How to become a court, municipal, and license clerks

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.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What court, municipal, and license clerks do

• 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.
• 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.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as answering telephone calls, filing court documents, or maintaining office supplies or equipment.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is court, municipal, and license clerks a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 4% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• District of Columbia $66,130
• Washington $64,680
• California $63,320
• Massachusetts $61,730
• Rhode Island $61,670

Court, Municipal, and License Clerks salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.