Loyalty Oath of Office

Before candidates elected to office or employees of the state may begin work, they must take a loyalty oath of office. In the oath the candidate elect or employee solemnly swears or affirms they will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona and defend the U.S. and Arizona against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and states they will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of their office.

For a candidate elect, oaths may be taken after receiving the candidate’s certificate of election and before beginning the term of office.

While many public officials throughout the government, including officials in city and county offices, take an oath of office, only official oaths of state elective officers; for example state legislators, the Governor, Secretary of State, superior court judges, notaries public, et al.; are filed with the Secretary of State. The official oaths of all other state officers and employees are filed in the office of the employing state board, commission or agency.

Oaths for public officials not in the employ of the state are with the jurisdiction in which they were elected or appointed. For example, the oath of a county supervisor would be with the county recorder; and, oaths for town or municipal corporation officers or employees are filed in the respective office of the employing board, commission or agency of the city, town or municipal corporation. Oaths for school district and public education institution employees can be found with the district or institution.

Arizona Constitution, Article 6, Section 26; A.R.S. §§ 38-231, 38-232, 38-233