Real County Family Court Records

Real County family court records are kept by the county and district clerk in Leakey, Texas. This small Hill Country county handles family law cases including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders through the district court. In Real County, the same official serves as both county clerk and district clerk, which is common in very small Texas counties. If you need to find Real County family court records, you can search online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal or contact the clerk's office directly in Leakey. This page explains what records are available, how to access them, and what filing requirements apply to family law cases in Real County.

Real County Clerk and District Clerk

Real County is one of the smallest counties in Texas, with a population of around 2,840. In small counties like Real, the county clerk and the district clerk are typically the same person. County Clerk D'Ann Green serves both roles. This means that all court records, including family court records, vital records, land records, and probate matters, go through the same office. For family court records, you contact the same office whether you need a copy of a divorce decree, a custody order, or a protective order.

The clerk's office operates out of a post office box in Leakey. Records from 1992 to present are available through TexasFile, a records access service, which provides basic name searches for free and full document access for a fee. For records not on TexasFile, contact the clerk directly. Family court case files, including those stored before the online system was implemented, are available at the courthouse in Leakey during business hours.

Note: Real County is a very small rural county. Call before visiting to confirm hours and the availability of specific records. Staff can tell you what is on file and what requires an in-person visit.

Searching Real County Family Court Records

The statewide re:SearchTX portal is the primary free online tool for searching Real County family court records. Run by the Texas Office of Court Administration, it indexes district court records across Texas. You can search by party name or cause number to find divorce, custody, child support, and other family law cases. Real County is small, and the volume of cases is low compared to larger counties, but the system does cover cases filed there.

Public records from Real County going back to 1992 are also available through TexasFile. A basic name search is free after creating a free account. The search returns document indexes for deeds, liens, and other recorded documents. For family court case files specifically, re:SearchTX or a direct request to the clerk are the better options. For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office in Leakey with a full name or cause number. Staff will help you find the file and can provide copies.

For electronic filing in Real County district court, attorneys use eFileTexas. Self-represented parties may file paper documents at the clerk's office. The Texas courts self-help page at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help has guides for all major case types, including divorce and custody.

The re:SearchTX case portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration is the main online tool for searching family court records in Real County, covering district court filings in Leakey and across Texas.

Enter a party name and select Real County to search for divorce, custody, and other family law case records filed in the district court.

Types of Records in Real County Family Court

Real County family court records include all case types handled by the district court. Divorce is the most common. A completed divorce file contains the Original Petition for Divorce, any response from the other spouse, temporary orders, and the Final Decree of Divorce. The Final Decree sets out property division, conservatorship of any children, the possession schedule, and financial support. These documents are public unless the court has sealed them.

Child custody matters in Real County follow Texas Family Code Chapter 153. The court assigns conservatorship roles to each parent. A managing conservator typically has the primary rights. A possessory conservator has specific times with the child. In small counties, many family law cases are handled more informally and quickly than in larger urban courts, but the same legal standards apply statewide.

Child support is calculated under Texas Family Code Chapter 154 using income-based guidelines. Protective orders, paternity cases, and modification requests also go through the district court and become part of the Real County family court record. All of these are maintained by the county and district clerk in Leakey.

Filing for Divorce or Family Court in Real County

To file for divorce in Real County, you must meet the residency requirements in Texas Family Code Section 6.301. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Real County for 90 days. Once met, file the Original Petition for Divorce with the clerk in Leakey. At filing, you will need to pay the filing fee or submit a fee waiver request if you cannot afford it under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145.

After filing, Texas Family Code Section 6.702 requires a 60-day waiting period before the divorce can be granted. In Real County, where there are no congested dockets, uncontested cases often move through quickly once the waiting period passes. A final hearing is set once all paperwork is in order and the wait has expired.

Court forms are available at txcourts.gov and from the Texas State Law Library. Forms include the petition, the Civil Case Information Sheet, and any child-specific documents needed if children are involved. Self-help guides are free at TexasLawHelp.org. For fee waivers, the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment is also available at the clerk's office.

Fees and Public Access in Real County

Real County family court records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Anyone can inspect public records during business hours at no cost. Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00 certification fee. Make payments by check or money order payable to Real County Clerk. Cash may be accepted in person.

Some records are restricted. Adoption files are confidential. Sealed records require a court order to access. Juvenile records are confidential under the Texas Family Code. Private information including Social Security numbers, financial account details, and driver's license numbers is redacted under Texas Family Code Section 105.006 before records are released to the public.

Note: Always confirm current fees with the Real County Clerk before submitting your request. Fees may change and small counties sometimes have different processing times than larger ones.

Legal Help and Resources for Real County

Real County residents who need legal assistance with family court matters can turn to several resources. The clerk's office can provide forms and locate records but cannot give legal advice. For low-income residents, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid serves the Hill Country region and may be able to assist with divorce, custody, or protective order cases. You can check their service area online or call their intake line.

The Texas State Bar's lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 connects you with a private family law attorney. Many attorneys in the nearby Uvalde or Kerrville areas handle cases in Real County. TexasLawHelp.org has free self-help resources for all major family law case types. The Texas State Law Library has online form packets and guides you can use without leaving home.

For divorce verification and statewide vital records, the Texas Department of State Health Services maintains statewide records of marriages and divorces. This is useful if you need a certified divorce verification and cannot get one from the local clerk's office. The Texas courts self-help page at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help also has step-by-step guidance for filing family law cases in Real County district court.

The Texas State Law Library family law guide provides forms and instructions for divorce, custody, child support, and other family court matters filed in Real County and other Texas district courts.

The Law Library's online guides include form packets for uncontested divorce, custody modifications, and protective orders used in Real County proceedings.

Nearby Counties

Real County is in the Texas Hill Country. Neighboring counties each have their own courts and clerk offices for family law cases.