Oliver was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 11, 1940, to a seat on the United States Customs Court vacated by Judge Charles P. McClelland. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 18, 1940, and received his commission on June 24, 1940. He served as Presiding Judge from 1940 to 1965. Oliver was initially appointed as a Judge under Article I, but the court was raised to Article III status by operation of law on July 14, 1956, and Oliver thereafter served as an Article III Judge. He assumed senior status on June 24, 1967. His service terminated on November 16, 1969, due to his death in New York City, New York.
