The County Clerk is elected for a four-year term and is responsible for keeping records of birth, death, assumed names, co-partnerships, and issuing and filing marriage licenses. In addition, the Clerk's Office processes concealed pistol licenses and notary applications. The Clerk also serves as the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners, the Board of Canvassers, and the Circuit Court. The Clerk is also a member of the Plat Board and Election Commission. The Clerk also serves as an officiant for wedding ceremonies.

One of the more prominent responsibilities of the Clerk is serving as the chief election official in the County. As such, the Clerk administers all election functions required by law. Part of those duties include the supervision of all national, state, and local elections and also the training of election workers in the County for those communities with a population of under 10,000. The Clerk is also responsible for the administration of the Michigan Campaign Finance Reporting Act for those candidates that file for office at the local level.