from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
DECLARATION OF INTENTION. The act of an alien, who goes before a court of
record, and in a forma manner declares that it is, bona fide, his intention
to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all
allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or
sovereignty, whereof he may at the time be a citizen or subject. Act of
Congress of April 14, 18O2, s. 1.
2. This declaration must, in usual cases, be made at least three years
before his admission. Id. But there are numerous exceptions to this rule.
See Naturalization.