Oath of Office and Bond-Clerks of Court

Court clerks and their deputies must take an oath of office specific to the office of court clerk as well as the constitutional oath. T.C.A. §§ 18-1-103, 18-1-104. Oaths of office are covered under the General Information tab of the County Offices topic.

Bonds are covered under the General Information tab of the County Offices topic. Every clerk must enter into a bond of $50,000 in counties with a population of less than 15,000 and $100,000 in counties with a population of 15,000 or more, or the court may require a greater bond. T.C.A. § 18-2-201. After being acknowledged before, approved and certified by the court, the bond must be entered upon the minutes of the court within 30 days and must then be recorded in the office the county register of deeds and transmitted to the county clerk for safekeeping. T.C.A. § 18-2-205. See also T.C.A. § 8-19-103 (Recording of bonds of county officers); T.C.A. § 8-19-115 (Time of filing).

Courts may require their clerks to give bond in such sum as the court may deem sufficient to cover property or funds that may at any time come to the hands of such clerks as special commissioners or receivers. T.C.A. § 18-2-202.

The court may also require special bonds to meet particular exigencies, and in a suitable penalty, whenever, in its judgment, the interest of suitors render it necessary. T.C.A. § 18-2-204.