Dekalb County, GA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

DeKalb County is home to over 245,000 parcels of land. Healthcare, education, the airport, and proximity to Atlanta drive the local property market. Property records are kept under the custody of the Clerk of Superior Court, the Board of Tax Assessors, and the Tax Commissioner.

Homes are concentrated in the northern part of DeKalb, including Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Doraville. Among homes in the county, single-family houses account for the majority of the housing stock. An average home spends 73 to 77 days on the market before selling, slightly faster than the state average of 67 days.

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How to Look Up DeKalb County Property Records

DeKalb County property records are accessible to the public through three main official portals. You may check ownership, assessments, and parcel information through the Board of Assessors' Property Appraisal portal. View your tax bill or pay property taxes online through the Property Tax Portal provided by the Tax Commissioner. Electronic copies of deeds, mortgages, and liens are available at the GSCCCA Portal.

To obtain certified copies of recorded land documents, visit the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court in Decatur. You can contact the clerk’s office at (404) 687-3812 for additional inquiries.

Who Keeps DeKalb County Property Records?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, property records are public documents. The law permits anyone to view or obtain copies of DeKalb County property records from the custodians. You may contact the following agencies:

• Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk of Superior Court’s Office records, processes, and keeps all documents that relate to real estate in DeKalb County. It has a real estate division that maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, subdivisions, satisfactions, and plats.

• Tax Assessor’s Office: The Tax Assessor’s Office or the Property Appraisal Department in DeKalb County establishes the fair market value of all taxable property in the county. It also handles applications for homestead exemptions from property owners.

• Tax Commissioner: The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office collects and distributes property taxes to the taxing entities.

How to Search DeKalb County Property Records Online

You can pull up DeKalb County property records online by taking these steps:

1. Identify the Parcel: Visit the Tax Assessor’s Property Appraiser portal and search the parcel by using the parcel ID, owner name, and property address.

2. Open the Parcel Details: From the search results, open the parcel that matches the specified criteria to view the property profile. You will find details, including the property details, mailing address, current ownership, fair market value, exemptions, notices of assessment, and property tax information.

3. Pull the Recorded Documents: For recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, and other recorded documents, search the LandmarkWeb or GSCCCA platform. You can use the owner’s name, recording date, document type, or book and page number to search the portals.

4. Verify the Current Tax Status: Visit the DeKalb County Property Tax portal to view prior tax bills and confirm the current tax balances for any property. You may obtain other information, including the payment status, due dates, and any outstanding balance with interest, from the portal.

5. Request Certified Copies if Required: If you need a certified copy of any recorded land records, visit the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office in Decatur. Applicants must pay certain fees to cover the cost of this service.

Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens

The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office handles official land documents in the county.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s Office or PropertyAppraiser'sl Department evaluates property assessments and establishes all properties at their fair market price.

Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments

The Tax Commissioner’s Office processes tax bills and collects property taxes from property owners in DeKalb County.

Property Tax in DeKalb County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals

The basis for a property tax is the property's fair market value, which is established by the Property Appraisal Department on January 1 of each taxable year. The department sets the assessed value of a property at 40% of its fair market value. Eligible exemptions are deducted from the result. The resulting value is then multiplied by the millage rate (mill), levied by various entities in the county.

• Property tax due = assessed value x millage rate

• Assessed value = FMV x 40%

Homestead exemptions

Homestead exemptions can reduce the amount of property tax owed on a property.

• Basic Homestead Exemption: In DeKalb County, homeowners applying for a basic homestead exemption must own and occupy the home as their primary residence as of January 1. They may claim a reduction on the first $2,000 of the property’s assessed value. Eligible homeowners can apply for the exemption online or submit an application to the Tax Assessor’s Office by April 1 of the current tax year.

• Local Additions: Other special homestead exemptions are available to DeKalb County residents. These include tax exemptions for disabled veterans, senior exemptions for homeowners 62 or older, and additional exemptions for homeowners 65 or older who meet income requirements.

Applicants must have an existing homestead exemption on their primary property to qualify for a special homestead exemption. Some cities in the county offer other local exemptions. Eligible individuals may contact the Property Appraisal Department for additional details.

• CUVA & FLPA: Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) and Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) are specialized 10-year tax covenants designed for farmers. They reduce tax bills by assessing qualifying properties based on their agricultural value rather than their fair market value.

Appealing an assessment

If you are dissatisfied with an assessment, file an appeal with the DeKalb County Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days from the date of the assessment notice. You can do so online or submit a completed appeal of assessment form in person or by mail to the County Board of Tax Assessors.

You may choose to file your appeal with the Board of Equalization, a hearing officer, or a non-binding arbitrator. If you disagree with the decisions, you can advance the dispute to the DeKalb County Superior Court.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

DeKalb County hosts its Geographic Information System on the official GIS Hub. You can access maps and view parcel details, including boundaries, ownership, sales history, and aerial layers.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

If a property owner does not pay property taxes, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office may issue a tax lien against the property. This is the first step in taking a property to tax sale. You can check the official tax sale property listings to view properties scheduled for sale.

The office holds a tax sale through a public auction on the first Tuesday of any given month in front of the courthouse. To participate in a tax sale, applicants must register in advance, either online or in person on the morning of the sale.

Right of redemption

A successful bidder receives a tax deed but does not have immediate control over the property. The property owner may reclaim it within 12 months of the sale by paying the redemption price. The redemption price includes the full purchase price paid by the purchaser, a statutory 20% premium during the first year, and any additional taxes paid by the purchaser.

Costs to Access Property Records

To record or obtain copies of DeKalb County property records, an applicant must pay specific fees. According to state law, these fees include.

How to Record a Document

Follow these steps to record a property document in DeKalb County:

1. Prepare the Document: Ensure it is completed in accordance with Georgian recording standards. It should include the owner’s full names, notary acknowledgment, preparer information, and description of the property. For transfer of property, attach a completed transfer-tax declaration form to your document.

2. Calculate Fees: Check the official real estate filing fees to confirm the applicable recording fees. Additional costs may also apply to the recording fees. These include a transfer tax of $0.10 per $100 of consideration and an intangible recording tax of $1.50 per $500 of loan. For additional inquiries, contact the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court by phone at (404) 371-2836.

3. Submit to the Clerk: Submit your completed documents to the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court in person, by mail, or online through the GSCCCA portal or approved e-recording vendors. Once submitted, the Clerk’s Office reviews the document, collects recording fees, and assigns a recording number. Afterward, the document is registered and becomes part of the county’s real estate records.

4. Retrieve a Copy of the Recorded Document: You may quickly view and print it online through the GSCCCA portal. Another option is to visit the courthouse or submit a request by mail to the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your DeKalb County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals