Real County Marriage Records

Real County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Leakey. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, maintains the official county index, and provides certified copies on request. Real County was created in 1913, and records here begin from that date. The Leakey clerk's office is the right source for new license applications and for searching or obtaining copies of Real County marriage records.

Real County Clerk Office

The Real County Clerk's office is at 146 Highway 83 S, Leakey, TX 78873. The mailing address is P.O. Box 656, Leakey, TX 78873-0656. Phone: 830-232-5202. The county seat is Leakey. The clerk handles all vital records for the county including birth, death, marriage, court, land, and probate records.

Real County was created on April 3, 1913, from parts of Bandera, Kerr, and Edwards Counties. This makes it one of the newer Texas counties, with records beginning only in 1913. For marriages that took place in this region before 1913, you would need to look at Bandera, Kerr, or Edwards County records depending on where the parties lived at the time. Contact the Real County Clerk directly to clarify the scope of available records.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Both applicants must appear in person together at the Real County Clerk's office in Leakey. Each person needs a valid photo ID and Social Security number. No blood test is required. Both must be at least 18. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a Real County license is valid for a ceremony anywhere in Texas.

The standard fee is $81. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can occur. Active duty military members are exempt. A judge can waive the period for good cause with a written order. Completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education course also waives the wait and reduces the fee to $21. The course is free, takes about eight hours, and the certificate is valid for one year from completion.

The license is valid for 90 days. It cannot be renewed. If you do not marry in that window, you must reapply and pay again. Real County is a small, rural office, so calling ahead to confirm hours before making the trip to Leakey is a good idea.

Certified Copies and Record Requests

Certified copies of Real County marriage licenses must come from the Real County Clerk in Leakey. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section can verify a marriage from its statewide index (1966 to present) for $20, but it cannot issue certified copies. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 194.004, certified copies must come from the county clerk of the issuing county.

For certified copy requests, contact the Real County Clerk at 830-232-5202 or visit the office in Leakey. For mail requests, include both parties' names, the date of marriage, and payment. Confirm current fees and accepted payment methods by calling before submitting a mail request. Certified copies carry the official clerk's seal and are accepted for name changes, insurance, government filings, and similar purposes.

Real County Marriage Records History

Real County was formed in 1913, so its marriage records begin that year. Marriages in this region before 1913 would have been recorded in Bandera County, Kerr County, or Edwards County, depending on which parent county the parties lived in at the time. If you are researching pre-1913 marriages from this part of Texas Hill Country, checking those three parent county archives is the right approach.

For genealogical research, FamilySearch may have microfilm collections covering Real County and its parent counties. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also holds some historical Texas records. For records from 1966 to present, the DSHS statewide index is available by mail or online through Texas.gov.

Informal Marriage in Real County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Real County can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office to create an official public record of their marriage. This carries the same legal standing as a formal license.

Three elements are required: agreement to be married, living together in Texas as spouses, and representing to others that they are married. The declaration is the most straightforward way to document these facts. Without it, informal marriage can still be proven in court but requires more documentation and effort. Community property law applies once the marriage is established, and a formal divorce is needed to end it.

Real County Record Sources

The Real County main website provides contact information and guidance on clerk services in Leakey including marriage license and vital records.

Call the Real County Clerk at 830-232-5202 before visiting Leakey to confirm office hours and any current requirements for marriage license applications or certified copy requests.

Cities in Real County

Real County includes Leakey and surrounding Hill Country communities. All marriage licenses for the county are issued at the Real County Clerk's office in Leakey.

No cities in Real County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All marriage records for the county are on file with the Real County Clerk in Leakey.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Real County. Each county's clerk office maintains its own marriage records.