AGENCY: Division of Archives and Records Service

SERIES: 17170
TITLE: Oaths of office
DATES: i 1903-
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by year, thereunder alphabetical by surname.

DESCRIPTION: These records contain the oaths of office of state officials. Newly elected officials, judges, appointed commission members, agency directors, and special law enforcement officers in Utah are required to take a prescribed oath of office prior to exercising their duties. Each solemnly swears to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Utah State Constitution, and to discharge the duties of the office with fidelity. Upon administration of the constitutional oath, a record documenting its administration is created. This record is a standard form on which the constitutional oath of office is printed, with blank spaces for adding the official's name and office title. This form is subscribed by the individual taking the oath. The person administering the oath (notary public, judge, etc.) also signs the record and imprints the form with an official seal or stamp, along with the date the oath was administered. UCA 52-1-2 (1984) dictates that the oaths of office of all state officials be filed with the Division of Archives. Statutes and policies also require many other local public officials to take the constitutional oath of office before beginning their duties as well, but these are retained in the records of local governments. It is not uncommon for an oath to be retained indefinitely by an agency or filed with the wrong office. For oaths missing from this series, check the records of the agency in which the official served, those of the office statutorily

RETENTION

Permanent. Retain for 25 year(s)

DISPOSITION

Transfer to Archives.

RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION

Retention and disposition for this series is authorized by Archives general schedule Agency history records, GRS-1723

AUTHORIZED: 05/31/2018

FORMAT MANAGEMENT

Paper: Retain in Office for 25 years and then transfer to State Archives with authority to weed.

Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently.

Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently.

Microfiche master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

Microfiche duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

Computer data files: Retain in Office for 25 years and then transfer to State Archives with authority to weed.

APPRAISAL

Administrative Historical

This disposition is based on both the evidential and informational value of these records. They are important research tools. These oaths may be used to document the organization of the agency/office and to identify individual persons serving in elected and appointed positions.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public