The International Commission on Nobility and Royalty
Policy Changes (2014) 
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.
The International Commission will downsize from a for-profit business corporation to a voluntary service organization in 2014
This will take some time, but we feel greater service will be possible through this move. The Commission will continue to operate with a board of directors, but will no longer be a corporation. All ethical practices, including all former checks and balances, will be maintained to ensure the highest standard of work will continue.
Change in plans Starting March 2010:
Because of the recent libelous attacks on us in January and February of this year, we have felt that it would be unfair or even wrong to put anyone's name on the website as being a member of a public Advisory Board.
For example, even though Dr. Goff, with the help of twelve other individuals, has totally destroyed the business of a big time purveyor of fake and counterfeit titles of nobility (the man made as much as $3,000,000.00 from selling falsehoods) including
this scammer’s English solicitor, who as a direct result, lost his law firm of 30 years, yet the detractors and defamers attacked him as though he were a bad person. They never check things out, but love to find fault, distort and fabricate without evidence or truth.
We have been very protective of our board, the names of our officers and those who have joined the Commission as well as those who have been registered or certified for one thing or another. We decided not to put anyone's name out in the public except my name, Peter Harradine and Dr. Goff's. Therefore, no Advisory Board will be established, and if we do, we will not publish their names or allow them to be slandered. We will continue to protect the good names and reputations of those we care about, and who make such important contributions to the cause of nobility and royalty.
Instead of being the President of an Advisory Board, Dr. Goff will be a special representative of The International Commission on Nobility and Royalty.
Starting January 2010, The International Commission will make three major changes. They:
1. Will no longer identify specific individuals or organizations that are fake, counterfeit or who lack authenticity. There are too many groups and too many individuals who are impersonating what is true. Sadly, we cannot keep up with mushrooming trend of making false claims to royalty and nobility. We have decided that we will, instead, teach the principles, that will enable people to identify those who are charlatans, scammers or conmen, so that people can stand on their own and not be succored into their traps and get decoyed from what is real and true. In addition, we will give people advice on what to do if they are victimized. The hope is that these criminals will be prosecuted and justice will prevail. Remember, as Edmund Burke once said, "All that is needed for the forces of evil to win is for good men to do nothing." We feel we have to do more to protect people and bring down criminals.
2. Will reinstitute the practice of give out certificates for new members. The expensive ones will be reserved for registrations and certifications. However, as members renew their memberships, who have not received any certificate since May of 2009, they will be sent
this newer version. This is not for those who already have certificates of registration or certification, but for members who have received nothing in the past eigth months and for regular members who are not certified for title, ancestry or nobility.
3. Will enlist, by invitation, interested individuals who would like to be on an Advisory Board probably starting in February of 2010. A longtime member and advocate, D. Edward Goff, Ph.D., DBA, has accepted the position of president of this board.
Announcement (May 2009), no longer will certificates and membership cards be given for regular members. As of this date regular members will no longer automatically receive membership certificates and membership cards unless they want them. An extra fee of $15.00 will be charge for such. Those who are certified for title, status or illustrious ancestors will continue to receive certificates certifying the fact along with a card that does the same The reason for this change is that most member/contributors do not desire or care if they receive certificates or not, but have express that the money be used for the cause instead of recognition.
Announcement (May 2008) concerning the U. S. Government requirement to renounce all titles of nobility, etc. in order to become citizens of the United States
The April 2008 announcement had to be updated because of questions and clarifications:
We have in the past, unfortunately, answered some inquiries to the effect that the renunciation requirement for naturalization to become a citizen of the United States destroys all pretensions to noble or royal title or rights, because a renunciation is final and permanent in international law and includes ones posterity. U. S. federal code 8 USC section 1448, subsection (b) states:
In case the person petitioning for naturalization has borne any hereditary title, or has been of any of the orders of nobility in any foreign state, the petitioner shall in addition to complying with the requirements of subsection (a) [omitted] of this section, make under oath in open court in the court in which the petition for naturalization is made, an express renunciation of such title or order of nobility, and such renunciation shall be recorded in the court as part of the proceedings. (www.heraldica.org/topics/usa
/usnob.htm)
The Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR 337.1) accordingly provides the following:
A petitioner or applicant for naturalization who has borne any hereditary
title or has been of any of the orders of nobility in any foreign state shall,
in addition to taking the oath of allegiance prescribed in paragraph (a) of
this section, make under oath or affirmation in public an express renunciation of such title or order of nobility, in the following form:
(1) I further renounce the title of (give title or titles) which I have
heretofore held; or
(2) I further renounce the order of nobility (give the order of nobility)
to which I have heretofore belonged. (Ibid.)
Refined conclusions:
1. Even though the law requires a renunciation of nobility---titles and orders, etc., if no instrument of renunciation is implimented during the naturalization process by omission or otherwise, then legally, no lawful renunciation of title or nobility actually took place. Lose of nobility does not occur automatically in the process of becoming a citizen of the United States. If no renunciation takes place at any time, then no lawful relinquishment is imposed on one's noble status.
2. Hereditary noble titles are a family possession. A domestic renunciation, if it takes place, only impacts the person who renounces his or her title. No one else in the family is effected by this act of surrender or abandonment.
3. People with German titles of nobility are not required to go through the process of renunciation in the United States, because German titles and orders of nobility no longer legally exist in the domestic law of Germany. One cannot renounce a title that does not legally exist domestically under the law. Therefore, the German nobility are not required to renounce their titles or noble status. (Note that even though nobility does not exist or is not recognized under domestic law, they exist under international law by virtue of the supreme or sovereign authority under which they were originally granted. (See: "Sovereignty & The Future of Nobility and Royalty")
4. Individuals who hold titles and/or nobility in other countries that no longer legally recognize such are, likewise, no longer required to renounce their titles or nobility. If, by mistake, an individual is required or obligated to do so, such a renunciation would be null and void. It is invalid because the title or order of nobility they rightfully possess does not legally exist under current domestic law. You cannot abdicate a title you do not own on a domestic legal basis.
5. Sovereign Noble, Royal and Imperial titles are subjects of international law. (See: "Sovereignty & The Future of Nobility and Royalty") Such are therefore exempt from the domestic law, because Royal and Imperial titles, whether "de jure" or regnant are considered to be the exclusive or sole domain of the laws of nations. No domestic renunciation, under the laws of any country, can destroy royal rights, succession or sovereignty. A true renunciation under international laws can only be done under the appropriate "de jure" or regnant authority and witness; and must be fully accepted and acknowledged of the royal family in question. Hence, the U. S. renunciation law only impacts non-sovereign titles or nobility. Renunciation of sovereignty under domestic law is invalid or empty of effect.
We sincerely regret having given the impression that all rights were lost in becoming U.S. citizens by virtue of the laws of the United States.
Policy Change to take effect immediately April 20, 2008
We have had a large number of inquiries on genealogy, that is, if we do genealogy. We do not and probably never will, but we, as a direct result, made arrangements with an accredited firm of professional genealogists that we can refer interested parties to. They
have access to the best resources available on earth and a computer data base bar none. Therefore, for anyone who desires professional services, we will be glad to refer them. This is a service. There will be no monetary return for us. We are, however, pleased to be of some benefit and held in this regard. Please see "ROYAL & NOBLE GENEALOGY."
Policy Change to take effect January 1, 2008 allowing manorial titles to be certified as genuine titles, but not as titles of nobility
It is a fact, that one who possesses a British manorial title is, as a matter of law, a "Lord"---a Lord of Such and Such Manor. Not of the same caliber as the high noble title of a Baron, Earl, Marquis or Duke, but these lesser non-noble titles are an important segment of history and were officially recognized in the United Kingdom by Government Bureaus and under the Law of Property Act of 1922-1925. In consideration of the above facts and that other non-noble titles, such as "Baronet" and "Sir" are eligible for certification, the Board felt that British manorial titles should, in all fairness, also be included. Although permission is now granted to include the certification of manorial titles, it is done so with the sobering recognition that demonstrating that one actually owns such a title may be extremely difficult or impossible to prove with any degree of accuracy. It must be remembered that no compromise of standards will be given to any claim of this nature. As in all other certifications, proof of such must be clear and convincing for provisional approval. Full certification for manorial titles or any other claim must be beyond reasonable doubt for the Board to recognize such as truly authentic and genuine or to have this high level of credibility.
Policy Changes that took effect October 1, 2007
instituting a new category of membership
Because we have had a number of requests to register genealogy "as is" and to register genealogy in a higher category, but not at the same stringent requirements that certification exacts, we are introducing two new membership categories for genealogical claims only. They are:
(1) Provisional Registration
(2) Full Registration
A registered member of the International Commission on Nobility and Royalty has submitted genealogy that shows one's ancestor were illustrious---meaning they connect to a noble or royal line at some point in history. Provisionally registered genealogy is "as is." No confirmation or verification of the ancestral line has been attempted. Full registration of one's genealogy has been confirmed to be at least at the "preponderance of evidence" level or 51% level of assurance.
As more proof is discovered, submitted and verified, one can upgrade to one's genealogy to a higher confidence level, such as, a certified level. This is required in cases where a hereditary title or the claim of nobility or royalty is being considered for certification. Hereditary claims are always dependent on proof of valid ancestry and the ancient laws that govern that transmission of such honors. Hence, hereditary claims require certification. The provisional certification status level necessitates that the evidence is "clear and convincing" (a 70% level of confidence). Full certification is the highest level. It is "beyond reasonable doubt" (a 90% level of confidence).
It is believed that the new membership levels of provisional registration and full registration will encourage further genealogical research and result in many lines being upgraded to full certification so that claims may be given the respect that they deserve based on solid, undeniable evidence.
Policy Changes that took effect May 1, 2007 for Certified Members only
1. We are making a policy change based on past experience. The board for two years would not pass any claim for any honor whatsoever unless we had a hard copy letter in our files from the source that honored the individual confirming it to be true and accurate. This has worked, but it has taken such an excruciatingly long time to get those letters that we have considered a new way to satisfy the evidence requirements. The other problem we have encountered is that it has been like pulling teeth to get those letters from some Orders or some lieutenancies, whereas, they will readily confirm claims by return e-mail or on the phone. Therefore, we have decided that we will no longer required letters on letterhead for simple confirmations such as knighthoods from recognized and acknowledged Orders. In lieu of having such letters, we will now accept e-mail and telephone confirmations. We feel this will not alter the quality of our confirmations, because we are making the contacts and getting that information directly from the source—the Order itself.
2. In addition, since we do not certify particular offices in an Order, such as, knight commander or knight grand cross, but just knighthood itself, and because we only acknowledge the fact that an individual holds one authentic knighthood, which we consider to be one of the greatest honors an individual can have. We will no longer verify each and every knighthood, or other honor, an individual holds unless there are unusual circumstances.
3. If we discover that an individual is presently involved with a phony knighthood order, uses a bogus or highly questionable title or other honor, or claims a genuine knighthood, title or other honor, which he or she does not, in fact, hold, we will not be able to certify such a person or allow continued certified membership. If that person admits and forsakes what is counterfeit, then certification and continued membership is welcomed and encouraged. If such a person will not repudiate what is false, then we must reluctantly disavow them as certified members. They are, however, welcome to continue as regular members to help promote monarchy, nobility, royalty and chivalry via contributions or membership renewal.
4. The process of repudiation, or clearance from an accusation, may take as long as six months depending on the circumstances involved. We do not want to ever act rashly or in haste without getting the true facts and allowing for sufficient time.
We believe these changes in policy will decrease the waiting time needed for certification for simple cases, and will, we hope, ensure that anyone certified will only claim what is true and authentic.
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:
For "Contact" information or to join the Commission as a contributor or apply for certification for titles, knighthood, status or ancestry, please first read the "Disclaimer and Obligatory Contract." If you fully agree with them, you are welcome to contact us, make contributions, answer our survey and/or become a part of this important cause. Our goals and mission are to protect the public from counterfeit titles, phony knighthoods and fake genealogies. We also want to certify the true and the genuine as well as promote chivalry, royalty and nobility. We need your support. There is so much that needs to be done. We invite you to contribute and join with us.
Contact or donate through the following:
© Copyright 2005/2009 -- International Commission on Nobility and Royalty. All Rights Reserved.
For Membership or to become Certified, please read "Membership Categories, Fees, Evidence Requirements & Standards."
