About the Office of the County Clerk

Idaho Constitutional and statutory laws have vested this one elective county officer with five distinct titles: Clerk of the District Court, Ex-Officio Auditor, Ex-Officio Recorder, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and Chief Elections Officer of the county.  

The Idaho Constitution established the position of clerk of the district court and provides for the election of this position every four years (Article 5, Section 16).  A separate section of the state constitution provides that the clerk of the district court shall be ex officio auditor and recorder (Article 18, Section 6).  State law provides that the clerk of the district court be ex-officio auditor, recorder and clerk of the board of county commissioners (I.C. 31-20 and 34-112).  In addition, the election laws specify the duties of the county clerk as clerk of the district court in the electoral process (I.C. 34-112). The county clerk also plays and important role on behalf of the Board of Commissioners in overseeing County Medical and Non-Medical Indigent Services, Veteran Services, and junior college tuition assistance for county residents (I.C. 31-21). The Clerk’s Office also accepts U.S. passport applications.  

Clerk of the District Court

As the clerk of the district court, the County Clerk provides clerical support for the county’s district and magistrate courts, and is responsible for the processing and maintenance of all court records generated and filed with the county’s district and magistrate courts. The County Clerk administers the collection of fines, fees, and restitution payments assessed by the court, and manages the selection system for all juries.

Ex-Officio Auditor

As County Auditor, the County Clerk is the county’s chief budget and financial officer. The Office of the County Clerk manages all county revenues and payments, and prepares the county’s payroll. The County Clerk oversees the preparation of the annual county budget, monitor’s the budget’s execution, and prepares the county’s year-end financial reports.

Ex-Officio Recorder

As County Recorder, the County Clerk records, indexes, and files certain types of documents upon payment of required fees. Records of land deeds, including water rights, and adjudications thereof are maintained in the Recorder’s office. The Recorder’s office also issues marriage licenses, liquor licenses, catering permits, and accepts applications for U.S. passports. 

 Ex-Officio Clerk of the Board of Commissioners 

As Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, the County Clerk supports the Commissioners in the regular conduct of its business, such as recoding proceedings of the board, its resolutions, ordinances, orders, and other decisions concerning the raising of money and allowances against the county, signing all orders made and warrants issued for the payment of money, preserving and filing all accounts acted upon by the board, and performing other duties as required by law or by any rule or order of the board.

Chief Elections Officer 

As Chief Elections Officer, the County Clerk’s Election Office coordinates and conducts federal, state, county, and local elections, including voter registration. The Elections Office maintains a list of registered voters and certifies the results of elections.

Indigent, Veteran, and other County Services 

The County Clerk manages several other areas of public services on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, including indigent medical and non-medical financial assistance, veteran services support, and junior college tuition assistance for county residents.