Title 39Postal ServiceRelease 119-73

§1011 Oath of office

Title 39 › Part PART II— - PERSONNEL › Chapter CHAPTER 10— - EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE POSTAL SERVICE › § 1011

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Before starting work and before getting any pay, all Postal Service officers and employees must take and sign an oath or affirmation. In the oath they promise to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, be loyal to it, accept the promise freely with no hidden reservations, and faithfully carry out the duties of the job they are about to take. People who can give and certify the oath include those allowed to administer oaths under federal or state law, U.S. commissioned officers (civil or military), or Postal Service officers or employees the Board names.

Full Legal Text

Title 39, §1011

Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Before entering upon their duties and before receiving any salary, all officers and employees of the Postal Service shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: “I, ________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.” A person authorized to administer oaths by the laws of the United States, including section 2903 of title 5, or of a State or territory, or an officer, civil or military, holding a commission under the United States, or any officer or employee of the Postal Service designated by the Board may administer and certify the oath or affirmation.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

39 U.S.C. § 1011

Title 39Postal Service

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73