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Northern District of Georgia

DeKalb County Court

DeKalb County courts serve the community by handling civil, criminal, probate, and small claims matters. The Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit oversees Superior Court cases, while State, Magistrate, and Probate Courts address specific legal needs. Filers can choose in-person services or use e-filing platforms like PeachCourt, Clio File, and eFileGA. Contact the Clerk’s Office to confirm eligibility and filing procedures.

Last updated: January 14, 2025

Court Locations

Civil Court Criminal Court

DeKalb County Superior Court

DeKalb County Courthouse
556 North McDonough Street
Ground Floor
Decatur, GA 30030

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parking is available in the deck behind the courthouse for a flat fee of $6.00. Free parking for jurors is available at 125 West Trinity Place

Payment methods
  • AMEX
  • Visa/Mastercard/Debit
  • Echecks
  • Money Order/Cashier Check
Filing information

The DeKalb County Superior Court handles:

  • Felony cases
  • Family law matters (e.g., divorce, custody)
  • Civil cases with claims exceeding $15,000
  • Equity cases and other matters as defined by state law

E-filing is mandatory for:

  • Civil cases
  • Family law matters

Initial e-filing procedure

  1. Prepare documents:
    • Convert documents to searchable PDF format.
    • Ensure lead documents meet formatting standards (e.g., margins, font size).
    • Attach the required supporting materials.
  2. Submit and pay:
    • Use correct filing codes.
    • Pay applicable fees through Clio File, Peach Court, or eFileGA.
  3. Confirm filing:
    • Verify acceptance of filings.
    • Retain submission receipts and file-stamped copies.

General filing procedures

  • Mandatory for all civil and family law cases. Use PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA.
  • Subsequent e-filings: Required for motions, responses, and amendments. Use the same e-filing platforms.
  • Lead documents: Ensure the primary document meets formatting standards, including searchable PDF format, appropriate margins, and font size.

Resources available: Forms, fee schedules, and local rules are available on the court’s website.

Clerk Information

General Information: 404-371-2836
Clerk of Superior Court: 404-371-2451

Additional links

Superior Court Information | DeKalb County

Civil Court

DeKalb County State Court

Division A: 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Division B: 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA 30032

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Division A: Park in the deck behind the courthouse for a flat fee of $6.00. Jurors can park for free at 125 West Trinity Place.

Division B: On-site parking is available. Contact the court for details.

Payment methods
  • AMEX
  • Visa/Mastercard/Debit
  • Echecks
  • Money Order/Cashier Check
Filing information

The DeKalb County State Court handles:

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Traffic violations
  • Civil cases with claims under $15,000

E-filing is mandatory for:

  • Civil cases
  • Traffic violations

Initial e-filing procedure

  1. Prepare documents:
    • Convert documents to searchable PDF format.
    • Ensure lead documents meet formatting standards
    • Attach the required supporting materials
  2. Submit and pay:
    • Apply the correct filing codes.
    • Pay fees through PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA
  3. Confirm filing:
    • Verify acceptance of filings.
    • Retain submission receipts and file-stamped copies.

General filing procedures

  • E-filing: Submit filings for all civil and traffic-related cases through PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA.
  • Optional e-filing: Use e-filing for certain case types, such as civil and traffic-related matters, through PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA. Contact the Clerk’s Office to confirm eligibility.
  • Lead documents: Submit the primary filing, such as complaints, petitions, or motions, as lead documents. Ensure compliance with formatting standards, including margins, font size, and searchable PDF format. Attach and clearly label supporting documents.

Resources available: Access forms, fee schedules, and local rules on the court’s website.

Clerk Information

Phone: 404-371-2822
Email: [email protected]

Additional links

State Court e-Filing Information | DeKalb County

Civil Court Criminal Court

Magistrate Court

3630 Camp Circle
Decatur, Georgia, 30032

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parking is available in the deck behind the courthouse for a flat fee of $6.00. Free parking for jurors is available at 125 West Trinity Place

Payment methods
  • AMEX
  • Visa/Mastercard/Debit
  • Echecks
  • Money Order/Cashier Check
Filing information

The DeKalb County Magistrate Court handles:

  • Civil claims under $15,000 (e.g., small claims cases)
  • Landlord-tenant disputes
  • Garnishments
  • Warrant applications
  • Misdemeanor arrest and search warrant hearings

E-filing in the DeKalb County Magistrate Court is currently permissive, meaning it is encouraged for efficiency but not mandatory

Initial e-filing procedure

  1. Prepare documents:
    • Convert documents to searchable PDF format.
    • Ensure lead documents meet formatting standards
    • Attach the required supporting materials
  2. Submit and pay:
    • Apply the correct filing codes.
    • Pay fees through PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA
  3. Confirm filing:
    • Verify acceptance of filings.
    • Retain submission receipts and file-stamped copies.

General filing procedures

  • E-filing: Submit filings through PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA. E-filing is encouraged for efficiency but is not mandatory.
  • Subsequent filings: Submit subsequent filings for motions, responses, or other case updates through the e-filing platforms. Ensure they meet the same formatting and coding standards as initial filings.
  • Optional e-filing: Available for small claims, garnishments, and landlord-tenant disputes. Check with the Clerk’s Office to confirm eligibility.
  • Lead documents: File primary documents, such as claims or warrants, as lead documents. Ensure compliance with formatting standards, including searchable PDF format, proper margins, and font size. Attach and label supporting documents.

Resources available: Access forms, fee schedules, and local rules on the court’s website.

Clerk Information

Civil Matters: 404-371-2261 Criminal Matters: 404-294-2150

Additional links

Magistrate Court | DeKalb County

Probate Court

DeKalb County Probate Court

556 North McDonough St.
1100 Judicial Tower
Decatur, Georgia, 30030

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Payment methods
  • AMEX
  • Visa/Mastercard/Debit
  • Echecks
  • Money Order/Cashier Check
Filing information

The DeKalb County Probate Court handles:

  • Estate administration (wills, administration, and guardianships)
  • Conservatorships
  • Marriage licenses
  • Firearm permits
  • Mental health cases
  • Other matters assigned under Georgia law

Initial e-filing procedure

  1. Prepare documents:
    • Convert documents to searchable PDF format.
    • Ensure lead documents meet formatting standards
    • Attach the required supporting materials
  2. Submit and pay:
    • Apply the correct filing codes.
    • Pay fees through PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA
  3. Confirm filing:
    • Verify acceptance of filings.
    • Retain submission receipts and file-stamped copies.

 

General filing procedures

  • E-filing: Submit filings through PeachCourt, Clio File, or eFileGA. E-filing is optional but recommended for efficiency.
  • Optional e-filing: Available for estate administration and conservatorship matters. Contact the Clerk’s Office to confirm eligibility and current filing procedures.
  • Lead documents: File primary documents, such as petitions for administration or guardianship, as lead documents. Ensure compliance with formatting standards, including searchable PDF format, proper margins, and font size. Attach and label supporting documents clearly.
  • Subsequent filing: Submit subsequent filings for motions, amendments, or additional documentation through the e-filing platforms. Ensure they meet the same formatting and coding standards as initial filings.

Resources available: Access forms, fee schedules, and local rules on the court’s website.

Clerk Information

Chief Clerk/ Probate Court Administrator: 404-371-2608

Additional links

Probate Court Staff Directory | DeKalb County

Georgia Civil E-Filing Rules

General requirements

Exceptions 

Deadlines and technical failures

Electronic signatures

Format standards

Electronic notices, orders and pleadings

Document service

Sensitive data and sealed materials

Georgia Criminal E-filing Rules

General requirements

Exceptions

Deadlines and technical failures

Electronic signatures

Format standards

Electronic notices, orders and pleadings

Document service

Sensitive data and sealed materials

Georgia Appellate E-Filing Rules

General requirements

Exceptions

Here, you will find information about specific situations where the general e-filing rules may not apply. 

  • Paper Submission: For some appeals, such as habeas corpus, the Clerk may transmit original paper records. However, electronic submission is preferred​.
  • Sealed or in-camera documents: Documents required to be filed under seal, or for in-camera review, must be physically filed and cannot be submitted electronically​.
  • Sensitive materials: E-filing is prohibited for certain sensitive materials, such as original wills in probate cases or grand jury materials​​.
  • Juvenile or confidential cases: Appeals involving juvenile cases or those under seal must follow special procedures to protect sensitive data, including using aliases in parental-rights termination cases.

Deadlines and technical failures

It is crucial to meet filing deadlines to avoid delays in your case. This section explains how the Court determines the filing date, and what steps to take if technical issues prevent you from submitting documents on time.

  • Filing deadline: E-filed documents are considered filed once the EFSP confirms receipt with a timestamp. If confirmation is not received, the document is not considered filed​. Submit documents by 11:59 p.m. on the day they are due. 
  • Technical failures: In case of a system outage or user error, the court may provide extensions or allow for nunc pro tunc (retroactive) filing to meet deadlines​​.

Electronic signatures

Your electronic signature is required for all filings. This section provides the proper format for electronic signatures and explains how they are used in both civil and criminal appeal cases.

  • Multiple Attorneys: When several attorneys are listed on a document, the use of one attorney’s login details implies consent from all listed attorneys​.

Format standards

To ensure consistency and readability, your documents must meet specific format requirements. This section explains the file format, font, spacing, and margin standards you need to follow for electronic submissions.

  • File format: You must submit all appellate documents as searchable PDFs​.
  • Document structure: Documents filed in appellate courts, such as briefs and appendices, must comply with strict formatting rules, including bookmarked PDFs for appendices.
  • Font: Use a 13-point serif font, such as Century Schoolbook​.
  • Length limits: Specific word or page limits apply to briefs and petitions, varying by court and document type.
  • Spacing and margins: Ensure 1.2x to double spacing and one-inch margins on all sides​.

Electronic notices, orders and pleadings

Once your documents are submitted, the Court will send electronic notifications for updates and case actions. 

For all notices, orders and pleadings, filers will receive notifications of case updates and filings electronically through the Court’s system, and exempt parties will receive notifications via mail​ unless otherwise stated by the court. 

Document service

You are required to properly serve documents to all relevant parties in your case. This section outlines the procedures for serving documents and the importance of including a certificate of service with each filing.

  • Serve documents: You must serve documents in compliance with Rule 14 and include a certificate of service with every filing​.
  • Service of records: In appellate proceedings, a copy of the record must be served to all parties. E-service is acceptable for registered parties; those unregistered must receive physical service.

Sensitive data and sealed materials

Protecting sensitive information is critical when filing documents electronically. This section details the requirements for redacting personal data and handling sealed materials in your filings.

  • Redact sensitive information: Filers should avoid including sensitive personal information, such as minors’ names or home addresses, in appellate filings. Sealed appellate records require court approval before unsealing or public disclosure​.

Sealed materials

In appellate matters, filers must submit a motion and follow strict filing rules. Check with your court clerk to see whether both a redacted and an unredacted version are required.

  • Submit sealed materials electronically with a motion requesting the court’s approval to maintain the seal. If denied, filers will need to refile the document according to the court’s instructions.

Disclaimer: This information applies to US practices. These pages are provided for informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal, business or accounting advice.

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