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Free Public Resource · All 50 States

How to Obtain a Certified
Oath of Office

Select your state, the type of official, and the court level below. This tool generates a jurisdiction-accurate, printable instruction sheet telling you exactly where to send your request, what to say, what it costs, and what to do if you are denied.

1
SelectChoose your state, the type of official, and their court or jurisdiction level.
2
GenerateThe tool researches current requirements for your exact jurisdiction and creates a custom instruction sheet.
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Print & RequestPrint or save your one-page guide. It includes the exact language to use in your records request.
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ShareOnce you have the oath, upload it to the National Oath Repository to grow the public record.
State Officials
Usually obtainable via public records
Most state oaths are filed with the Secretary of State or Division of Elections and are public records. Certified copies are typically $1–$5 per page.
Federal Officials
FOIA applies to executive branch only
Cabinet officers and agency heads are subject to FOIA (5 U.S.C. § 552). However, the federal judiciary is NOT subject to FOIA — federal court oaths require a direct request to the court clerk.
Federal Judges — Important
No legal right to compel disclosure
Federal courts are a co-equal Article III branch and are explicitly exempt from FOIA. You may request a judge's oath from the court clerk, but they are not legally required to provide it.
If Denied
You have options
For state records, denials may be appealed to the state's Attorney General or through court action. For FOIA denials, you may appeal within the agency and then to federal court. Your guide will explain the process for your jurisdiction.
Oath Request Instruction Generator
Generate Your Custom Step-by-Step Guide
Used to personalize the request language
Helps generate more specific instructions
Any special circumstances that should be addressed in the instructions
Researching requirements...

Quick Reference — Common Jurisdictions

The most frequently requested oath records and where to find them:

Florida — All State Officials
Florida Division of Elections
Submit a public records request by email or letter. Certified copies are typically $1/page. Response within 10 business days.
dos.fl.gov/elections
Federal — Executive Branch Officials
FOIA Request to the Agency
Submit a FOIA request (5 U.S.C. § 552) directly to the relevant department. FOIA.gov has a central submission portal. Response required within 20 business days.
FOIA.gov — Submit Request
Federal — Judicial Branch
Court Clerk's Office (No FOIA Right)
Federal courts are FOIA-exempt. Send a written request directly to the district court clerk. No legal requirement to respond. The PACER system holds some court records.
Find Your Federal Court
All Other States
Secretary of State or State Archive
Most states require oaths to be filed with the Secretary of State. Some states use the State Archive or Supreme Court administrative office. Use the generator above for your specific state.
State Government Directory

📋 Once You Have the Oath

When you receive a certified copy of a public official's Oath of Office, compare the language against the constitutionally required oath from 1 Stat. 23 (June 1, 1789): "I will support the Constitution of the United States." If the oath instead pledges loyalty to the "Government of the United States," the "State of [State]," or any other corporate entity — it is a de facto oath. Upload your certified copy to the National Oath Repository to add it to the public record.