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DeKalb County GA Probate Court Records, Estates, eFiling, Fees, Marriage & Guardianship Help
Use this refreshed DeKalb County GA Probate Court guide to search court records, request records appointments, file wills and estate petitions, use Odyssey eFile Georgia, check probate fees, understand adult or minor guardianships, apply for marriage licenses, and visit the right Judicial Tower location in Decatur.
Where Should You Start for DeKalb County GA Probate Court?
Start with the official DeKalb County Probate Court website, not a private record directory. DeKalb County’s judicial system page identifies Probate Court functions as estate administration, guardianship appointments, marriage licenses and firearms licenses, while the official Probate Court website separates services into records, wills and estates, marriage license, adult guardianships, minor guardianships, mental health and auditing.
For records, the official Records page says to schedule an appointment to review records or get record information by contacting the court at 404-371-2701. For estates, the Wills & Estates page says estate petitions may be e-filed through Odyssey eFile Georgia, mailed to the court, or brought by appointment if e-filing or mailing is not possible.
Choose the DeKalb County Probate Step You Actually Need
Most users search “DeKalb County GA Probate Court” because they need one specific action: review records, file an estate petition, request certified copies, apply for a marriage license, start guardianship, e-file a mental health petition, or check fees. Pick the task closest to your need.
Review probate records or ask about records
Probate record review, estate file questions, case documents, certified-copy routing or records appointment needs.
Use the official DeKalb Probate Records page and contact the records office before visiting.
Online court docket entries may not replace certified records, letters, sealed records or direct clerk confirmation.
How to Search or Request DeKalb County Probate Court Records
The old version of many probate pages sends users to broad record portals too quickly. For DeKalb County, the safer workflow is to verify the court function, contact the Records page when you need actual records, and use court-issued copies when legal proof is required.
Confirm this is a Probate Court matter
Use Probate Court for estate administration, guardianship appointments, marriage licenses and related probate services. Do not confuse it with Superior, State, Magistrate or Juvenile Court records.
Gather strong record details
Prepare the case name, estate name, decedent name, party name, case number, approximate filing year, document type, and whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, certified letter or appointment.
Use the official records contact route
The DeKalb Probate Records page says to schedule an appointment to review records or get record information by contacting the listed records office. Use that route before relying on private record sites.
Ask about certification before ordering
If a bank, title company, agency, attorney or court needs proof, ask whether certified copies, certified letters, exemplified copies or court-issued documents are required.
Check fees before paying
Use the official fee schedule PDF before filing or ordering records. Estate filings, guardianship filings, letters, copies, certified copies, service and card-processing fees can change the total.
Official DeKalb County Probate Court Links
These links are included because each one solves a real user task: records appointment, estate e-filing, forms, fees, marriage license appointment, guardianship, mental health filing, or courthouse location.
DeKalb County Wills, Estates and Odyssey eFile Georgia
The official Wills & Estates page says estate petitions may be e-filed via Odyssey eFile Georgia. After signing in or registering, users should select DeKalb County Probate Court as the location, Probate or Mental Health as the category, and Estates as the case type.
Use Odyssey eFile Georgia for estate petitions
Create an e-file account, select the correct court, category and case type, then proceed with the filing. Keep a copy of the filing confirmation and payment receipt.
Mail filings if you cannot e-file
The court strongly encourages mailing filings with the appropriate filing fee if e-filing is not possible. Mail to Clerk, DeKalb County Probate Court, 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030.
Bring completed petition and valid ID
If you cannot e-file or mail, the court says you may book an appointment. Bring a completed petition and valid identification. The petition and last will and testament, if applicable, must be original, not a copy.
Do not print petitions front and back
The DeKalb Wills & Estates page specifically says not to print the petition front and back. This small detail can prevent filing problems.
Estate filing tip: Be prepared to pay filing fees at the appointment. Confirm whether you need certified letters, publication, service, original will handling, death certificate details, or additional estate forms before submitting.
DeKalb County Probate Court Fees, Copies, Letters and Service Costs
The official fee schedule PDF was revised February 14, 2025. It lists estate fees, adult guardianship fees, minor guardianship fees, auditing fees, service fees, copies, certified copies, certified letters and payment notes. Always verify the current fee before filing because additional costs may apply.
Payment notes from the fee schedule: additional costs may apply; a 2.75% processing fee is added to credit/debit card transactions; Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted; American Express is not accepted; bills larger than $20 are not accepted; checks or money orders should be payable to DeKalb County Probate Court.
Adult and Minor Guardianship / Conservatorship in DeKalb County
The official Adult Guardianships page explains that adult guardianship may be needed when an adult lacks sufficient capacity to make or communicate significant responsible decisions about health or safety. It also explains adult conservatorship is for situations where an adult lacks sufficient capacity to manage property.
Health, safety and care decisions
A guardian may be appointed when an adult lacks capacity to make or communicate significant responsible decisions about health or safety. The court lists rights that may be affected, including contracts, medical consent and residence decisions.
Property and money management
A conservator may be needed when the adult lacks capacity to make or communicate decisions concerning management of property. The fee schedule separates adult guardianship/conservatorship filings and real-property-related fees.
Temporary or permanent minor guardianship
The official minor guardianship page directs users to contact the court for minor guardianships and doubtful claims. The fee schedule lists temporary and permanent minor guardianship fees and service/publication costs.
Call before filing
Adult guardianship assistance is listed at 404-371-2896. Minor guardianship and doubtful claims are listed at 404-371-2647. Confirm the correct petition, service, and appointment route before filing.
DeKalb County Probate Court Marriage License and Certified Copies
The official Marriage License page says applications are processed by appointment only and that applying is a two-step process: complete the online application, then return to the page to schedule an appointment. Applicants must bring proof of appointment and required identification.
Online application plus appointment
After submitting the online application, users receive a Receipt Confirmation and must use the order number when scheduling the appointment.
Both applicants must be present
Applicants must provide proof of age. If divorced, a final stamped, sealed certified divorce decree is required; if widowed, proof of death may be required.
Premarital education changes cost
The official page lists $66 plus $2 shipping/handling without a premarital education certificate, and $26 plus $2 shipping/handling with a qualifying certificate.
Marriage records and certificate copies
The page lists $10 for a certified copy of a marriage certificate, marriage license, or marriage license application, with shipping/handling added for online requests.
What DeKalb County Probate Records May Help You Confirm
A search result or docket listing is not always enough for legal use. Probate users often need certified copies, certified letters, exemplified copies, appointments or direct clerk confirmation. Use this table to ask for the correct record.
Restricted records warning: Mental health, sealed, protected-person, minor, adoption, confidential, or court-restricted records may not be available through a public record search or may require court approval.
DeKalb Probate Court Mental Health and Orders to Apprehend
The official Mental Health page lists Orders to Apprehend, also called Lay Affidavits, and provides a contact route. It also says involuntary commitment petitions filed by hospitals must be e-filed via Odyssey eFile Georgia.
Orders to Apprehend contact
The Mental Health page directs users to contact the court for information. The court’s home/location information notes customers filing lay affidavits should arrive by 2:00 p.m. to allow processing time.
Involuntary commitment petitions
The official page states hospital-filed involuntary commitment petitions must be e-filed through Odyssey eFile Georgia by selecting DeKalb County Probate Court and the Probate or Mental Health category.
Urgent safety note: This guide is not emergency help. For immediate danger, call 911 or local emergency services. For filing or procedural questions, use the official Probate Court mental health contact route.
Common DeKalb County Probate Search and Filing Mistakes
Using Superior, State or Magistrate Court first
Probate Court handles estate administration, guardianship appointments, marriage licenses and related probate services. Other courts have different case types.
Treating a docket hit as a certified record
A docket result may identify a case, but it may not satisfy banks, title companies, agencies, attorneys or court filings.
Selecting the wrong Odyssey eFile location or case type
The estate page tells users to select DeKalb County Probate Court, category Probate or Mental Health, and case type Estates for estate filings.
Printing petitions front and back
The Wills & Estates page specifically tells filers not to print the petition front and back. Bring original documents and valid ID for appointments.
DeKalb County Probate Court Address, Hours, Locations and Map
The official Probate Court site lists the mailing address as 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030. The court’s home/location information explains that services are appointment-only and that different Probate Court functions are handled in different locations inside the Judicial Tower.
1000 Judicial Tower, 1st floor
Functions listed include Mental Health, Auditing, Orders to Apprehend, Guardianships, Conservatorships and Records. Appointment-only windows are listed for 8:00-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4:00 p.m.
B190 Judicial Tower, basement floor
Functions listed include Marriage Licenses, Weapons Carry Licenses and Wills/Estates. Appointment-only windows are listed for 8:00-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:00 p.m.
DeKalb County Probate Court
Address: 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030
Parking / transit: The official court site says paid parking is available behind the courthouse at 125 West Trinity Place and the Decatur MARTA station is next to the courthouse.
Useful Related ProbateCourtUSA.org Guides
These internal links are included because they help Georgia probate users compare official court search paths, estate filings, Georgia forms, e-filing, records and certified-copy workflows. For DeKalb County action, still use the official DeKalb Probate Court sources above.
DeKalb County GA Probate Court FAQs
Where is DeKalb County GA Probate Court located?
DeKalb County Probate Court lists its mailing address as 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030. Different Probate Court services are handled at different Judicial Tower locations.
What is the DeKalb County Probate Court phone number?
DeKalb County’s judicial system page lists Probate Court contact as 404-371-2726. The Probate Court service pages also list division-specific contacts, including 404-371-2701 for records and 404-371-3022 for Wills & Estates.
How do I review DeKalb County probate records?
The official Records page says to schedule an appointment to come to Probate Court to review records or to ask for records information by contacting the records office at 404-371-2701.
Can I e-file DeKalb County estate petitions?
Yes. The official Wills & Estates page says estate petitions may be e-filed via Odyssey eFile Georgia. Users should select DeKalb County Probate Court, category Probate or Mental Health, and case type Estates.
Where do I mail DeKalb County estate filings?
The Wills & Estates page says filings may be mailed to Clerk, DeKalb County Probate Court, 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030, with the appropriate filing fee.
How much is a DeKalb County petition for letters of administration?
The official fee schedule lists a petition for letters of administration at $204, plus $60 publication if needed and $10 per certified copy of letters of administration. Verify current totals before filing.
How much are DeKalb County certified copies?
The fee schedule lists copies at $1 per page, certified copies at $10 plus $1 per page, certified letters at $10 per letter, and exemplified copies at $15 plus $1 per page.
How do I apply for a DeKalb County marriage license?
The official marriage license page says applying is a two-step process: complete the online application, then return to the page to schedule an appointment. Both applicants must be present for the appointment.
What does DeKalb Probate Court handle besides estates?
DeKalb County’s judicial system page lists Probate Court functions including estate administration, guardianship appointments, marriage licenses and firearms licenses. The Probate Court website also includes mental health, auditing, records and guardianship services.
Can Probate Court staff complete my forms or give legal advice?
Court staff can provide procedural information and routing, but they cannot act as your lawyer or choose the right petition for you. If you are unsure what to file, contact a qualified Georgia probate attorney.
Best Next Step for DeKalb County GA Probate Court Help
For DeKalb County GA Probate Court, use this order: start with the official Probate Court site, identify the exact service you need, contact Records for record review, use Odyssey eFile Georgia for estate petitions where appropriate, check the fee schedule PDF, then confirm copies, certified letters, appointments and service-window details before visiting or paying.
This page is an independent informational guide published for ProbateCourtUSA.org. It is not DeKalb County Probate Court, DeKalb County Government, Georgia Courts, a government office or a law firm. Always verify urgent or official matters directly with the court or a qualified Georgia attorney.