Find Real County Obituary Records
Real County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Leakey, Texas. Located in the Texas Hill Country along the Frio River, Real County has vital records dating from 1913.
Real County Overview
Real County Clerk Death Records
The Real County Clerk's office in Leakey is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Real County from the county's formation to the present are held here. The clerk accepts in-person and mail requests. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 193, records less than 25 years old require qualified applicant status. Records 25 years or older are open to the public.
Real County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, located in the rugged Hill Country where the Frio River cuts through limestone canyons. Leakey is the county seat and sole town of any size. The county is known for its natural beauty -- the Frio River draws tubers and campers in summer. Ranching and tourism are the main economic activities. The remote location makes the DSHS online system the most practical option for death certificate requests from Real County.
| Office | Real County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 750, Leakey, TX 78873 |
| Phone | (830) 232-5202 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching Real County Obituaries
Order Real County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Real County records. For genealogy, FamilySearch at familysearch.org and the Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov are the main free resources. Legacy.com at legacy.com may carry obituary notices from area Hill Country papers.
Note: Real County was created in 1913 from Bandera, Edwards, and Kerr counties. Check those counties for records before 1913. Online ordering is strongly recommended for this remote Hill Country county.
Requesting Real County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Real County Clerk, P.O. Box 750, Leakey, TX 78873. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Real County Obituary Records
Real County was created in 1913, so its own records begin then. Before 1913, residents were part of Bandera, Edwards, and Kerr counties, and genealogy researchers should check those counties' records for earlier ancestors. The area was settled primarily by German immigrants who arrived in the mid-1800s and by Hispanic families with older roots in the region. Ranching along the Frio River canyons was the main activity for generations. The county has always been small and isolated, and even today its population is just a few thousand. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Real County entries.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains the statewide death record index that includes Real County entries.
The Real County Clerk in Leakey maintains death certificates and vital records for this remote Hill Country county.
Texas Law and Real County Death Records
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 193.003, death certificates must be filed within 10 days. Records under 25 years are restricted per Chapter 193. Older records are public. Section 193.007 covers delayed registration. The DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death maintains the statewide index including Real County.
Real County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (830) 232-5202, order online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov, search at FamilySearch and the Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov. Obituaries appear on Legacy.com.
Nearby Counties
Real County is located in the Texas Hill Country along the Frio River.