One of the first things you may choose to do once you pass the California Bar Examination is to attend a swearing-in ceremony where multiple attorneys take the attorney oath at the same time. Taking the oath is not just a ritual. It is required for admission to practice law in California.
But if you are unable to attend such a ceremony, there are a number of officials in California who are authorized to administer the oath, as listed below. During the COVID-19 pandemic, if you are requesting that an official administer the oath virtually, you must confirm that they are authorized to do so.
If you currently live outside of California, it is not necessary for you to return to take the attorney’s oath. An affidavit taken in a foreign country to be used in California, may be taken before an ambassador, minister, consul, vice consul or consular agent of the United States or before any judge of a court of record having a seal in such foreign country. (Code Civ. Proc. § 2014.)
When an affidavit is taken before a judge or a court in another state or in a foreign country, the genuineness of the signature of the judge, the existence of the court and the fact that such judge is a member thereof must be certified by the clerk of the court, under the seal thereof. (Code Civ. Proc. § 2015.) Affidavits and oaths made by military personnel are governed by California Civ. Code § 1183.5.
Please see this page for instructions on virtual swearing-in due to COVID-19.