Information and Record Clerks

How to become a Court, Municipal, and License Clerk

Official title: Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

Also called: City Clerk, City Recorder, City Secretary, Court Clerk, License Clerk, License Specialist, Motor Vehicle Licensing Clerk, Municipal Clerk, Permit Service Representative (Permit Service Rep), Town Clerk

Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.

Main tasks

Plan or direct the maintenance, filing, safekeeping, or computerization of all municipal documents.
Examine legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws or court procedures.
Record case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees.
Answer inquiries from the general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances, trial dates, adjournments, outstanding warrants, summonses, subpoenas, witness fees, or payment of fines.
Perform general office duties, such as taking or transcribing dictation, typing or proofreading correspondence, distributing or filing official forms, or scheduling appointments.
Question applicants to obtain required information, such as name, address, or age, and record data on prescribed forms.
Instruct parties about timing of court appearances.
Perform administrative tasks, such as answering telephone calls, filing court documents, or maintaining office supplies or equipment.

How to become one

Information clerks typically need a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job. Some employers may prefer to hire candidates with some college education or an associate's degree, depending on the occupation.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $48,700 a year The middle half earn $40,810 to $60,840.
About 187,000 people work in this job now, and about 193,300 are projected by 2035. (+3.4%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Court, Municipal, and License Clerk?

How much does a Court, Municipal, and License Clerk earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $48,700 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $40,810 to $60,840.

Is a Court, Municipal, and License Clerk a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 187,000 to about 193,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Court, Municipal, and License Clerk?

Not always. 30% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Court, Municipal, and License Clerk?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.