Tennessee § 17-1-104 - Oath of office.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 17-1-104 — Oath of office., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-1-104. Oath of office.
Before entering upon the duties of office, every judge and chancellor in this state is required to take an oath or affirmation to support the constitutions of the United States and that of this state, and to administer justice without respect of persons, and impartially to discharge all the duties incumbent on a judge or chancellor, to the best of the judge's or chancellor's skill and ability. The oath shall be administered in accordance with title 8 or any other applicable law. Code 1858, §§ 309, 310, 3911; Acts 1870, ch. 24, § 2; Shan., §§ 378, 379, 5704; mod. Code 1932, §§ 635, 636, 9890; modified; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, § 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 17-104; Acts 2010, ch. 620, § 1; 2015, ch. 38, § 1. Compiler's Notes For the Preamble to the act concerning legislative intent, please refer to Acts 2015, ch. 38. Amendments. The 2010 amendment substituted “that of this state” for “of this state” in the first sentence; and substituted “such judge, a retired judge, a retired chancellor or an active or retired judge of the court of general sessions” for “such judge or judge of the court of general sessions” at the end of the last sentence. The 2015 amendment substituted “The oath shall be administered in accordance with title 8 or any other applicable law” for “The oath may be taken by a supreme court judge before the governor, or another supreme court judge; and by an inferior court judge, before another such judge, a retired judge, a retired chancellor or an active or retired judge of the court of general sessions.” Effective Dates. Acts 2010, ch. 620, § 2. July 1, 2010. Acts 2015, ch. 38, § 5. July 1, 2015. Cross-References. Administration and filing of oath §§ 8-18-107 — 8-18-114 . Oath of special judge, § 17-2-120 . Law Reviews. Reopening Tennessee's Open Courts Clause: A Historical Reconsideration of Article I, Section 17 of the Tennessee Constitution, 27 U. Mem. L. Rev. 333 (1997).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 17-1-104
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 17-1-104 cover?
Section 17-1-104 ("Oath of office.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 17-1-104?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 17-1-104" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 17-1-104 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.