Oath of citizenship
Encyclopedia
An Oath of Citizenship is an oath
taken by immigrants that officially naturalizes
immigrants into citizens. It is often the final step in this process, and is usually done in a ceremonial capacity. An oath of citizenship is designed to be a statement of loyalty
and patriotism
to the new country. In countries which retain a monarch
ical system of government, an oath of allegiance to the monarch is often required as well. Adding an oath to God to the end of an oath is usually optional.
: serment de citoyenneté), is a statement recited and signed by candidates who wish to become citizens of Canada
. Administered at a ceremony presided over by assigned officers, the oath is a promise or declaration of fealty
to the Canadian monarch and a promise to abide by Canada's laws
and customs; upon signing the oath, citizenship
is granted to the signer.
I, [name] do solemnly affirm (or swear) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India
as by law established, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of India and fulfil my duties as a citizen of India.
to be legislated. If passed by the Knesset
a newly naturalised citizen of Israel would have to declare that he or she will be a faithful citizen of the State of Israel "as a Jewish and democratic state" and that he or she promises to keep the laws of the state. This is not legislation but a government decision to enact a law (actually to amend an existing law). The proposal if legislated will apply to new Jewish citizens of Israel (even though according to Israeli law Jews are not considered to be naturalised citizens but citizens by birth).
, according to law and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Jamaica and fulfil my duties as a citizen of Jamaica.
, is for new New Zealand
citizens to pledge their loyalty not only to the New Zealand Sovereign
, Queen Elizabeth II, as the personification of the State and the personal symbol of allegiance, but also to the laws and customs of their new country.
Since 1 January 2004, applicants for British citizenship are also required to make a pledge (see Pledges below).
that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens..
All new citizens have the choice of making the pledge with or without the words 'under God'.
As a citizen of Norway I pledge loyalty to my country Norway and to the Norwegian society, and I support democracy and human rights and will respect the laws of the country.
Applicants for Norwegian citizenship are not required to take the oath, it is optional.
as follows:
Persons acquiring British overseas territories citizenship make an equivalent pledge to the relevant British Overseas Territory. In the very unusual cases of an acquisition of British Overseas citizenship, or British subject status, no pledge would be required.
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
taken by immigrants that officially naturalizes
Naturalization
Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
immigrants into citizens. It is often the final step in this process, and is usually done in a ceremonial capacity. An oath of citizenship is designed to be a statement of loyalty
Loyalty
Loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause There are many aspects to...
and patriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
to the new country. In countries which retain a monarch
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
ical system of government, an oath of allegiance to the monarch is often required as well. Adding an oath to God to the end of an oath is usually optional.
Canada
The Oath of Citizenship, or Citizenship Oath (in FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: serment de citoyenneté), is a statement recited and signed by candidates who wish to become citizens of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Administered at a ceremony presided over by assigned officers, the oath is a promise or declaration of fealty
Fealty
An oath of fealty, from the Latin fidelitas , is a pledge of allegiance of one person to another. Typically the oath is made upon a religious object such as a Bible or saint's relic, often contained within an altar, thus binding the oath-taker before God.In medieval Europe, fealty was sworn between...
to the Canadian monarch and a promise to abide by Canada's laws
Law of Canada
The Canadian legal system has its foundation in the British common law system, inherited from being a former colony of the United Kingdom and later a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Quebec, however, still retains a civil system for issues of private law...
and customs; upon signing the oath, citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
is granted to the signer.
India
Officially called the "Oath of Allegiance"I, [name] do solemnly affirm (or swear) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India
Constitution of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...
as by law established, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of India and fulfil my duties as a citizen of India.
Israel
The Israeli government agreed that a controversial draft proposal, clause 5(c) of the Law of Citizenship of 1952, be brought before the KnessetKnesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
to be legislated. If passed by the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
a newly naturalised citizen of Israel would have to declare that he or she will be a faithful citizen of the State of Israel "as a Jewish and democratic state" and that he or she promises to keep the laws of the state. This is not legislation but a government decision to enact a law (actually to amend an existing law). The proposal if legislated will apply to new Jewish citizens of Israel (even though according to Israeli law Jews are not considered to be naturalised citizens but citizens by birth).
Jamaica
I, [name], do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to people of JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, according to law and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Jamaica and fulfil my duties as a citizen of Jamaica.
New Zealand
The purpose of the Oath of Citizenship, as opposed to the Oath of AllegianceOath of Allegiance (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Oath of Allegiance is defined by the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957. All Oaths can be taken in either Māori or English form. It is possible to take a affirmation, which has the same legal effect as an Oath.-Oath:...
, is for new New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
citizens to pledge their loyalty not only to the New Zealand Sovereign
Monarchy in New Zealand
The monarchy of New Zealand also referred to as The Crown in Right of New Zealand, Her Majesty in Right of New Zealand, or The Queen in Right of New Zealand is the constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of the Realm of New Zealand,...
, Queen Elizabeth II, as the personification of the State and the personal symbol of allegiance, but also to the laws and customs of their new country.
Philippines
- I,[name], solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and local orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines, and I hereby declare that I recognize and accept the supreme authority of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto, and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
Singapore
- I, [name], do solemnly swear that I will be faithful,
- and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Singapore,
- and that I will observe the laws and be a true,
- loyal and faithful citizen of Singapore,
- so help me God.
South Africa
- I, [name], do hereby solemnly declare that I will be loyal to the Republic of South Africa, promote all that will advance it and oppose all that may harm it, uphold and respect its Constitution and commit myself to the furtherance of the ideals and principles contained therein.
United Kingdom
- I, [name], [swear by Almighty God] [do solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare] that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, her heirs, and successors, according to law.
Since 1 January 2004, applicants for British citizenship are also required to make a pledge (see Pledges below).
United States
The United States Oath of Allegiance (officially referred to as the "Oath of Allegiance," 8 C.F.R. Part 337 (2008)) is an oathOath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens..
Australia
Officially called the "Pledge of Commitment":- From this time forward, under God,
- I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,
- whose democratic beliefs I share,
- whose rights and liberties I respect, and
- whose lawsLaw of AustraliaThe law of Australia consists of the Australian common law , federal laws enacted by the Parliament of Australia, and laws enacted by the Parliaments of the Australian states and territories...
I will uphold and obey.
All new citizens have the choice of making the pledge with or without the words 'under God'.
Norway
Som norsk statsborger lover jeg troskap til mitt land Norge og det norske samfunnet, og jeg støtter demokratiet og menneskerettighetene og vil respektere landets lover.As a citizen of Norway I pledge loyalty to my country Norway and to the Norwegian society, and I support democracy and human rights and will respect the laws of the country.
Applicants for Norwegian citizenship are not required to take the oath, it is optional.
Romania
- Jur să fiu devotat patriei şi poporului român, să apăr drepturile şi interesele naţionale, să respect Constituţia şi legile României
- I pledge my devotion to my country and to the Romanian people, to defend the nation's rights and interests, to respect the Constitution and laws of RomaniaRomaniaRomania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
United Kingdom
Since 1 January 2004, applicants for British citizenship are also required, in addition to swearing the oath or affirmation of allegiance, to make a pledge to the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as follows:
- I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.
Persons acquiring British overseas territories citizenship make an equivalent pledge to the relevant British Overseas Territory. In the very unusual cases of an acquisition of British Overseas citizenship, or British subject status, no pledge would be required.