Real County Divorce Records

Real County divorce decree records are filed and stored at the District Clerk's office in Leakey, the county seat. Real County is one of the smaller counties in the Texas Hill Country, located northwest of San Antonio along the Frio River corridor. The county has no online access to court records, so all searches must go through the clerk's office directly. The District Clerk maintains all divorce filings and final decrees for the county. Requests are handled by phone, in person, or by mail. This page covers what you need to know to access Real County divorce records.

Real County District Clerk Office

The Real County District Clerk in Leakey is the official custodian of all divorce records for the county. The office serves the district court that covers Real County and maintains all civil case files, from the initial petition through the Final Decree of Divorce. With a very small population, Real County has a small courthouse staff, but they can assist with record searches and copy requests.

Real County has no public online portal for court records. Online access is simply not available for this county. To find a divorce record here, you need to contact the clerk's office directly by phone or visit in person. You can also try the statewide re:SearchTX portal, but coverage for Real County may be limited or absent. Calling the clerk is the most reliable starting point.

How to Find Real County Divorce Records

Call the Real County District Clerk at (830) 232-5202 to start your search. Have the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was filed. The clerk can search the records and tell you whether a case exists, what documents are in the file, and what it costs to get copies. For a small county like Real, this phone call is usually quick and productive.

Mail requests are an option for people who cannot visit Leakey in person. Write to the Real County District Clerk at 100 N. Baylor Avenue, Leakey, TX 78873. Include both parties' full names, the year of the divorce, the type of copy you need, and payment for the estimated fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Allow extra time since small county offices may have fewer staff to process requests.

In-person visits to the Leakey courthouse during business hours are a direct and effective way to get records. Bring a government-issued ID. Staff can look up the case, show you what is in the file, and make copies while you wait. Leakey is a small town in the Hill Country northwest of San Antonio, so plan for the drive if you are coming from a larger city.

To search effectively, have ready:

• Full name of at least one spouse
• Approximate year the divorce was filed
• Cause number if you already have it from other documents

The Texas Department of State Health Services handles statewide vital records data, but the official copy of a divorce decree is always held by the county district clerk where the case was filed, not by the state health department.

For Real County divorces, the District Clerk in Leakey is the sole custodian and the only office that can provide certified copies of decrees.

Real County Divorce Filing Costs

Filing fees in Real County are set by the District Clerk in line with Texas guidelines. A basic divorce case without children costs around $300. Cases with children require additional filings and typically cost more. Texas adds several mandatory surcharges on top of the base fee, which cover court technology, operations, and other required costs. Always call the clerk at (830) 232-5202 to confirm the current amount before submitting a check or money order.

Copy fees are separate. Non-certified copies are about $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. A name search without a cause number may carry an additional search fee. Ask for a full breakdown before sending payment, especially when handling this by mail from a distance.

If you cannot afford to pay filing fees, you can request a waiver. File the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs along with your divorce petition. The form is free and available at txcourts.gov. The court evaluates your income, expenses, and assets and decides whether you qualify for a full or partial waiver of costs.

Divorce in Real County: How It Works

To file for divorce in Real County, Texas residency rules must be met. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Real County for at least 90 days before filing. Real County is a rural Hill Country county, and most residents live in or near Leakey or in smaller communities scattered across the county.

The most common ground for divorce in Texas is insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This no-fault ground means the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no realistic hope of reconciliation. Fault grounds are also available, including cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction. The ground you choose can affect property division, so it is worth discussing with an attorney if you are unsure.

Once the petition is filed, Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period before the divorce can be granted. This rule comes from Texas Family Code § 6.702. The court cannot sign the Final Decree before those 60 days are up. An exception applies in cases involving documented family violence. After the waiting period, agreed cases are often resolved quickly with a judge's signature. Contested cases can take longer.

Texas divides marital property as community property. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, the court splits marital assets in a way that is just and right. Community property generally includes all assets earned or acquired during the marriage. Separate property, like what each spouse owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, is usually not divided.

What Is in a Real County Divorce Decree

The Final Decree of Divorce is the main document from a Real County divorce case. It is the court's official signed order ending the marriage. The decree names both parties, states the grounds for divorce, and sets out the judge's orders on all contested or agreed issues. Property division terms, debt assignments, and if applicable, child conservatorship, possession schedules, and child support are all in the decree.

The broader case file at the District Clerk's office may include additional documents: the Original Petition for Divorce, proof of service, temporary orders from early in the case, financial affidavits, and any settlement agreement the parties signed. Most of these are public records. Financial exhibits like tax returns may be restricted. Documents involving minor children can have limited access depending on any sealing orders the court issued.

Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are legally valid for most purposes. Non-certified copies are acceptable for personal use but are not recognized by banks, government agencies, or other institutions as official proof of divorce. The Real County District Clerk can provide both types for a fee. If you need certified copies for multiple purposes, order all of them at the same time.

Legal Help for Real County Residents

Finding a local attorney in a small county like Real can take some effort, but several resources can help you connect with legal assistance or handle the process on your own.

TexasLawHelp.org is a free online resource with guides and official forms for Texas divorce cases. The site is useful for people filing on their own and covers a range of situations from simple uncontested cases to those involving children and property. All forms on the site are approved by the Texas Supreme Court.

Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents in many Texas counties, including smaller rural ones. Call (800) 733-8394 to ask about eligibility and services in your area. The Texas Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 252-9690 can help you find a licensed attorney who handles cases in the Hill Country area. Official court forms are available at txcourts.gov.

Cities in Real County

Real County is a small, rural Hill Country county. The county seat is Leakey, which is the only incorporated city in the county. Camp Wood is another small community within the county. None of the communities in Real County meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All divorce cases in Real County are filed at the District Clerk's office in Leakey.

Nearby Counties

Real County sits in the Texas Hill Country surrounded by several neighboring counties. Nearby counties include Bandera County to the east, Uvalde County to the west, Edwards County to the northwest, and Kerr County to the northeast. Kinney County borders to the southwest.