Meet the Clerk
Ryan L. Butler became Indian River County’s eighth Clerk of the Courts and Comptroller on July 1, 2023, following his appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis. Ryan succeeded Jeffrey R. Smith, who retired after eleven years as Clerk.
A native of Vero Beach, Ryan has over 25 years of experience in the public sector and has worked in the Indian River County Courthouse since 1995. He has served as an Assistant State Attorney, Special Assistant United States Attorney, and the Chief Deputy Clerk.
After graduating from Vero Beach High School, Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Duke University and a law degree from the University of Florida, where he was a member of the Florida Law Review and the Order of the Coif. He is licensed as an attorney in Florida and Colorado, and has practiced in Florida and Colorado state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He also maintains a law enforcement officer certification with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and served for fourteen years as a reserve deputy with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Ryan is a member of organizations including the Florida Government Finance Officer’s Association, the Hundred Club of Indian River, and the Taxpayer’s Association of Indian River County. He also volunteers with the United Way of Indian River County and the Sebastian River Days Festival.
Role of the Clerk
In 1838 the Florida Constitution established the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller as an elected Constitutional Officer of the State of Florida. The Clerk’s office performs a wide range of record keeping, information, and financial management for the judicial system, the Board of County Commissioners, and most importantly, the citizens of Indian River County. The Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining court records with the utmost care and security. These court records include criminal felony and misdemeanor cases, civil, family, probate, small claims proceedings, juvenile cases, and traffic citations.
The Clerk of Court is the official recorder and custodian of all documents placed in the Indian River County Official Records. The Official Records are a permanent repository of those documents which primarily relate to real estate transactions. The Clerk collects and disburses court ordered child support and alimony payments. The Clerk issues marriage licenses and is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. The office is responsible for issuing jury summons and distributes payment of fees to jurors.
As Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk attends all Board meetings, records the proceedings, and maintains minutes of each meeting.
The Clerk also serves as the comptroller and internal auditor of the county. In this capacity the clerk ensures that all expenditures of county funds are authorized by law.
The Clerk’s office has been designated by the United States Department of State to receive and process passport applications and is the only agency in Indian River County so empowered.
All records filed with the Clerk are available for public inspection during normal business hours with the exception of those records specifically exempt by judicial order or Florida statute.