§ 212.43 Powers of clerks

Court clerks have specific legal powers to help keep cases moving. The chief clerk, deputy chief clerks, and regular clerks can administer oaths, which means they can legally swear someone in before they give testimony or sign a sworn statement. They can also take acknowledgments, which is a formal way of confirming that a person signed a document willingly and is who they say they are. In addition, they can sign official court paperwork, like orders directing someone to do something (mandates) or documents that start or move along a case (process).

The rule also allows other court staff, who aren't clerks, to get these same powers. This happens only if the Chief Administrator of the Courts issues an order allowing it. So while clerks automatically have this authority, other employees need special permission first.