Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/43

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT xxi The widow and minor children of an alien who dies after he has de- clared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States and before he has secured naturalization are considered as citizens of the United States upon taking the oaths prescribed by law. 8. Who may issue j^assports. — Under the law passports can be issued in the United States only by the Secretary of State. In a foreign country they may be issued by the chief diplomatic representative of the United States ; or, in the absence of a diplomatic representative, by a consul- general ; or, in the absence of both, by a consul. — lievised Statutes^ sees. 4075, 4078. 4. Applications. — A citizen of the United States desiriug to procure a passport nuist make a written application, in the form of an affidavit, to the Secretary of State. If he is temporarily abroad, he must apply to the nearest diplomatic representative of the United States ; or, in the absence of a diplomatic representative, to the highest consular officer of the United States. The necessary affidavit may be made before a consular officer of the United States. In this country the affidavit nmst be attested by an officer duly author- ized to administer oaths. If he has no seal, his official character must be authenticated by certificate of the proper legal officer. If the applicant signs by mark, two attesting witnesses to his signa- ture are required. Every applicant is required to state the date and place of his birth, his occupation, and the place of his permanent residence, and to declare that he goes abroad for temporary sojourn and intends to return to the United States with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizen- ship therein. Every applicant must take the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States. Every application must be accompanied by a description of the person applying, stating the following particulars, viz. : Age, years ; stat- ure, — '- — feet inches (English measure) ; forehead, ; eyes,

nose, ; mouth, ; chin, ; hair, ; com-

plexion, ; face.

Every application must be accompanied by a certificate from at least one credible witness that the applicant is the person he represents him- self to be, and that the facts stated in the affidavit are true to the best of the witness's knowledge and belief. 5. Native citizens. —The application containing the information indi- cated by rule 4 will be sufficient evidence in the case of native citizens. 6. A person horn abroad xohose father vms a native citizen of the United States. — In addition to the statements required by rule 4, his application must show that his father was born in the United States, has resided therein, and was a citizen at the time of the applicant's birth. The De- partment may recpiire that this affidavit be supported by that of one other citizen acquainted with the facts. 7. Xaturalized citizens.— In addition to the statements required by rule 4, a naturalized citizen must transmit his certificate of naturalization, or a duly certified copy of the court record thereof, with his application. It will be returned to him after inspection. He must state in his affidavit when and from what part he emigrated to this country, what ship he sailed in, where he has lived since his arrival in the United States, when and before what court he was naturalized, and that he is the identical