Which office is permitted to administer an oath to a complaint?

• A. Only judges may administer an oath.
• B. Attorneys may administer to clients.
• C. Court clerks, deputy court clerks, and city secretaries may administer an oath to a complaint.
• D. No one may administer without judge's directive.

Answer: (C)

Authority to administer oaths for sworn filings is given to designated officials who handle court documents and records. Court clerks, deputy court clerks, and city secretaries are among those authorized to administer an oath to a complaint because their roles include witnessing, certifying, and ensuring the authenticity of filings. This keeps the process efficient—oaths can be administered without needing a judge present for every filing while still preserving the integrity of the sworn statement. While judges can administer oaths, and attorneys may have other duties, they are not the only officials allowed to take an oath in this context, and requiring a judge’s directive for every oath would unnecessarily slow filings. Therefore, the option listing court clerks, deputy court clerks, and city secretaries as authorized is the best answer.