The NY1 clip highlights a formal but mandatory step in New York City government: before any incoming official (elected, appointed, or hired) can begin duties, they must file an Oath of Office with the City Clerk and pay a $9 filing fee (by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk).
Substantively, the oath is a compliance instrument: the official swears (or affirms) to support the U.S. Constitution and the New York State Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of the position, consistent with City requirements and forms used across NYC agencies. The clip also notes that, beyond the filing itself, the incoming mayor controls the public-facing swearing-in format—including venue, timing, who administers the oath, and whether any religious text is used.
As a reference point, NY1 cites Mayor Eric Adams’ approach: he took the oath on January 1, 2022, in Times Square, immediately following the New Year’s Eve ball drop. NY1 concludes that it will be monitoring what Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s official swearing-in and start-of-office will look like, framing it as a notable early signal of governing style and priorities.
