Becoming a Court Clerk

The court clerk is an officer of the court who acts as the custodian of the court's files. Acting essentially the secretary of the court, the court clerk maintains records, issues routine documents, collects fees and fines ordered by the court, and disseminates the court's opinions. No judgment of a U.S. court is effective until it is signed by the clerk of the court and entered into the clerk's records. Court clerks are often referred to as the "clerk of the court."

Education, Training & Degrees for Court Clerks

There is no formal degree offered or required to secure employment as a court clerk, and the requirements necessary to obtain the position can vary widely. In virtually all courts, however, a high school diploma or its equivalent is required, and a college degree is preferred. Depending on the level and location of the court, the office of clerk of the court is either an elected position or one filled by appointment.

Job Responsibilities and Desired Skills for Court Clerks

The primary duty of the court clerk is to record and maintain court records. These include documents recorded for permanent retention such as marriage licenses, business licenses, and documents pertaining to adoption, paternity and guardianships, as well as name changes, liens and judgments, and land records such deeds and mortgages.

Another important duty of the court clerk is to collect all fines, fees and payments as determined by court judgments, including criminal fines, court costs, bond forfeitures, child support and others.

The court clerk prepares the docket, or calendar of cases; answers inquiries from the general public regarding all aspects of court procedure and operation; prepares and issues orders of the court, including summonses; and searches files to obtain information for the court. Other services provided by the clerk of the court can include issuing marriage licenses, processing passports, licensing private process servers, and possibly swearing in witnesses and jurors in the absence of a bailiff.

Although this position falls within the judicial system, the clerk of the court is specifically prohibited from rendering any legal advice.

Court Clerk Salary Range and Employment Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 110,000 people were employed as license and court clerks in 2004. Wages for the court clerk position averaged about $14 an hour, or approximately $29,000 a year.

Figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that prospects for growth in this field are about average compared with all other jobs, with an estimated 45,000 additional clerk positions becoming available over the next decade.