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May 2008 & Other Policy Changes 
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Announcement (May 2008) concerning the U. S. Government requirement to renounce all titles of nobility, etc. in order to become citizens of the United States
The April 2008 announcement had to be updated because of questions and clarifications:
We have in the past, unfortunately, answered some inquiries to the effect that the renunciation requirement for naturalization to become a citizen of the United States destroys all pretensions to noble or royal title or rights, because a renunciation is final and permanent in international law and includes ones posterity. U. S. federal code 8 USC section 1448, subsection (b) states:
In case the person petitioning for naturalization has borne any hereditary title, or has been of any of the orders of nobility in any foreign state, the petitioner shall in addition to complying with the requirements of subsection (a) [omitted] of this section, make under oath in open court in the court in which the petition for naturalization is made, an express renunciation of such title or order of nobility, and such renunciation shall be recorded in the court as part of the proceedings. (www.heraldica.org/topics/usa
/usnob.htm)
The Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR 337.1) accordingly provides the following:
A petitioner or applicant for naturalization who has borne any hereditary
title or has been of any of the orders of nobility in any foreign state shall,
in addition to taking the oath of allegiance prescribed in paragraph (a) of
this section, make under oath or affirmation in public an express renunciation of such title or order of nobility, in the following form:
(1) I further renounce the title of (give title or titles) which I have
heretofore held; or
(2) I further renounce the order of nobility (give the order of nobility)
to which I have heretofore belonged. (Ibid.)
Refined conclusions:
1. Even though the law requires a renunciation of nobility---titles and orders, etc., if no instrument of renunciation is implimented during the naturalization process by omission or otherwise, then legally, no lawful renunciation of title or nobility actually took place. Lose of nobility does not occur automatically in the process of becoming a citizen of the United States. If no renunciation takes place at any time, then no lawful relinquishment is imposed on one's noble status.
2. Hereditary noble titles are a family possession. A domestic renunciation, if it takes place, only impacts the person who renounces his or her title. No one else in the family is effected by this act of surrender or abandonment.
3. People with German titles of nobility are not required to go through the process of renunciation in the United States, because German titles and orders of nobility no longer legally exist in the domestic law of Germany. One cannot renounce a title that does not legally exist domestically under the law. Therefore, the German nobility are not required to renounce their titles or noble status. (Note that even though nobility does not exist or is not recognized under domestic law, they exist under international law by virtue of the supreme or sovereign authority under which they were originally granted. (See: "Sovereignty & The Future of Nobility and Royalty")
4. Individuals who hold titles and/or nobility in other countries that no longer legally recognize such are, likewise, no longer required to renounce their titles or nobility. If, by mistake, an individual is required or obligated to do so, such a renunciation would be null and void. It is invalid because
the title or order of nobility they rightfully possess does not legally exist under current domestic law. You cannot abdicate a title you do not own on a domestic legal basis.
5. Sovereign Noble, Royal and Imperial titles are subjects of international law. (See: "Sovereignty & The Future of Nobility and Royalty") Such are therefore exempt from the domestic law, because Royal and Imperial titles, whether "de jure" or regnant are considered to be the exclusive or sole domain of the laws of nations. No domestic renunciation, under the laws of any country, can destroy royal rights, succession or sovereignty. A true renunciation under international laws can only be done under the appropriate "de jure" or regnant authority and witness; and must be fully accepted and acknowledged of the royal family in question. Hence, the U. S. renunciation law only impacts non-sovereign titles or nobility. Renunciation of sovereignty under domestic law is invalid or empty of effect.
We sincerely regret having given the impression that all rights were lost in becoming U.S. citizens by virtue of the laws of the United States.
Policy Change to take effect immediately April 20, 2008
We have had a large number of inquiries on genealogy, that is, if we do genealogy. We do not and probably never will, but we, as a direct result, made arrangements with an accredited firm of professional genealogists that we can refer interested parties to. They have access to the best resources available on earth and a computer data base bar none. Therefore, for anyone who desires professional services, we will be glad to refer them. This is a service. There will be no monetary return for us. We are, however, pleased to be of some benefit and held in this regard. Please see "ROYAL & NOBLE GENEALOGY."
Policy Change to take effect January 1, 2008 allowing manorial titles to be certified as genuine titles, but not as titles of nobility
It is a fact, that one who possesses a British manorial title is, as a matter of law, a "Lord"---a Lord of Such and Such Manor. Not of the same caliber as the high noble title of a Baron, Earl, Marquis or Duke, but these lesser non-noble titles are an important segment of history and were officially recognized in the United Kingdom by Government Bureaus and under the Law of
Property Act of 1922-1925. In consideration of the above facts and that other non-noble titles, such as "Baronet" and "Sir" are eligible for certification, the Board felt that British manorial titles should, in all fairness, also be included. Although permission is now granted to include the certification of manorial titles, it is done so with the sobering recognition that demonstrating that one actually owns such a title may be extremely difficult or impossible to prove with any degree of accuracy. It must be remembered that no compromise of standards will be given to any claim of this nature. As in all other certifications, proof of such must be clear and convincing for provisional approval. Full certification for manorial titles or any other claim must be beyond reasonable doubt for the Board to recognize such as truly authentic and genuine or to have this high level of credibility.
Policy Changes that took effect October 1, 2007
instituting a new category of membership
Because we have had a number of requests to register genealogy "as is" and to register genealogy in a higher category, but not at the same stringent requirements that certification exacts, we are introducing two new membership categories for genealogical claims only. They are:
(1) Provisional Registration
(2) Full Registration
A registered member of the International Commission on Nobility and Royalty has submitted genealogy that shows one's ancestor were illustrious---meaning they connect to a noble or royal line at some point in history. Provisionally registered genealogy is "as is." No confirmation or verification of the ancestral line has been attempted. Full registration of one's genealogy has been confirmed to be at least at the "preponderance of evidence" level or 51% level of assurance.
As more proof is discovered, submitted and verified, one can upgrade to one's genealogy to a higher confidence level, such as, a certified level. This is required in cases where a hereditary title or the claim of nobility or royalty is being considered for certification. Hereditary claims are always dependent on proof of valid ancestry and the ancient laws that govern that transmission of such honors. Hence, hereditary claims require certification. The provisional certification status level necessitates that the evidence is "clear and convincing" (a 70% level of confidence). Full certification is the highest level. It is "beyond reasonable doubt" (a 90% level of confidence).
It is believed that the new membership levels of provisional registration and full registration
will encourage further genealogical research and result in many lines being upgraded to full certification so that claims may be given the respect that they deserve based on solid, undeniable evidence.
Policy Changes that took effect May 1, 2007 for Certified Members only
1. We are making a policy change based on past experience. The board for two years would not pass any claim for any honor whatsoever unless we had a hard copy letter in our files from the source that honored the individual confirming it to be true and accurate. This has worked, but it has taken such an excruciatingly long time to get those letters that we have considered a new way to satisfy the evidence requirements. The other problem we have encountered is that it has been like pulling teeth to get those letters from some Orders or some lieutenancies, whereas, they will readily confirm claims by return e-mail or on the phone. Therefore, we have decided that we will
no longer required letters on letterhead for simple confirmations such as knighthoods from recognized and acknowledged Orders. In lieu of having such letters, we will now accept e-mail and telephone confirmations. We feel this will not alter the quality of our confirmations, because we are making the contacts and getting that information directly from the source—the Order itself.
2. In addition, since we do not certify particular offices in an Order, such as, knight commander or knight grand cross, but just knighthood itself, and because we only acknowledge the fact that an individual holds one authentic knighthood, which we consider to be one of the greatest honors an individual can have. We will no longer verify each and every knighthood, or other honor, an individual holds unless there are unusual circumstances.
3. If we discover that an individual is presently involved with a phony knighthood order, uses a bogus or highly questionable title or other honor, or claims a genuine knighthood, title or other honor, which he or she does not, in fact, hold, we will not be able to certify such a person or
allow continued certified membership. If that person admits and forsakes what is counterfeit, then certification and continued membership is welcomed and encouraged. If such a person will not repudiate what is false, then we must reluctantly disavow them as certified members. They are, however, welcome to continue as regular members to help promote monarchy, nobility, royalty and chivalry via contributions or membership renewal.
4. The process of repudiation, or clearance from an accusation, may take as long as six months depending on the circumstances involved. We do not want to ever act rashly or in haste without getting the true facts and allowing for sufficient time.
We believe these changes in policy will decrease the waiting time needed for certification for simple cases, and will, we hope, ensure that anyone certified will only claim what is true and authentic.
We encourage you to read and enjoy the articles that follow, which are informative and can deepen one's understanding of the whys and wherefores as well as the true and permanent rights of royalty, nobility and chivalry. The following articles are considered to be especially important and valuable:
For "Contact" information or to join the Commission as a contributor or apply for certification for titles, knighthood, status or ancestry, please first read the "Disclaimer and Obligatory Contract." If you fully agree with them, you are welcome to contact us, make contributions, answer our survey and/or become a part of this important cause. Our goals and mission are to protect the public from counterfeit titles, phony knighthoods and fake genealogies. We also want to certify the true and the genuine as well as promote chivalry, royalty and nobility. We need your support. There is so much that needs to be done. We invite you to contribute and join with us. %%
We welcome your answers to the seven questions on our "Survey" page and to make a comment if you like. But, first, before you do so, please read either the article entitled "IDEALS" and/or the one entitled "ADVANTAGES."
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