The position of Clerk of Council is an appointed position and defined in the Kent City Charter Section 32.  The Clerk of Council must reside within the Kent City limits, and serves at the pleasure of Council.

The Clerk of Council is charged with notification of all meetings of Kent City Council in accordance with the State of Ohio Open Meetings Act. The Clerk of Council is responsible for processing all materials for these meetings, attending these meetings, and recording these meetings into official journals.  All ordinances and resolutions passed by the Kent City Council must be authenticated by the Clerk of Council's signature.

Linda Copley has served as Clerk of the Kent City Council since 1990.  Ms. Copley became a Master Municipal Clerk in 2003, the highest level of certification attainable for municipal clerks, through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

Kent City Council's Standing Rules lists the duties of the Clerk of Council, and one of those duties is to serve as the parliamentarian of their meetings. Ms. Copley became a Registered Parliamentarian in 2003, and is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

The Kent City Council's website, www.kentohio.org, made its debut in 1999.  Since that time, it has grown to be an informative tool for citizens and those people considering Kent for employment or school.  The Clerk of Council is responsible for maintenance and updating of this website.

PASSPORTS

REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSPORTS

Applications can be picked up at the Kent City Council office or downloaded through the http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html web site. Please fill out your application (print legibly or type) as completely as possible.

1. TWO (2) IDENTICAL PASSPORT PHOTO

a. Pictures must meet requirements as noted on reverse side of your application
b. No school picture are allowed

2. EVIDENCE OF BIRTH – Choose ONE – It will be returned with your passport (NO PHOTOCOPIES ALLOWED)

a. Certified Copy of your Birth Certificate
b. Naturalization Certificate
c. Previous Passport
d. Children under the age of 14 MUST SUBMIT a Certified Copy of their Birth Certificate regardless if they have been issued a previous passport

3. IDENTIFICATION – Choose ONE

a. Drivers License
b. Government I.D. Card
c. All children MUST BE PRESENT when applying for a Passport
d. Both parents MUST BE PRESENT when applying for children under the age of 16, or fill out the “STATEMENT OF CONSENT OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: ISSUANCE OF A U.S. PASSPORT TO A MINOR UNDER THE AGE OF 16” form that can be picked up at our office or downloaded through the http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html web site.  (PLEASE NOTE, THIS FORM MUST BE NOTARIZED)

4. PASSPORT FEE –CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY, NO CASH
Make checks payable to: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

a. $75.00 – Age 16 and over (valid for 10 years)
b. $25.00 – Age 15 and under (valid for 5 years)

5. ACCEPTANCE AGENCY FEE  – CHECK OR  MONEY ORDER

Make checks payable to: City of Kent

a. $25.00 – For each applicant regardless of age

Clerk of Council

217 E. Summit Street

Kent, OH  44240

Every day but Wednesday, between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

No appointments are necessary, but it is wise to call ahead (330-678-8007) to be sure Ms. Copley will be available, as exceptions such as illness, vacation, and personal leave time may result in the office being closed.

No passports are accepted on Wednesdays.

Effective Feb. 1, 2004, every minor child shall appear when applications is made for a passport, regardless of their age.  Additionally, both parents or legal guardians must appear to make application.

Effective March 8, 2005, a $12.00 surcharge was added to the cost of all new passports and all renewals, pursuant to the FY2005 Omnibus Appropriations Act.  The above-listed fees include this surcharge.

To find out about the processing time for a passport, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website at

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html

For further information on passports, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website by clicking here.