Find DeKalb County Background Checks

DeKalb County background check searches can go through two main agencies: the Sheriff's Office and the DeKalb County Police Department. This is one of the most populated counties in Georgia, sitting just east of Atlanta in the metro area. Sheriff Melody Maddox oversees the sheriff's office, which handles record requests from its Memorial Drive location in Decatur. The police department also processes background check records from its Tucker office. With multiple law enforcement agencies and a large population, DeKalb County has more options for running a background check than most Georgia counties.

DeKalb County Sheriff Background Checks

Sheriff Melody Maddox runs the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office at 4415 Memorial Drive in Decatur. The phone number is 404-298-8111. The sheriff's office handles criminal history record requests using name-based searches. Staff check local files and query the Georgia Crime Information Center database for matches. You will need a valid photo ID, your full legal name, and your date of birth to start the process. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours, and the office can get busy given how many people live in DeKalb County.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's website has information about services and office hours. You can also reach the office through their contact page for questions about record requests. Because DeKalb County is a large metro county, the volume of requests means processing times can be longer than in smaller rural counties. Some checks come back in a day or two. Others may take up to a week if the search is complex or if the office has a backlog.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's website provides information about services offered by the office, including how to request criminal history records.

DeKalb County Police Records

Unlike most Georgia counties, DeKalb County has its own police department separate from the sheriff's office. The DeKalb County Police Department is at 1960 West Exchange Place in Tucker, GA 30084. The non-emergency line is 404-294-2911. For background check questions specifically, call the records line at 770-724-7445 or send an email to dkpdprecords@dekalbcountyga.gov. The police department maintains its own records of arrests and incidents, which can be an important source when you need a thorough DeKalb County background check.

Having two agencies means records may be split between them. An arrest made by DeKalb County Police will be in their system, while the sheriff's office maintains jail booking records and court-related files. If you want the most complete picture, checking with both agencies is a good idea. The police department records unit can tell you what they have and what the sheriff's office would need to provide separately. This setup is specific to larger metro counties and is something to keep in mind when searching for DeKalb County criminal history.

The DeKalb County Police Services page shows how to contact the records division for background check requests and incident reports.

Criminal Court Records in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has its own judicial circuit, which means the superior court handles a high volume of criminal cases. The Clerk of Superior Court in Decatur maintains case files covering felony charges, misdemeanor cases, plea agreements, trial results, and sentencing records. You can visit the courthouse to look through these files. The DeKalb County court system also includes state court and magistrate court, each handling different levels of criminal matters. State court deals with misdemeanors and some civil matters, while magistrate court handles preliminary hearings and minor offenses.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can release criminal history information to private citizens when specific conditions are met. Not every record will appear in a standard check. Georgia law protects juvenile records and sealed cases. The First Offender Act lets certain people keep a conviction off their public record after they finish their sentence, so a DeKalb County background check may not include every case that went through the court. Given the size of the county, there are a lot of cases flowing through the system each year.

State Search Options for DeKalb County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation offers statewide tools that cover DeKalb County records. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 and lets you look up felony convictions by name across all 159 counties. It is fast and easy to use. Just type in a name and see if there are any matches. The limitation is that it only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanors, pending charges, and arrests that did not result in a conviction will not appear.

For a more complete DeKalb County background check, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo gives the deepest results. Fingerprint checks search both GBI and FBI databases, which means you can find out-of-state records too. The results are more accurate than name searches because fingerprints avoid the false matches that come with common names, and there are a lot of common names in a county this size. IdentoGo has multiple fingerprinting locations in the DeKalb County area, so access is convenient. Results typically come back in 24 to 48 hours.

The full list of GBI services is at gbi.georgia.gov/services.

DeKalb County Background Check Costs

A name-based search at the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office runs between $15 and $25. Call 404-298-8111 to check the current fee. The police department may charge a separate fee for their records. The state felon search is $15 online. Fingerprint-based GAPS checks cost more and come with a service fee at the IdentoGo site. Payment options vary between agencies, so confirm before you go.

DeKalb County processes a high volume of background check requests because of its population size. Fees and processing times can change, so always verify with the specific office you plan to use.

DeKalb County Sheriff Contact

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a list of all county sheriffs in Georgia.

• Sheriff's Office: 4415 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
• Sheriff Phone: 404-298-8111
• Sheriff: Melody Maddox
• Police Dept: 1960 West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084
• Police Non-Emergency: 404-294-2911
• Background Line: 770-724-7445
• Records Email: dkpdprecords@dekalbcountyga.gov

The contact page on the DeKalb County Sheriff's website has the latest address, phone, and email details for the office.

Mail Requests for DeKalb County

You can mail a background check request to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office at 4415 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032. Include your full name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the processing fee. Do not send cash. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, there are rules about who can request criminal history records and how the data can be used. Make sure your request meets these requirements. Mail requests take longer in a busy county like DeKalb. Allow at least two weeks for the full process.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County contains several cities with their own municipal services. Background checks for cases within city limits may involve local police departments in addition to the county agencies listed above.

Nearby Counties

DeKalb County borders several metro Atlanta counties. If your search covers a wider area, these links can help.