Is Declaration of Intention Enough?

[jraposa]

Hello,
I am new to this process but am learning a lot. I recently started collecting the documents needed and decided to start with my GGGrandfather's Naturalization Search (I think it's C-file). I did the search and found that he filed a Declaration of Intention 20 years after the birth of my GGrandfather, but there was no record from NARA that ne completed the process.

Currently I have a scanned document if the Declaration of Intention and an email chain from NARA saying that this is the only record they can find. So I guess I have 2 questions that maybe someone could help to answer:

1. Is the Declaration of Intention Scanned email copy enough? Or do I need to request an A-file, get census records, find draft papers, have local courts also conduct searches, etc. (all things people have done that I have come across in my research thus far). I would think the Declaration of Intention dated 20 years after my GGrandfather's birth would suffice, but not sure how strict they are about this stuff.

2. If the Declaration of Intention is enough, will I need to get a certified copy in person/by mail? Or will the scanned copy the NARA clerk sent me be okay?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[jennabet]

No, the Declaration of Intention is not enough to prove your ancestor never naturalized. You will need to submit all of the documents that you have mentioned above except the draft papers.

[mler]

Recently, consulates have been requesting census documents to support "no record" statements, and those "no record" statements are required from both the federal and local courts.

I understand what you're saying. Logically, your ancestor would not have submitted a "Declaration of Intent" had he already been naturalized, but logic does not necessarily prevail in citizenship applications. The "no record" letters provide definitive proof that a person did not naturalize, and this documentation is required.

The consulates do not expect you to obtain "no record" statements from every locality in the country, only in the localities in which your ancestor resided. They then use the census records as confirmation.

Often, proving that no naturalization occurred tends to be more difficult than proving naturalization took place before a child's birth.