Monday, December 10, 2012

Commissioners to administer oaths of office

One of the most popular services we provide here at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds is to administer the oath of office to notaries public and other individuals appointed to various positions and commissions.  At least half a dozen registry employees have been appointed as commissioners so there are always at least two of us here (two are required to administer the oath).  There's no need to make an appointment; anyone can walk in during our normal hours and take the oath.  After the appointee recites the oath out loud before the two commissioners, we forward a certificate to that effect to the Secretary of State's "commissions" office.

Commissioners to administer oaths are governed by Massachusetts General Laws chapter 222, section 3 which states as follows:

Section 3. The governor, with the advice and consent of the council, shall appoint commissioners to administer to public officers the oaths of office required by the constitution. Upon administering such oaths, the commissioners shall forthwith make return thereof, with the date of the same, to the state secretary. Neither the state secretary, nor any officer or employee in his department acting as such a commissioner, shall charge any fee for administering such an oath.

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