Eviction in DeKalb County (Decatur), Georgia
Where eviction cases are filed in DeKalb County (Decatur), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in DeKalb County (Decatur)
- Eviction court
- Magistrate Court of DeKalb County (Civil Division) — Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings) Court page
- Filing fee
- $104 to file a dispossessory warrant + $50 Marshal service per named defendant; writ of possession: $13 application fee + $75 Marshal service fee DeKalb County Magistrate Court, Landlord-Tenant Dispossessory page and Dispossessory FAQ
- Notice before filing (state law)
- Before filing a dispossessory affidavit for unpaid rent, late fees, utilities, or other charges, the landlord must give the tenant a notice to vacate or pay all past-due amounts within three business days. The notice must be posted in a sealed envelope conspicuously on the door of the property AND delivered by any additional method(s) agreed upon in the rental agreement. Georgia rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,820/month HUD
- Renter households
- 118,371 (41% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in DeKalb County (Decatur)
Eviction cases in DeKalb County (Decatur) are heard by the Magistrate Court of DeKalb County (Civil Division) (Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings)).
- DeKalb County Courthouse, Administration Tower (Clerk's Office and Civil Matters) — 556 N. McDonough Street, 2nd Floor (Civil Matters Room 230), Decatur, GA 30030; Civil Division 404-371-2261 · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center
Dispossessory calendars are heard Monday-Thursday, beginning at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm, with evening calendars Mondays and Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. Calendars: https://dekalbcountymagistratecourt.com/civil-matters/civil-calendars/. Filing an answer is free. Hours 8:30 am-5:00 pm Mon-Fri.
How much it costs to file an eviction in DeKalb County (Decatur)
$104 to file a dispossessory warrant + $50 Marshal service per named defendant; writ of possession: $13 application fee + $75 Marshal service fee
The court's Dispossessory page states $104.00 to file and $50.00 per named defendant for Marshal service, but a worked example on the same page uses a $54.00 filing fee and $70.00 service for a named defendant plus 'All Others'. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk (404-371-2261) before filing. Writ fees are from https://dekalbcountymagistratecourt.com/about-us/faqs/dispossessories-faqs/. eFileGA charges its own user fee. No charge to file an answer.
Source: DeKalb County Magistrate Court, Landlord-Tenant Dispossessory page and Dispossessory FAQ
How eviction cases work locally
| Writ of possession | Plaintiff applies at the Clerk's Office ($13) after the 7-day answer period; after a judge signs, plaintiff contacts the Marshal's Office (404-371-2930) to schedule the eviction and pays $75. Marshal does not provide labor. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Writ timing | Writ application must be made within 30 days of issuance unless accompanied by an affidavit showing good cause; cases inactive more than 90 days are administratively closed. Source: Official source |
| Mediation | The court publishes a mediation calendar (details not described on the dispossessory pages). Source: Official source |
The Georgia eviction process
Georgia state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including DeKalb County (Decatur):
- Demand for possession; for nonpayment, a notice to vacate or pay within 3 business days, posted in a sealed envelope on the door and delivered by any additional method in the lease (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50(c)-(d))
- Landlord files a sworn dispossessory affidavit
- Summons served by sheriff/deputy, constable, or (since 7/1/2025) an approved process server: personal service, an adult resident, or post-and-mail the same day; tack-and-mail alone supports possession but not a money judgment if tenant defaults
- Tenant answers orally or in writing within 7 days of service (tendering all rent allegedly owed plus the cost of the dispossessory warrant within 7 days of service is a complete defense, which the landlord must accept only once in any 12-month period); if the case is not decided within 2 weeks, tenant must pay rent into court
- Hearing (usually within about 7 days if a valid defense is raised); judgment
- Writ of possession after 7 days; sheriff supervises removal and property is placed on landlord's land. Either party may appeal within 7 days; tenant must pay rent into court to stay in the unit
Full Georgia eviction rules with sources →
Rent in DeKalb County (Decatur)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,585 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,660 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,820 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,182 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,605 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in DeKalb County (Decatur): $1,692/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified.
Eviction help in DeKalb County (Decatur)
Free legal help
- Atlanta Legal Aid Society — Metro Atlanta legal aid (DeKalb is in its service area per the Fulton court's referral list; not linked by the DeKalb court page).
Rental assistance
- Tenant Landlord Assistance Coalition (TLAC) rental help, via DeKalb State Court — Rental assistance information linked from the Magistrate Court's dispossessory page
Other Georgia counties
- Eviction in Fulton County (Atlanta)
- Eviction in Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville)
- Eviction in Cobb County (Marietta)
- Eviction in Chatham County (Savannah)
- Eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)
- Eviction in Muscogee County (Columbus)
- Eviction in Richmond County (Augusta)
- Eviction in Clarke County (Athens)
- Eviction in Bibb County (Macon)
Related
- Georgia landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Georgia
- Georgia eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Georgia (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in DeKalb County (Decatur)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in DeKalb County (Decatur)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in DeKalb County (Decatur)?
What is the fair market rent in DeKalb County (Decatur)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.