Courthouses in Atlanta, GA: A Local Guide to Finding the Right Court

When someone searches for “courthouse Atlanta GA”, they’re usually trying to figure out where to go, which court they need, and what happens there. Atlanta has several different courthouses, and they each handle specific types of cases.

This guide walks you through the main courthouses in Atlanta, Georgia, what each one does, where they’re located, and how to prepare for a visit.

Understanding the Court System in Atlanta

Atlanta sits primarily in Fulton County, with some areas also in DeKalb County. That means your case may be in:

• A city court (Atlanta Municipal Court)
• A county court (Fulton County or DeKalb County)
• A state- or superior-level court (handling major civil and criminal matters)
• A federal court (for federal cases)

If you have paperwork (a citation, summons, or notice), it usually tells you:

• Court name
• Address
• Date and time
• Case number

Use that as your starting point, then match it with the information below.

Main Courthouses in Downtown Atlanta

Most people looking for a courthouse in Atlanta, GA are headed to one of these major locations in or near downtown.

Fulton County Courthouse (Superior & State Court)

Handles:

• Felony criminal cases (Superior Court)
• Serious civil cases (large monetary disputes, divorces, real estate disputes)
• Some misdemeanor and traffic-related matters (State Court)
• Appeals from lower courts in some situations

Location:

• Fulton County Courthouse
  136 Pryor Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

This courthouse is part of the larger Fulton County Justice Center complex, which also includes nearby court buildings.

Common reasons Atlanta residents go here:

• Divorce or legal separation proceedings
• Major civil lawsuits
• Felony criminal hearings or trials
• Some traffic-related cases and misdemeanors (depending on where the ticket was issued)

Fulton County Justice Center Tower

Handles:

• Many criminal courtrooms for Fulton County
• Various Superior and State Court matters

Location:

• Justice Center Tower
  185 Central Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

If your paperwork mentions “Justice Center Tower,” “Fulton County Superior Court – Criminal Division,” or “State Court of Fulton County – Criminal,” you’ll typically go here.

Atlanta Municipal Court

Handles:

• City of Atlanta traffic tickets
• City code violations (such as some ordinance violations)
• Some misdemeanor matters and local ordinance infractions

Location:

• Municipal Court of Atlanta
  150 Garnett Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Typical reasons to go here:

• A traffic citation issued by Atlanta Police Department within city limits
• Failure-to-appear notices for a city traffic ticket
• Code enforcement tickets tied to Atlanta city ordinances

If your ticket says “City of Atlanta Municipal Court” or includes the Garnett Street address, this is your courthouse.

United States District Court – Federal Courthouse (Atlanta Division)

Handles:

• Federal criminal cases
• Federal civil lawsuits (e.g., federal employment claims, constitutional issues, large multi-state disputes)
• Bankruptcy (through the nearby U.S. Bankruptcy Court)

Location:

• Richard B. Russell Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
  75 Ted Turner Drive SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Most everyday traffic tickets or local criminal matters do not go here. Federal cases usually involve federal agencies, constitutional issues, or federal laws.

DeKalb County Courts Serving Parts of Atlanta

Some neighborhoods with an Atlanta mailing address are actually in DeKalb County. If you live or were cited in eastern parts of the metro area, your case may be in DeKalb County instead of Fulton.

DeKalb County Courthouse (Decatur)

Handles:

• Superior Court (felonies, major civil cases, divorces)
• State Court (misdemeanors, some traffic matters)
• Some civil and criminal hearings

Location:

• DeKalb County Courthouse
  556 N. McDonough Street
  Decatur, GA 30030

Even though this is in Decatur, many Atlanta-area residents, especially on the east side, have cases here.

Quick Reference: Which Courthouse Do I Need?

Below is a simple table to help you identify the likely courthouse based on your situation. Always confirm with your actual paperwork.

How to Confirm You’re Going to the Right Courthouse

Before you head downtown (or to Decatur), it helps to double-check you have the correct court and building.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Read your citation or notice carefully
   Look for:

   • Court name (Municipal, State, Superior, U.S. District, etc.)
   • Street address
   • Division or courtroom

2. Match the address
   Compare what’s printed to the addresses above.

3. Call the clerk’s office
   If anything seems unclear, call the clerk’s office listed on your paperwork and confirm:

   • Court location
   • Check-in instructions
   • Whether your case is still on the calendar for that day

4. Search by case number
   Many Atlanta-area courts allow online case lookups where you enter your name or case number to see your court date and location.

What to Expect When Visiting an Atlanta Courthouse

Most courthouses in Atlanta, GA follow similar entry and security rules. Planning ahead can save you time and stress.

Security & Check-In

• Arrive early: Aim for at least 30–45 minutes before your scheduled time, especially at large courthouses like Fulton County or the federal building.
• Security screening:
  • Metal detectors and X-ray machines
  • Prohibited items usually include weapons, some tools, and sometimes large bags
• Bring ID:
  • A government-issued photo ID is often required
• Electronic devices:
  • Policies vary; in some buildings, phones must be turned off or silenced
  • Certain courtrooms restrict photography and recording entirely

What to Bring

Consider having:

• Court paperwork (citation, summons, court notice)
• Photo ID
• Any documents or evidence you were told to bring
• Pen and notepad for notes
• Contact information for any attorney or witnesses involved in your case

Parking, Transit, and Getting Around Downtown Atlanta

Many Atlanta courthouses are clustered in or near downtown, where traffic and parking can be challenging.

Parking Tips

• Expect paid parking in nearby decks and surface lots.
• Give extra time to:
  • Find parking
  • Walk a few blocks
  • Pass through security
• Some juror instructions may include specific parking guidance; follow that if provided.

Public Transit

• MARTA rail is a common way to reach downtown courthouses:
  • The Five Points and Garnett stations are within walking distance of many Fulton County and Atlanta Municipal Court buildings.
• If you’re unfamiliar with driving downtown, transit can reduce stress around traffic and parking.

Key Atlanta Court Contacts (By Type of Case)

Below is a quick, action-focused reference by typical situation.

1. Traffic Ticket in the City of Atlanta

• Likely Court: Atlanta Municipal Court
• Address: 150 Garnett Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Next steps:
  • Check your ticket for your court date and time.
  • Use the case or citation number if you call or check your case online.
  • Some tickets may allow payment without appearing, but others require you to show up.

2. Fulton County Criminal or Major Civil Case

• Likely Courts:
  • Fulton County Superior Court
  • Fulton County State Court
• Primary Addresses:
  • 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • 185 Central Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Next steps:
  • Use your case number and paperwork to confirm the exact building and courtroom.
  • If you have an attorney, coordinate with them on when and where to meet inside the courthouse.

3. DeKalb County Case with an Atlanta Address

• Likely Court: DeKalb County Superior or State Court
• Address: 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030
• Next steps:
  • Confirm that your address or incident location is in DeKalb County rather than Fulton.
  • Verify court date and time with the DeKalb County clerk’s office or case lookup tools.

4. Federal Case in Atlanta

• Likely Court: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division)
• Address: 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Next steps:
  • Follow all instructions on any notice you receive; federal procedures can be strict.
  • Arrive early due to heightened security and screening requirements.

Practical Tips for Your Atlanta Courthouse Visit

A few simple steps can make your experience smoother:

• 📅 Double-check your court date the day before you go, in case of schedule changes or continuances.
• 🕒 Plan for delays: Downtown traffic, MARTA timing, and courthouse security lines can all run longer than expected.
• 👔 Dress respectfully: While formal attire is not always required, clothing should be neat and appropriate for a court setting.
• 🔇 Silence your phone in the building, especially in or near courtrooms.
• 🧾 Keep your paperwork together: Clip or folder everything so you can quickly show documents if asked.
• ❓Ask questions if unsure: Court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can often help you understand where to go and basic procedural steps.

Understanding how courthouses in Atlanta, GA are organized—and which one handles your type of matter—can save you time, frustration, and missed appearances. Start with your paperwork, match it to the court and address above, and give yourself extra time to navigate downtown or Decatur on your court day.