Clerk L.O.V.: Bringing Public Service to the People

By Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of public service is:

1. the business of supplying a commodity (such as electricity or gas) or service (such as transportation) to any or all members of a community,
2. a service rendered in the public interest,
3. governmental employment.

As a county clerk, I believe all three definitions fit my role: a countywide elected official tasked with, in the most general and broadest of terms, keeping the records—a position that is undervalued and unappreciated by most, until they need a document.

In public service, it is ideal to strive to serve your constituency to the best of your ability.  In today’s world full of skepticism, it is a bigger challenge to make residents feel that they are being served by their government.  It is imperative, therefore, that we find new and better ways to deliver our services.

Making services accessible has become easier in some ways and more difficult in others.  For instance, many of our services, such as ordering copies of documents, can be performed online.  However, because not every citizen has access to the Internet or a computer, these things can be seen as obstacles.  Still other citizens may be leery of a credit card breach and would rather not give credit card information online.

Smart technology has changed the way people communicate with each other and has led to a smart phone in the hands of millions of children and adults.  However, a smart phone can be a barrier to entry into our courthouse, unless you’re a card-carrying member of the State Bar.  Traveling to the courthouse can also serve as a barrier to services as we have limited public transportation and I won’t elaborate on navigating around the county campus and parking.

A Clerk L.O.V. visit in Bloomfield Township.

With all these obstacles, we decided that we should bring our services to the communities.  Every month, my staff members and I travel to a municipality or two, to hold Local Office Visits or as I’ve dubbed them, “Clerk L.O.V.”  We arrive with two large wheeled cases that contain a laptop computer and printer, as well as the stamps, paper, and forms necessary to provide the services we offer.  Almost every service we provide at our courthouse office is made available at the Clerk L.O.V., which are held in libraries, senior centers, and city/township halls.  We send out press releases, e-mail blasts, and sometimes door-to-door notifications of where we will be and when.  The host location will often include it in their newsletter, too.

During these Clerk L.O.V. visits, residents conduct regular clerk-related business.  As far as the court part of the office, people file court documents; apply for or renew their notaries public; and purchase copies of court records.  At Clerk L.O.V., the most common request is for copies of divorce decrees.  The next common document request are copies of the latest support and/or parenting time orders, which are required to accompany a motion to change either of those actions in Oakland County.  We are able to provide regular, true, and certified copies upon request.  We are able to accept the same forms of payment as we do in our courthouse office, which include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards, making it easier for customers to transact their business.

The convenience to our customers is evident.  While we may not always have a line of people at the door, those who participate are very grateful and appreciate the effort we make to better serve our constituents.  Some like the service so much that they call the office to obtain the Clerk L.O.V. schedule.  We also have locations and organizations requesting visits.

If you have questions or would be interested in setting up your own Clerk L.O.V., my staff and I would be happy to assist you.  Contact us at clerk@oakgov.com.

Lisa Brown is serving her second term as the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds. 
Previously, Lisa served as State Representative for Michigan’s 39th District from 2009 to 2012, where she was a member of the Judiciary committee.  She is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Detroit College of Law, and a member of the State Bar of Michigan.  A lifelong resident of Oakland County, Lisa lives in West Bloomfield with her family.  Lisa has received honors from numerous groups and has appeared on national television and radio programs.