The 22-year-old has spent the last few weeks training with the Brewers and after impressing during a season-long loan spell last season, he will now spend the first half of the 2012-13 campaign at the Pirelli Stadium.
A deal between the two clubs was initially agreed last week, however the paperwork was finally completed and ratified late on Wednesday evening.
Atkins has featured in all of Burton’s pre-season friendlies so including the 1-0 defeat to Nigel Clough’s side last weekend, a game in which summer-recruit Michael Jacobs netted a 49th minute winner.
The terms of the current deal will see Atkins stay with the Brewers until 12th January 2013; however, there is a view to extending the move until the end of the season.
Atkins is a graduate of Derby County's Academy and he made his first-team debut for the Rams on the final day of the 2009-10 season against Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
He had previously enjoyed loan spells at Southport, Kidderminster Harriers and Tamworth before joining Burton last season after Derby swooped to bring their first-choice shot-stopper Adam Legzdins to Pride Park.