Missing marriage certificate - impact citizenship?

[desmo907]

I have been researching my family for a few years since there were rumors about my GF. Grandparents (on fathers side) came here on different boats in 1907, must have met in Providence, RI (I see the notations on the manifest that they both went to the same street to see their siblings), and married the next year.
At least that is what I assume as my GF completed a Declaration of Intention (to naturalize) and indicated he married in 1908 in Providence. However a search indicates he never did naturalize (I have a letter from State Dept records).

My understanding is that I need proof of his marriage to my GM but the State of RI does not have a record (nor does CT where he later settled and raised a family). The Declaration of Intention indicates he did marry in 1908 in Providence however. State of RI told me to check the Churches but so far I cannot locate any record (still waiting on final word from Holy Ghost Church).

My understanding is that I need this marriage record for my Grandparents. I have birth and death certificates for my father, birth certificates for me and my son (who I hope can get citizenship too), and death certificate for my GF. GF was born in Italy but I don't think i need that record - but I heard its best to get it.

But am I out of luck if I cannot find any Church or State record of my Grandparents marriage? And would a Church record even be llegit to use?
(We found out later that GF left his first wife and 2 kids in Italy, then must have met my GM here in Providence shortly after arrival. So maybe he never officially married GM here.)

[cedrone]

An expert on this forum said that often declarations made by immigrants were not the truth, there were no real verification, so it is probable that the marriage of 1909 was not existing nor as civil nor in a church. Probably they declared to be married in all following censuses.

[cedrone]

However if you know tjat your GF was married in Italy a new marriage was possible only if the first wife died before, because there was not divorce in Italy at that time.

[cedrone]

So you should first search for documents from Italy, birth act and marriage act and also death act of the wife. If she was in life in 1909 the husband couldnot marty again

[desmo907]

He left his wife in Italy... as far as I know, no divorce.
Married my GM here in the States - supposedly....
I suspect you are right that he never married here but just wrote a date on the Declaration of Intention (though never naturalized), and on various Census.
I will still try the Church for a record though as I know I need that and GF and GM birth records from Italy