate Court
Choose DeKalb County Probate Court as the filing location.
Select the correct category
The court’s instructions identify Probate or Mental Health as applicable categories.
Select the correct case type
For estate work, choose Estates. Guardianship or mental-health filings use their appropriate case types.
Keep the acceptance record
Save filing confirmation and watch for court notices, rejection instructions, hearing information or later filing requirements.
Some items still cannot be e-filed. The official court homepage identifies Orders to Apprehend, Certificates of Residency, Veteran Certificates of Eligibility, wills for safekeeping and original oaths and bonds among the filing exceptions.
Mail Filing vs In-Person Appointment
Mail eligible probate filings
The Wills & Estates page says petitions, caveats, motions, amendments, pleadings, notices, requests and annual reports may be mailed with the appropriate filing fee.
Mail to:
Clerk, DeKalb County Probate Court
556 North McDonough Street
1100 Judicial Tower
Decatur, GA 30030
Bring a filing when necessary
If you cannot e-file or mail, the court provides an appointment route. Bring the completed petition, valid identification and required filing fee.
The court specifically states that the petition and will, when applicable, must be originals rather than copies.
Printing detail: the Wills & Estates page instructs users not to print the petition front and back.
DeKalb County Probate Court Fees Revised July 1, 2025
These amounts come from the current official DeKalb County Probate Court fee PDF. Additional publication, property, service, letters, copies or other charges may apply.
Administration may add $60
The fee schedule lists a $60 publication charge when publication is required for Letters of Administration.
Property can add fees
Year’s Support and No Administration Necessary include real-property-related charges under the current schedule.
2.75% processing fee
The current fee PDF says credit/debit transactions carry a 2.75% processing fee.
Payment rules: the current PDF says Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted; American Express is not accepted; bills larger than $20 are not accepted; and checks or money orders should be payable to DeKalb County Probate Court.
Probate Copies, Certified Copies and Certified Letters
Ask the receiving organization what it requires before ordering. A bank may request current certified Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary rather than a general certified copy of the docket.
Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship in DeKalb County
The official Adult Guardianships page strongly encourages users to e-file or mail emergency and permanent guardianship or conservatorship petitions.
Personal, health and safety decisions
Guardianship may be considered when an adult lacks sufficient capacity to make or communicate significant responsible decisions concerning health or safety.
Property and financial decisions
Conservatorship concerns an adult who lacks sufficient capacity to make or communicate significant responsible decisions about management of property.
Guardianship can remove important legal rights and conservatorship can affect control of property. These are not simple administrative forms. Consider qualified Georgia legal advice for contested, complex or rights-sensitive situations.
Minor Guardianship and Conservatorship
DeKalb Probate Court provides a separate service route for minor guardianships and doubtful claims. The official page lists 404-371-2647 for information or appointment assistance.
Temporary guardianship
Georgia Probate Court Standard Form 28 is used for a petition for temporary letters of guardianship of a minor.
Permanent guardianship
Standard Form 29 covers permanent letters of guardianship of a minor. DeKalb’s fee schedule notes that both parents must be deceased for the listed permanent-minor-guardianship filing.
Minor conservatorship
A separate petition applies when appointment of a conservator for a minor’s property is required.
Cash-only note: the current DeKalb fee PDF identifies the listed minor temporary, termination and permanent guardianship petitions as cash-only and shows possible additional service/publication charges.
DeKalb County Marriage License: Two-Step Appointment Process
The official marriage page says DeKalb marriage-license applications are processed by appointment only and applicants must complete both parts of the process.
Complete the online marriage application
Submit the application online and save the Order Number shown on the Receipt Confirmation.
Book the Probate Court appointment
Return to the official court page and schedule the appointment using the required application information.
Keep proof of the appointment
The official instructions require applicants to bring or display the appointment confirmation.
Bring required identification and records
Both applicants must appear and provide acceptable proof of age. Prior divorce or prior-spouse death documentation may also be required.
$66 + $2 shipping/handling
The listed fee includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate.
$26 + $2 shipping/handling
A qualifying signed certificate of premarital education is required for this reduced fee.
Certified marriage documents: the official page lists certified marriage certificates, licenses and applications at $10 each, with additional online shipping/processing charges where applicable.
DeKalb Weapons Carry License Court Route
DeKalb Probate Court also handles Georgia weapons carry license applications, renewals and replacements. This is a separate licensing service from estate and guardianship filings.
Application first
The official court uses an online application before the appointment process.
Appointment second
Applicants then use the Probate Court scheduling system and bring proof of the confirmed appointment.
Fingerprinting
First-time applicants are directed to the separate DeKalb County Police fingerprinting location after the Probate Court appointment.
Requirements, eligibility, fees and appointment instructions can change. Use the current official court page rather than an old application PDF or third-party licensing guide.
Which DeKalb Judicial Tower Area Handles Your Probate Service?
DeKalb Probate Court uses different floors and service areas inside the courthouse. Verify current routing when your appointment is confirmed.
Guardianship, records and related services
The court homepage currently groups Mental Health, Auditing, Orders to Apprehend, Guardianships, Conservatorships and Records in the first-floor Probate Court service area.
Marriage, licensing, wills and estates
The court homepage currently groups Marriage Licenses, Weapons Carry Licenses and Wills/Estates in the basement service area.
Mailing address for Probate Court:
556 North McDonough Street
1100 Judicial Tower
Decatur, GA 30030
Check Your Appointment Before Going to the Courthouse
Select the right service
The appointment calendar asks you to select the Probate Court service before choosing a date and time.
Check all available windows
The court notes that different windows may have different appointment availability.
Save confirmation
Appointment confirmation may go to spam or junk. Keep a printed or mobile copy available for services that require proof.
Common Georgia Probate Court Standard Forms
Georgia Probate Courts use statewide standard forms for many common proceedings. Start with the current official form and then check DeKalb-specific filing instructions.
Temporary Letters
Petition for Temporary Letters of Administration.
Letters of Administration
Petition for appointment of an administrator.
Probate Will in Solemn Form
Petition to probate a will in solemn form.
No Administration Necessary
Petition for an order declaring no administration necessary.
Year’s Support
Petition for Year’s Support.
Emergency Adult Guardianship
Emergency guardian and/or conservator petition.
Adult Guardian/Conservator
Permanent guardian and/or conservator petition.
Temporary Minor Guardianship
Petition for temporary letters of guardianship of a minor.
Personal Representative Discharge
Petition for discharge of a personal representative.
DeKalb Probate Court Mental-Health Filing Route
Probate Court also handles specific Georgia mental-health proceedings. The official page separates Orders to Apprehend from involuntary commitment petitions filed by hospitals.
Orders to Apprehend
Use the court’s Mental Health / Orders to Apprehend information for the current procedure and department contact.
Hospital petitions
The official page states that involuntary commitment petitions filed by hospitals must be e-filed through Odyssey eFile Georgia.
For an immediate medical or safety emergency, use emergency services rather than relying on an informational probate webpage.
Why DeKalb Probate Searches or Filings Go Wrong
Wrong DeKalb court
Probate, Superior, State and Magistrate Courts do not maintain the same records.
Wrong service path
Estate e-filing, marriage appointments and records appointments are separate processes.
Old fee schedule
Older DeKalb PDFs show lower filing fees. Use the schedule revised July 1, 2025.
Old Georgia form
Use the current Georgia Probate Court Standard Forms before preparing a petition.
Missing original
An appointment filing involving a will may require the original petition and original will.
Wrong proof type
An online case result is not the same as a certified copy, certified letter or exemplified document.
Official DeKalb County Probate Court Links
DeKalb County Probate Court Address and Department Phones
DeKalb County Probate Court
556 North McDonough Street
1100 Judicial Tower
Decatur, GA 30030
Wills & Estates:
404-371-3022
Records:
404-371-2701
Other useful department numbers
- Adult Guardianship / related department: 404-371-2896
- Minor Guardianship: 404-371-2647
- Marriage / Weapons Carry department: 404-371-4962
- Chief Clerk / Probate administrator: 404-371-2608
- Judicial fax: 404-371-7055
Before calling: have the estate or case number if known, the full legal name involved, your exact task, the document you need and any court notice or appointment confirmation available.
Map to DeKalb County Probate Court in Decatur
Use the map for general directions, then verify your service floor or room through the Probate Court appointment instructions.
DeKalb County Courthouse / Judicial Tower
556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030
DeKalb Probate Terms to Know
Letters of Administration
Court-issued authority for an administrator to act for an estate when appropriate.
Letters Testamentary
Court-issued authority for a qualifying executor after a will is admitted and appointment requirements are satisfied.
Year’s Support
A Georgia probate procedure allowing a qualifying surviving spouse or minor child to petition for support from the estate.
No Administration Necessary
A separate Georgia estate procedure that may apply when its statutory conditions are satisfied.
Conservator
A person appointed to manage property or financial affairs for a protected person when legally required.
Certified Letter
Court-certified evidence of fiduciary authority, such as certified Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary.
DeKalb County Probate Court FAQs
Where is DeKalb County Probate Court located?
The Probate Court mailing address is 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030. Individual Probate Court services use different areas of the Judicial Tower.
What is the DeKalb County Probate Court estates phone number?
The official Wills & Estates page lists 404-371-3022.
How do I search DeKalb County probate records?
Start with Georgia Probate Records for searchable probate categories and use DeKalb Probate Court’s Records page when you need an appointment, file review, official information or certified documents. The Records phone number is 404-371-2701.
Can I e-file a DeKalb County estate petition?
Yes. DeKalb Probate Court’s Wills & Estates page says estate petitions may be e-filed through Odyssey eFile Georgia. Select DeKalb County Probate Court as the location and Estates as the appropriate case type.
What probate documents cannot be e-filed in DeKalb County?
The court homepage identifies limited exceptions including Orders to Apprehend, Certificates of Residency, Veteran Certificates of Eligibility, wills for safekeeping and original oaths and bonds.
How much is a Petition for Letters of Administration in DeKalb County?
The DeKalb County Probate Court fee schedule revised July 1, 2025 lists the filing fee at $209, plus a $60 publication fee when needed and $10 for each certified copy of Letters of Administration.
How much are DeKalb Probate Court certified copies?
The current fee schedule lists certified copies at $10 plus $1 per page. Certified letters are $10 per letter and exemplified copies are $15 plus $1 per page.
How do I start an adult guardianship in DeKalb County?
Review the official Adult Guardianships page and current Georgia Probate Court Standard Forms. The court strongly encourages e-filing or mailing adult emergency and permanent guardianship or conservatorship petitions.
How do I apply for a DeKalb County marriage license?
Complete the online marriage-license application first, save the Receipt Confirmation Order Number, then use the official Probate Court appointment calendar. Both applicants must appear and meet the court’s identification and document requirements.
Do I need an appointment for DeKalb County Probate Court?
The Probate Court website currently states that its services continue to be handled by appointment. Some probate filings can instead be e-filed or mailed. Always check the service-specific page before visiting.
Independent Guide Legal Disclaimer
ProbateCourtUSA.org is an independent informational website. It is not DeKalb County Probate Court, DeKalb County government, the State of Georgia, a government agency, law firm or official filing service.
Probate proceedings can affect estates, property, family rights, guardianship rights and court deadlines. Verify current forms, filing fees, e-filing requirements, appointment instructions, court locations, record-access rules and case-specific requirements directly with DeKalb County Probate Court or a qualified Georgia probate attorney before taking legal action.