Ever tried to buy a piece of land in Centerville and realized you have no idea who actually owns the mineral rights? Or maybe you’re planning a wedding and just found out there’s a 72-hour waiting period you didn’t account for. Honestly, most people don’t think about the Leon County Texas Clerk until they’re standing in the middle of a major life event.
It’s easy to walk past that historic courthouse and think it’s just a pretty building. But inside, it’s basically the hard drive of the county. Every deed, every marriage license, every misdemeanor case, and even cattle brands—it’s all filed right there. If it happened in Leon County and it’s legal, there’s a paper trail for it.
Who is the Leon County Texas Clerk right now?
Right now, Amy Kaiser serves as the Leon County Clerk. She’s been the incumbent managing the office for a while and is currently on the ballot for the March 3, 2026, Republican primary. If you’ve called the office recently or walked into the annex, you’ve likely seen her team at work.
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People often get confused because there’s also a District Clerk—currently Cassandra Noey Wilson. It’s a common mistake. Basically, if you’re dealing with land, marriage, or "smaller" court matters like misdemeanors and probate, you want Amy’s office. If you’re dealing with a massive lawsuit or a felony, you’re headed to the District Clerk.
The records that actually matter to you
The Leon County Texas Clerk manages a massive vault of information. Some of it is online, but some of it requires a good old-fashioned trip to Centerville.
Land and property records
This is the big one. If you are buying property in Buffalo, Jewett, or Normangee, the County Clerk is where the deed gets recorded. They use a system called TexasLandRecords.com for a lot of their modern stuff. You can find deeds and official records dating all the way back to 1828.
Kinda wild, right? That’s before Texas was even a state. However, there’s a catch. A fire in November 1885 destroyed most of the marriage records before that date. If you're doing genealogy and hit a wall around 1884, that’s why.
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Marriage licenses: The 72-hour rule
Planning to elope? You can’t just walk in and get married five minutes later. Leon County enforces a strict 72-hour waiting period. You get the license, then you wait three days before the ceremony can happen.
- Cost: It’s usually $71.
- The "Twogether in Texas" Hack: If you do the state-approved premarital course, that fee drops to $11 and they waive the 72-hour wait.
- Out-of-State: If neither of you are Texas residents, expect to pay an extra $100. Texas likes its own.
Vital Statistics: Birth and death certificates
The Clerk’s office is the local registrar for births and deaths. One thing to keep in mind: while they can pull birth certificates for anyone born in the State of Texas, they can only issue death certificates for people who actually passed away within Leon County.
Also, don't just show up and expect a copy. You need a valid ID and a "justified interest" in the record. They won't just hand over someone’s birth certificate because you’re curious.
Finding records without losing your mind
If you’re looking for something, don't expect a Google-style search to give you everything for free.
The office charges a $5 search fee for most records if you want them to do the digging for you. This applies to probate, criminal, civil, and marriage records. If you want to do it yourself, they have eight public search stations in the office.
Pro Tip: If you're looking for land records, use the online portal. It’s way faster than driving to Centerville if you just need a quick look. But for certified copies—the ones with the fancy raised seal that you need for legal stuff—you have to pay the clerk’s office directly.
Where to go and when
The Leon County Clerk’s office is located at 139 E. Main in Centerville, TX. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 98, Centerville, TX 75833.
They generally keep standard business hours, usually 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. One thing you should definitely know: they stop processing marriage licenses at 4:00 or 4:30 PM because the paperwork takes a bit of time. Don't be the person who rolls in at 4:25 PM expecting a quick signature.
Actionable steps for your visit
If you need to get business done with the Leon County Texas Clerk, follow these steps to save yourself a headache:
- Call ahead (903-536-2352): Seriously. Fees change. Sometimes the systems go down. A 30-second phone call can save you a two-hour round trip.
- Bring the right ID: For marriage licenses or vital records, you need a government-issued photo ID. No exceptions.
- Check the "Wet/Dry" status: If you’re a business owner needing a TABC pre-qualification packet, the Clerk has to certify whether the area is wet or dry for alcohol sales. It costs $5 for the search and another $5 for the certification.
- Register your brand: If you’ve got cattle, you have to register your marks and brands here. These have to be renewed every 10 years. If you missed the last window, your brand might technically be up for grabs.
Whether you're researching your family tree from the 1800s or just trying to get a copy of your deed, the Clerk's office is the gatekeeper. Just remember to be patient—it's a small office handling a whole county's worth of history.