Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial ProcedureRelease 119-102
§951 Oath of Office of Clerks and Deputies
Title 28 › PART III — COURT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES › CHAPTER 57 — GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO COURT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES › § 951
Summary
Each court clerk and each deputy must take a sworn oath or make a formal promise before starting work. They promise to honestly and accurately record the court’s orders, judgments, and proceedings, and to perform all other duties fairly and to the best of their ability. The promise can be a religious oath or a nonreligious affirmation and may include the traditional words asking for God's help.
Full Legal Text
Title 28, §951
Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Each clerk of court and his deputies shall take the following oath or affirmation before entering upon their duties: “I, ___ ___, having been appointed ___, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will truly and faithfully enter and record all orders, decrees, judgments and proceedings of such court, and will faithfully and impartially discharge all other duties of my office according to the best of my abilities and understanding. So help me God.”
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 512 (R.S., § 794; Mar. 3, 1911, ch. 231, § 291, 36 Stat. 1167). Section 512 of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., applied only to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and clerks and deputies of the district courts. This section is applicable to the Supreme Court and to all courts established by act of Congress. The last sentence of section 512 of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., reading “The words ‘So help me God.’ shall be omitted in all cases where an affirmation is admitted instead of an oath,” was omitted as unnecessary because on affirmation such words would not be included. As revised, the section conforms with section 453 of this title providing for the form of judicial oath. Minor changes were made in phraseology.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
28 U.S.C. § 951
Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102