[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR92.18]

[Page 378]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 92_NOTARIAL AND RELATED SERVICES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 92.18  Oaths and affirmations defined.

    (a) Oath. An oath is an outward pledge given by the person taking it 
that his attestation or promise is made under an immediate sense of his 
responsibility to God. In a broad sense the word ``oath'' includes all 
forms of attestation by which a person signifies that he is bound in 
conscience to perform an act faithfully and truly, and in this sense it 
includes ``affirmation''.
    (b) Affirmation. An affirmation is a solemn and formal declaration 
or asseveration in the nature of an oath that a statement, or series of 
statements, is true. When an oath is required or authorized by law, an 
affirmation in lieu thereof may be taken by any person having 
conscientious scruples against taking an oath. As a general rule, an 
affirmation has the same legal force and effect as an oath.