The International Commission on Nobility and Royalty
(See Additional Articles below)
Membership Categories, Fees, Evidence Requirements and Standards
All the major legal principles that promote genuine and authentic nobility, royalty and chivalry are contained in the following new two volume book. Note what is says in the first paragraph of the Foreword:
The whole field of nobility and royalty is in disarray and confusion. It is rife with falsehoods, misguided experts, phony princes, and counterfeit chivalric orders. Besides the numerous scams and charlatans that exist, there is a widespread misunderstanding of the international and natural laws that govern dynastic rights. This is a field that is truly divided. This sad state of affairs need not continue. If international law is honored, revered and respected, then everything can be set in its proper order. The grand key to this needed unity is the rule of the just, time-honored laws that already exist.
The author is Dr. Stephen Baca y Kerr, JD, LLM, MAT, former special counsel to the Imperial and Royal House of Habsburg, Professor and Dean of the Law School at the International College of Interdisciplinary Studies. His book is The Entitlement to Rule: Legal, Non-Territorial Sovereignty in International Law and it is a masterpiece. Note excerpts of what people have said about it:
"It is written in a clear and compelling manner. It is hoped that more and more people will become familiar with the laws of justice contained in this book." (Thubten Samphel, director of the Tibet Policy Institute of the Central Tibetan Administration and author of the book Falling Through the Roof, Dharamshala, India)
"It is magnificently done and of great worth." (Adalberto J. Urbina Briceno, Sc.D., Professor Head of the Public International Law Chair of the Catholic University Andres Bello- Caracas)
"It is a goldmine of references and is a valuable account of a [thought provoking] . . . and poorly understood area of law." (Rev'd Professor Noel Cox, LLM, MA, MTheol, Ph.D., LTh, FRHists, Barrister, Aberystwyth University, New Zealand)
"Dr. Kerr has put together a book that is a "one of a kind" providing what is needed to perpetuate the rights of deposed sovereignty. For all those interested in the legal future of nobility and royalty, this is a very important, scholarly and insightful book to read." (LaWanna Blount, Ph.D., F.Coll.T, vice president and professor at the American College of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Como, Mississippi, USA)
"Dr. Kerr's book . . . is one of those . . . path breaking works that throws new light on a field of study . . . on the complex legal and philosophical sinews that keep alive [deposed] monarchies. . . . This type of writing fills a huge gap within the royal studies field. . . ." (Dr. Diana Mandache, historian and author, Budapest, Romania)
"The author obviously has a deep understanding of international law and how it relates to deposed monarchies and exiled governments. The content is well structured and well written. I accept this book as conforming to the highest academic standards expected of a master scholar and practitioner." (Alexander Arapov, Sc.D., Professor of the Department of Philosophy and Sociology of the All-Russian State Distance-Learning Institute of Finance and Economics, a branch of the Financial University of the Russian Federation)
"This has been the most interesting and helpful book I have read in the field of nobiliary law as well as international law . . . . It exemplifies the highest level of scholarly content, clarity and depth of inquiry yet presented on this profound and important subject." (Prof. Dr. Mirjana Radovic-Markovic, Academician, Institute of Economic Sciences and Faculty of Business Economics and Entrepreneurship, Belgrade, Serbia)
This unique book is being offered for free because of its singular importance to the field of nobility and royalty. Go to the website: www.entitlement-to-rule.info.
To enable and empower the Commission to continue its important work to protect the public from imposters or those who impersonate, and to promote nobility and royalty throughout the earth, continued membership becomes essential and critical. We need committed people who contribute every year to prosper as an organization and make headway in achieving the goals we have.
You can be a part of the team that will do this and thus help create a better future. Your help and involvement is very needed. We cannot exist or make real progress without your support.
Subheadings
Click on the desired subchapter:
Membership Catagories and Fees 
There are several membership categories and various fees. (Because the International Commission on Nobility and Royalty is a private, non-business, service organization, no fees will be charged. We work by donations only. We maintained the right to turn down any request that would require the hiring of professionals or are too complicated to do the required research.
1. Member
Those who donate yearly to help us promote the ideals of constitutional monarchy, royalty, nobility and chivalry throughout the earth are members.
2. Registered Member
A registered member is a member who qualifies for one of the following catagories:
(a) Provisional Registration
(b) Full Registration
Provisional registration is when a person submits his genealogy "as is." The Commission has no responsibility to determine its accuracy and makes no claims as to its authenticity or genuineness. Full registration is a step higher. The genealogy is spot checked by professionally accredited genealogists who must determine or be convinced that the genealogy submitted is at least at the preponderance of evidence level or has achieved at least a 51% level of assurance. The genealogy submitted must include royalty, nobility or illustrious ancestors.
No research fees is required for genealogy that has been submitted in the provisional or "as is" level. However, full registration in some cases may require additional research in order for it to be given the status of full registration. (See "Research Fees" below)
2. Certified Member
A certified member is a member who has qualified for one of the following two certified categories:
(a) Provisional Certification
(b) Full Certification
Provisional certification means that one's claim to ancestry, title or status has achieved a clear and convincing or compelling level of assurance, that is, a 70% confidence level that the claim is accurate and truthful. Full certification must be beyond reasonable doubt or achieve a 90% confidence level of assurance.
When the evidence presented by a claimant justifies it, an individual is awarded a certificate (a Board Certification of authenticity) with a number of possible designations appropriate to his or her claim. The following are a few various possibilities within four main categories:
a. Illustrious Ancestors
Board Certified:
(Direct or Salic) Descendant of the Noble Blood of an Asian (European, South American or South Pacific) Family of High Nobility
Direct (Salic) Descendant of an Ancient South American (African or European) (Imperial and) Royal House
b. Nobility/Royalty
Board Certified:
Member of the (High) Nobility of Europe (Asian or African, etc.) (High) Nobility
Member of a Royal (and Imperial) House of Asia (Europe, Africa, South Pacific or Central America as the case may be)
c. Knighthood
Board Certified:
As a True Knight of a Recognized Asian (European, African, South American) (Imperial, Royal or Noble) Order of Knighthood
Knight of European (High) Nobility or of a Regal South American Royal (and Imperial Family)
d. Titles (can include lord of a manor, sir, baronet, baron, court, earl, marquess, duke, prince and others)
Board Certified:
Bearer of a True Nonhereditary Title of European (High) Nobility
Bearer of Several Titles of Asian (European, African, Pacific) (High) Nobility
Bearer of a Prominent (Ruling or Former Ruling) Title of European High Nobility and Recognized Sovereignty
Bearer of a(n) (Imperial and) Royal Asian (European, Pacific, North American) Title
Bearer of a Former Ruling South American Title of Regal (and Imperial) Sovereignty
No certifications are given unless the individual provides verifiable evidence (proof) that the claim is authentic and accurate. Our job is to confirm or disconfirm the validity of the claim via honest inquiry and careful research. A claim that meets the minimum level of assurance is authenticated either as provisional or full certification.
3. Diplomates and Fellows of the International Commission on Nobility and Royalty
Those who are recognized at this level are people who have made unique and major contributions financially or otherwise to the field or cause of monarchy, royalty or chivalry. Such may be awarded this designation merely upon approval of the board. "de jure" or regnant royalty automatically receive this designation if they become members.
Appropriate adjectives are added, such as, high, or sovereign, noble, imperial or whatever is proper and fitting. An example might be "High Sovereign Diplomate and Fellow of the International Commission on Nobility and Royalty" for a "de jure" or regnant king or sovereign prince.
All donations are non-refundable.
Evidence Requirements
The burden of proof rests entirely with the petitioner. It is his or her responsibility to provide all the needed evidence. The Board will then determine if the evidence presented is sufficient to qualify for registration or certification. If more proof is needed, the individual will be informed, assisted and encouraged in the hope that full recognition can eventually be extended.
Standards and Criteria
To confirm and validate all the evidence can be an expensive process, or as easy as making a few phone calls or writing a few letters. But it is very important process so that anyone certified as genuine is indeed what he or she claims to be. Hence, all fully certified claims must be proven “beyond reasonable doubt” or to the point of 90% assurance. As an example, if a court of particular country determined that a title is valid based only on a “preponderance of evidence” (51% assurance), this would not be enough for certification. However, if, after a review of the evidence, the proof is found to be “clear and convincing” or at a 70% level of assurance, then the title or lineage may be certified as provisional. Provisional means there are some unanswered or perhaps unanswerable questions, but the claim is very convincing and to all obvious appearances is true and correct. As stated, full certification requires a 90% level of assurance or is, for all practical purposes, beyond any reasonable doubt. To ensure that objective decisions are made, subjective opinions or evidence will not be considered. Only factual information will be considered except under very rare and highly unusual circumstances.
Where to Start
If you wish to submit genealogy that shows illustrious ancestors or the claim of being an authentic noble or royal, first submit your claim for "provisional" or "as is" registration and then we can submit the genealogy to an accredited professional firm to determine what might be required for an upgrade to the level needed for "full" registration or "provisional" or "full" certification. A claim for a title based upon genealogy will need, at a minimum, to be proven true and accurate to a clear and convincing level. Then an expert may need to be hired to research the historical and house rules and current practices to determine if such a claim is possible. Often we can tell right off the bat if a claim has any merit or potential, because most doors are closed to the success of such a claim. If a title claim is directly from a "de jure" sovereign and that sovereign is truly a valid monarch, we will merely have to verify and confirm the grant of nobility and title with him or her. Each case, obviously, will be unique. Please see the web page on "Rejected Applications & Unacceptable Claims" for what is not permitted or cannot ever be certified as authentic.
Upgrades
Because it can be a lengthy process to prove a title or noble ancestry to the high standard of being beyond reasonable doubt, individuals providing proof which is at the preponderance level of evidence (51%) could be given registered status, which is not a certified level. This status is reserved for genealogy only. However, as more evidence comes in, one's genealogical claim may be able to qualify for an enhanced status.
A claimant for title(s), nobility, royalty or knighthood must qualify for certified status. Registration is only for genealogical claims. A claim for title(s), nobility, royalty or knighthood may never be able to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. In such case as stated above, they can receive provisional status if the evidence is truly clear, convincing and compelling. This lesser status is a certified level and can be removed and be upgraded to full certification after a probationary period of ten years provided the individual goes public with his or her claim and that inquiries have been made and no serious objections have been raised by concerned parties. Others under different circumstances may have their provisional status removed by petition after seven years of obvious public acceptance and continued clear and convincing evidence. However, as new evidence surfaces, there is always the right to enhance one's status to a higher level. The ability to provide proof and demonstrate that something is genuine and authentic is the bottom line, and will always the main determining factor in any upgrade from provisional to full approval or certification.
Withdrawal of Approval
All complaints against an individual’s title or ancestry will be reviewed by the Certification Board. If a claim is put into serious question, for a valid and legitimate reason, the individual concerned will be put on probation, and recommendations and suggestions from experts in the field will be given to the claimant to help him or her obtain any needed proof in the hope of resolving the matter completely and forever. However, if all efforts fail and the claim remains in serious doubt, after a sufficient time has elapsed for an adequate investigation, the certification will be removed.
Remember the Commission’s responsibility is only to validate, confirm or disconfirm the evidence or facts presented to them and judge the results. It is the claimant’s important responsibility to make sure an investigation is made and to clear up any serious allegations or contrary claims made against them, and to summit any new evidence discovered so that the certification board can have it verified and render an appropriate and accurate decision.
An appeal can be made to the board of directors should there be any indication of a major problem. The Commission is dedicated to make sure everyone is treated fairly, respectfully and sensibly. But the truth is what ultimately counts. Hence, neither public opinion, hearsay, debate, conjecture or criticism will alter any judgment on a claim, only verifiable and meaningful facts will have any weight in such a matter. That is, once a judgment is made, it will not be altered, changed or abrogated unless sufficient hard evidence demands otherwise.
It is so easy to criticize and throw mud. It is much harder to produce proof that can support one’s claim or contention. We are not interested in anything but verifiable facts. All else merely clouds the issue. It does not answer any important questions, and, therefore, will not be considered relevant.
Final and Absolute Approval
After ten years of continuous full certification, a claim to a title is considered to be perfect and inalienable. At that time no contrary evidence will be entertained. As far as the Commission is concerned, the claim is final and absolute unless the individual fails to maintain his or her membership.
Since it is often too difficult to ever make a perfect and absolute determination in regard to many lineal claims, that could not be disproved or over turned years later, the above rule cannot generally be applied to claims of ancestry. However, some claims, such as the case of a well-known historical royal or noble family, are immediately final and indisputable. They are usually already members of a recognized and respected nobiliary association. Others based upon professional spot checks of genealogical information can never be made perfect, unless an exhaustive and comprehensive investigation is made, which could be too costly to complete and often never provides perfect assurance. Nevertheless, such can achieve provisional status (70% confidence) depending on the level of assurance provided by the information furnished and based on professional evaluations by performing numerous pivotal spot checks in certain critical areas.
Research Fees
The verification or authentication process to confirm and validate what is real can be expensive or inexpensive depending on how complicated the case is or how easy the claim is to collaborate and check out. For example, a recognized European noble, who is the recognized head of his family and a member of a acknowledge nobiliary association, would be easy to verify and confirm as authentic and therefore easy to certify. This person could enroll his immediate family simply by paying the proper family membership fees and providing all the information required on each person.
A knighthood verification for an order approved by the International Commission on Orders of Chivalry is extremely simple and therefore the retainer is very inexpensive. Some titles or other knighthoods directly from a legitimate "de jure" king or sovereign prince can be easily confirmed as authentic, therefore, again, a small retainer would be sufficient.
But an individual whose case is difficult to establish may present a number of problems and complications, which could be time-consuming and expensive.
Nevertheless, because the Commission is only verifying information and making historical checks, generally speaking, the cost of the investigative process hopefully should never be unreasonably high.
If the verification process requires translators, there will obviously be an extra cost involved. A group of experts and specialized scholars are consulted on each difficult case to assure that we are not overlooking something, but it is the certification board that determines the final outcome.
Should a “certified” claim be validly questioned as to authenticity years later, and the complaint appears to be serious and believable because it is based on undeniable facts, the claim, regrettably, may have to be re-evaluated.
The Board wants it to be eminently clear that the Commission is being run to provide a needed and important service.
Please be aware that the size and quantity of donations will not impact on any decisions. Donations, however, impact on what can or cannot be done.
The Need for Ongoing Certification
Ongoing certification not only provides necessary financial support but it bestows a higher level of assurance to the public, because full certification can remain intact only so long as one's case continues to remain on the “beyond reasonable doubt” or the “clear and convincing” level. In other words, if one's position continues to remain solid and strong despite criticisms, evidence or doubts presented by critics over the years, then ones certification has passed the important test of time, and one's claim is even stronger and more solid than ever before. Ongoing certification thus provides addition assurance that ones claim is valid and that no fatal flaw was ever found warranting removal of Board approval. Continued membership also affords one the status of enabling anyone who doubts the privilege of knowing one's claim is the genuine, because all they need do is call and confirm that one is truly authentic or real.
After ten years of continuous certification, a claim to a title or aristocratic status is considered to be perfect and inalienable. At that time no contrary evidence will ever be entertained. As far as the Commission is concerned, the claim is final and absolute unless the individual fails to maintain his or her membership.
Lineal ancestral claims, however, in too many cases could be disproved, since it is so difficult to make a perfect and final determination in genealogy that could not be disproved years later. But continuous certification strengthens the idea that it is accurate and no fault has yet been discovered or is likely to be found.
Conclusion and Invitation 
We will promote nobility, royalty and monarchy in the earth to the best of our ability directly through the special work of the representatives, future campaigns, and through authenticating the genuine and true aristocracy of the earth. But we can't do this alone. We need your help. Membership of any kind is, therefore, critical and indispensable to our stated and deeply felt purpose and mission. By joining us, you empower us. We cannot be very effective without your sincere efforts and support. We salute you as our patrons and benefactors--the future is in the hands of those who are willing to do something unusual, unique and daring. You are welcome to become a part of something that we believe is really special in the making as we build a network of influence for the good of mankind. (See "Ideals" and "Advantages.")
We encourage you to read and enjoy the articles that follow, which are informative and can deepen one's understanding of the whys and wherefores as well as the true and permanent rights of royalty, nobility and chivalry. The following articles are considered to be especially important and valuable:
Use "Contact" to join the Commission as a contributor or apply for certification for titles, knighthood, status or ancestry. Our goals and mission are to protect the public from counterfeit titles, phony knighthoods and fake genealogies. We certify the true and the genuine as well as promote chivalry, royalty and nobility. There is so much that needs to be done. We invite you to contribute and join with us.
Contact or donate through the following:
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