# General Provisions (GGP)

## Title 2. Official Oaths

### Subtitle 2. Administration of Oath

#### Section 2-201

An individual who administers an oath shall require the individual taking an oath to hold up a hand in recognition of the solemnity of the act unless:

(1) holding up a hand is not practicable; or

(2) it appears that another method would be more binding on the conscience of the individual taking the oath.

#### Section 2-202

(a) The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor shall take and subscribe the oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution:

  (1) on the third Wednesday of January that next follows the election of the Governor, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, between the hours of noon and 2:00 p.m. in the chamber of the Senate of Maryland; and

  (2)

    (i) before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland; or

    (ii) if the Chief Justice is unable to attend, before one of the associate justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland.

(b) The clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall maintain a book that records the oaths taken and subscribed under this section.

#### Section 2-203

(a) The oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution shall be taken and subscribed before the Governor by:

  (1) the Adjutant General;

  (2) the Attorney General;

  (3) the Comptroller;

  (4) the justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland;

  (5) the clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland;

  (6) the justices of the Appellate Court of Maryland;

  (7) the clerk of the Appellate Court of Maryland;

  (8) the Secretary of State;

  (9) the State Reporter; and

  (10) the State Treasurer.

(b) On the third Monday of January that next follows the election of the Comptroller, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, the successful candidate for that office shall qualify by taking the oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

(c) The Secretary of State shall maintain a book that records the oaths taken and subscribed under this section.

#### Section 2-204

(a)

  (1) A member of the Senate of Maryland shall administer the oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution to the President of the Senate.

  (2) The President of the Senate shall administer the oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution to the other members and officers of the Senate of Maryland.

(b)

  (1) A member of the House of Delegates shall administer the oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution to the Speaker of the House of Delegates.

  (2) The Speaker of the House of Delegates shall administer the oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution to the other members and officers of the House of Delegates.

(c) The members of the General Assembly shall subscribe the oath that the members take under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

#### Section 2-205

Except for a mayor or chief executive officer of a municipal corporation, all officers of a municipal corporation shall take an oath before the mayor or chief executive officer of the municipal corporation if an oath is required by State or local law.

#### Section 2-206

Except for an officer specified in Sec.Sec. 2-202 through 2-205 of this subtitle, an officer elected or appointed to any office of trust or profit under the Maryland Constitution or other State law, including a mayor or other chief executive officer of a municipal corporation, shall take and subscribe the oath required by Article I, Sec. 9 of the Maryland Constitution before a clerk or a deputy clerk of the circuit court.

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Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)