About the Clerk's Office
In Indiana, the State Constitution creates the office of 'clerk of the circuit court'. Indiana Statutory law provides for the election of the clerk of the circuit court in each county of the state. The term of office is fixed at four years and no person is eligible to serve as clerk for more than eight years in any period of twelve. The clerk of the circuit court is in charge of the clerical part of the court's business and serves as the chief financial officer for all revenues collected on behalf of the court. The clerk is the custodian of the court's record and seal, issues process, accepts filings of commencement of actions in litigation, enters judgments and orders of the court, receives money, makes certified copies of records, issues many miscellaneous licenses and licenses to practice various professions, and must keep a record of all wills and matters of trust in probate proceedings. In general, the clerk is required to perform all official duties imposed by statute or by lawful authority of the court. The clerk has no judicial authority.
Clerical
- Serve as official custodian of all court records including the seal of the court for both Circuit Court and Superior Courts I and II
- Attest the signature of the judges and affix the seal to all official documents signed by the judge or clerk
- Keep the Record of Judgments and Orders (RJO) of the courts
- Enter all records, orders, and judgments as the courts direct
- File and enter into the judgment docket all judgments handed down by the courts
- By order of the court, issue all court orders, warrants, writs, processes, and other papers.
- Attend any sessions of the court that are requested by the judge
- Administer the duties enacted by the General Assembly in the matter of elections and registration of voters
- Ex-officio member of the county board of elections and board of canvassers
- Jury Administrator
- Member of county commission of public records
- Maintain an index of all bonds which are required by law to be filed
- Issue executions, decrees and orders of sale and fee bills
- Prepare and certify transcripts in cases venued from the county or proceedings in causes being appealed to a higher court
- Prepare and certify judgments in quiet title and partition suites
- Maintain various books of court record
Financial
- Keep a cash record for all receipts and disbursements
- Maintain a register of fees and funds held in trust for all persons which shall be entered by order
- Prepare a monthly financial report
- Make an honest effort to collect all court costs
- Receive and disburse child support money
Miscellaneous
- Furnish copies of record and certify the correctness thereto when required by law