petition for naturalization; declaration of intention

petition for naturalization; declaration of intention Sec. 334. (a) An applicant for naturalization shall make and file in the office of the clerk of a naturalization court, in duplicate, a sworn petition in writing, signed by the applicant in the applicant’s own handwriting if physically able to write, and duly verified by two witnesses, which petition shall be on a form prescribed by the Attorney General and shall include averments of all facts which in the opinion of the Attorney General may be material to the applicant’s naturalization, and required to be proved upon the hearing of such petition. (b) No person shall rile a valid petition for naturalization unless (1) he shall have attained the age of eighteen years and (2) he shall have first filed an application therefor at an office of the Service in the form and manner prescribed by the Attorney General. An application for petition for naturalization by an alien shall contain an averment of lawful admission for permanent residence. (c) Petitions for naturalization may be made and filed during the term time or vacation of the naturalization court, and shall be docketed the same day as filed, but final action thereon shall be had only on stated days, to be fixed by rule of the court. (d) If the applicant for naturalization is prevented by sickness or other disability from presenting himself in the office of the clerk to make the petition required by subsection (a), such applicant may make such petition at such other place as may be designated by the clerk of court or by such clerk’s authorized deputy. (e) Before a petition for naturalization may be made outside of the office of the clerk of the court, pursuant to subsection (d) above, or before a final hearing on a petition may be held or the oath of allegiance administered outside of open court, pursuant to sections 336 (a) and 337 (c) respectively of this title, the court must satisfy itself that the illness or other disability is sufficiently serious to prevent appearance in the office of the clerk of court and is of a permanent nature, or of a nature which so incapacitates the person as to prevent him from personally appearing in the office of the clerk of court or in court as otherwise required by law. (f) Any alien over eighteen years of age who is residing in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence may, upon an application prescribed, filed with, and approved by the Service, make and file in duplicate in the office of the clerk of court, regardless of the alien’s place of residence in the United States, a signed declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States, 66 Stat. 255in such form as the Attorney General shall prescribe. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring any such alien to make and tile a declaration of intention as a condition precedent to filing a petition for naturalization nor shall any such declaration of intention be regarded as conferring or having conferred upon any such alien United States citizenship or nationality or the right to United States citizenship or nationality, nor shall such declaration be regarded as evidence of such alien’s lawful admission for permanent residence in any proceeding, action, or matter arising under this or any other Act.