application is an entirely voluntary matter, however, and the

failure to submit it does not in any way affect a person's

citizenship.

The applicant should be prepared to submit in connection

with the application evidence of birth, marriage, death,

divorce, and other essential matters in the form of

certificates or documents which will prove the claim to

citizenship through marriage or through parents. Detailed

instructions regarding the nature of the proof needed in each

case are included in the application form.

Legalizing Stay In the United States

Part 8

In the cases of some foreign-born persons who are in the

United States, them are no records showing admission for

permanent residence, or at least no records can be found. These

persons may have been brought here during childhood and may

never have known just when or how they came; or they may have

come here as visitors or other temporary nonimmigrant class and

decided to stay; or they may have entered unlawfully.

Since no records of lawful admission for permanent