Clerk of Courts
Clerk of Courts:
Kim Redman
CONTACT:
Phone: 419.523.3110
Fax: 419.523.5284
HOURS:
Monday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
The clerk of courts offices are the point of entry to the court systems throughout the state of Ohio.
All cases, documents and judicial orders filed within the Putnam County common pleas court and the Putnam County municipal court are processed through the clerks’ offices. The automobile and watercraft title division is also under the supervision of the Clerk of Courts.
Legal Division
The Putnam County clerk of courts legal departments plays a vital role in serving the interest of justice in our communities.
Responsibilities include filing, docketing, indexing and preserving all court pleadings for civil, felony, domestic relations, traffic, misdemeanor and small claim cases. The Clerk of Courts must follow procedure required by law in issuing writs to carry out court orders which include summons, subpoenas, warrants to arrest and conveyance to penal institutions. The Putnam County Clerk of Courts serves as Clerk for the Putnam County Common Pleas Court and the Putnam County Municipal Court.
Civil cases filed in Common Pleas Court include those asking for judgment of $15,000 or more. Civil Cases filed in Putnam County Municipal Court are those seeking a judgment of $15,000 or less. Small Claims cases are those seeking judgment of $6,000 or less.
Additionally, the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas processes appeals cases from all lower courts within the county and transmits these cases to the Third District Court of Appeals in Lima, Ohio.
The Clerk and office staff are responsible for collecting all revenue relating to court costs, bond, fines and criminal restitution in both court systems. These monies are then disbursed to the proper accounts of the county and state government.
Along with processing all Court paperwork, the Clerk of Courts is responsible for preserving all records for use by future generations. Civil and Domestic records in the Clerk of Courts office have been microfilmed dating back into the early 1950s and microfilming of felony criminal cases are microfilmed as far back as 1974. A records scanning process began in 2005 in which cases are scanned into the court computer system.
The Clerk of Courts handles all applications for Notary Public and requests to renew those commissions. All notary commissions are microfilmed or scanned into court records.
Passport Services
Currently, all U.S. citizens must show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada , Mexico , the countries of the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea.
On June 1, 2009 , the U.S. government implemented the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The proposed rules require U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport book, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card. Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. The goal of WHTI is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler. Before you travel, make sure you know the entry requirement of the county you plan to visit.
Passport books are always required for international air travel, regardless of age.
Applying For A Passport Book
- US citizens may apply for a U. S. Passport book in our Title Department, located on the first floor of the Courthouse, Monday thru Friday, by Appointment only. Please call (419) 523-8729 to schedule an appointment. You will be asked to bring the following items with you:
- A completed passport application, sections 1 through 22 only (form DS-11). Application forms may be picked up in the title office or you can download and print an application at www.travel.state.gov.
- DO NOT SIGN ON APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE LINE YET!
- One 2” x 2” Passport photo. (School pictures, computer images are not acceptable).
- A certified copy of your birth certificate or your most recent passport.
- Your drivers license or another photo ID. If Drivers license is not available, Military ID or
- State ID accepted.
- A $130.00 check or money order made payable to US DEPARTMENT OF STATE for anyone age 16 years or over. For anyone age 15 and under the amount is $100.00.
- Cash or a check made payable to CLERK OF COURTS for $35.00.
Applying For A Passport Card
The passport card is only valid for re-entry into the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda. The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, 5 for children 15 and younger.
A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form DS-82, may apply for a passport card as a Renewal. First time applicants for a US Passport, and those not eligible to use the DS-82, should apply for a passport card using form DS-11. The same documents are required when applying for a passport card as when applying for a passport book. For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $30.
First-time applicants will pay $30 for adult cards and $15 for children. Checks should be made payable to: US Department of State. The Clerk of Courts office will collect $35, which can be paid in cash, check or money order.
Passport Book And/Or Card Renewal
These can be mailed directly by customer to Passport Agency if:
- Passport book/card can be submitted.
- Passport book/card was issued less than 15 years prior.
- Applicant was at least 16 years of age when passport book/card was issued.
- Applicant’s name is the same as on the passport book/card or applicant can submit proper documentation to reflect why name has changed (marriage or court order).
The renewal form (DS-82) can be obtained in the Title Office or downloaded and printed from travel.state.gov.
The following items must be submitted with the application:
- Most recent us passport book and/or passport card.
- A marriage certificate or court order if your name has changed.
- One 2” x 2” Passport photos (School pictures, computer images are not acceptable).
- A $130 check or money order made payable to US DEPARTMENT OF STATE (for book renewal) or a $30 check or money order made payable to US DEPARTMENT OF STATE (for card renewal).
Expedited Service (Book Only)
An additional fee of $60 plus $19.53 for return postage is required for an expedited passport application. This is necessary if a customer needs a PASSPORT FASTER THAN THE NORMAL PROCESSING TIME. Express mail to the passport agency is also required and can be obtained at the customer’s local post office.
Age Requirement
Individuals, ages 16 and 17, should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can present proof of identification. Children under 16 years of age will require both parents’ signatures or written proof explaining why both parents cannot sign. The consent form (DS-3053) can be obtained in the Title Office or downloaded and printed from travel.state.gov.
Kim Redman
Clerk of Courts
Kim has been employed in the Putnam County Clerk of Courts office for the past twelve years. She was appointed to the position of Clerk of Courts in January 2019.
Kim is proud of her staff of twelve county residents and credits improved technology within the offices to the strong work ethic of her employees. Kim serves on the Putnam County Investment Committee and the Putnam County Records Commission.
She is active in the Ohio Clerk of Courts Association, acquiring the annual required units of education to receive certification with that organization.
A resident of Putnam County, Kim grew up in the Ottawa-Glandorf community and makes her home in Union Township with her husband Ken and daughter Elsa.