NJ Senate Confirms Hanlon As Monmouth County Clerk

Clerks: Christine Giordanp Hanlon and her predecessor M. Claire French

Clerks: Christine Giordano Hanlon and her predecessor M. Claire French. MMM file photo

Christine Giordano Hanlon was confirmed as Monmouth County Clerk today by a unanimous vote of the New Jersey State Senate.

Hanlon was nominated by Governor Chris Christie in February to fill the anticipated vacancy created by former Clerk M. Claire French’s retirement announcement. She has been serving as Acting Clerk since French left office at the end of business on March 31.

“I am honored to have been confirmed today, and can now be sworn in as the Clerk of Monmouth County,” said Hanlon. “It is my privilege to serve the citizens of Monmouth County in this capacity and I look forward to continuing the great work of my predecessor, M. Claire French.”

Hanlon’s nomination was supported by Monmouth Senators Joe Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck and Robert Singer, as well as Republican County Chairman Shaun Golden and outgoing Clerk M. Claire French. “Christine has our full support and we are confident she will do an exemplary job as Clerk,” said Senator Kyrillos. “Her background as an attorney for over 20 years and as a Commissioner on the Monmouth Board of Elections makes her exceedingly qualified for this position and we know she will do a great job.”

Kyrillos and Beck issued a joint statement congratulating Hanlon. “We congratulate Christine on being affirmed as the county clerk. She is the right choice for the people of Monmouth County , and we are confident that she will continue to excel in executing some of the most vital government services, just as she has in the past in her impressive community and organizational leadership positions.”

The County Clerk’s office provides all real property records for the County (mortgages, land title deeds, liens, trade names and many other documents); manages the county’s electronic records archives and the county’s open public records system; prepares election ballots, processing vote-by-mail applications, tabulating election totals and certifying election results to the Secretary of State; assists people seeking passports; and stores a high volume of the County’s archival and historic records, some of which date as far back as the 17th century.

The County Clerk’s Office also provides resident and veteran identification cards to County residents, administers oaths to notaries and public officials and performs wedding ceremonies.