Legitimacy Declaration Act, 1858

Application to Court for declaration of right to be deemed a natural-born subject.

2. Any person, being so domiciled or claiming as aforesaid, may apply by petition to the said Court for a decree declaratory of his right to be deemed a natural-born subject of Her Majesty; and the said Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine such application, and to make such decree thereon as to the Court may seem just; and where such application as last aforesaid is made by the person making such application as herein mentioned for a decree declaring his legitimacy or the validity of a marriage, both applications may be included in the same petition; and every decree made by the said Court shall, except as herein-after mentioned, be valid and binding to all intents and purposes upon Her Majesty and all persons whomsoever.