18 USC § 4004 - Oaths and acknowledgments

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s4004"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 4004 - Oaths and acknowledgments"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "4004"
section_name: "Oaths and acknowledgments"
chapter_number: 301
chapter_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
part_number: "III"
part_name: "PRISONS AND PRISONERS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 848; July 7, 1955, ch. 282, 69 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 223(l), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2029.)"
---


# § 4004. Oaths and acknowledgments

The wardens and superintendents, associate wardens and superintendents, chief clerks, and record clerks, of Federal penal or correctional institutions, may administer oaths to and take acknowledgments of officers, employees, and inmates of such institutions, but shall not demand or accept any fee or compensation therefor.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 848; July 7, 1955, ch. 282, 69 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 223(*l*), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2029.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 754 (, §§ 1, 2, ).

Section was extended to include superintendents and associate superintendents.

Minor changes were made in phraseology. Words “the authority conferred by” were omitted as surplusage.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1984— substituted “and record clerks” for “record clerks, and parole officers”.

1955—Act , permitted chief clerks, record clerks, and parole officers to administer oaths and take acknowledgments.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of such amendment, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .