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United States Naturalization and Citizenship: Difference between revisions
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[[Portal:United States of America|'''United States''']]'''Naturalization and Citizenship''' | |||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Naturalization papers are an important source of information about an immigrant's nation of origin, his foreign and “Americanized” names, residence, and date of arrival. Naturalization records before 1906 are not likely to give town of origin or names of parents. Information in post-1906 records is more detailed and may include birth dates, birth places, and other immigration information about the immigrant and members of his family. | Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Naturalization papers are an important source of information about an immigrant's nation of origin, his foreign and “Americanized” names, residence, and date of arrival. Naturalization records before 1906 are not likely to give town of origin or names of parents. Information in post-1906 records is more detailed and may include birth dates, birth places, and other immigration information about the immigrant and members of his family. | ||
Immigrants to the United States have never been required to apply for citizenship. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship. Evidence that an immigrant completed citizenship requirements can be found in censuses, court minutes, homestead records, passports, voting registers, and military papers. Even if an immigrant ancestor did not complete the process and become a citizen, he may have begun the process and filed a declaration of intention. The declaration of intention can be obtained to see what information is listed on it.<br> | Immigrants to the United States have never been required to apply for citizenship. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship. Evidence that an immigrant completed citizenship requirements can be found in censuses, court minutes, homestead records, passports, voting registers, and military papers. Even if an immigrant ancestor did not complete the process and become a citizen, he may have begun the process and filed a declaration of intention. The declaration of intention can be obtained to see what information is listed on it.<br> | ||
== Requirements for Naturalization == | == Requirements for Naturalization == | ||
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*Since 1862, non-citizens who have served in the U.S. military have not been required to file a declaration of intention. After one year's residency and honorable discharge from the military, they could petition for naturalization. Since World War I, citizenship could be granted while an individual served in the military. | *Since 1862, non-citizens who have served in the U.S. military have not been required to file a declaration of intention. After one year's residency and honorable discharge from the military, they could petition for naturalization. Since World War I, citizenship could be granted while an individual served in the military. | ||
From 1855 to 1922 a woman took the citizenship of her husband. An alien woman who married a United States citizen became a United States citizen. From 1907 to 1922, a woman born in the United States who married an alien lost her U.S. citizenship and became an alien. For more information, read Marion L. Smith's article, [http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1998/summer/women-and-naturalization-1.html Women and Naturalization, ca. 1802-1940]. <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | From 1855 to 1922 a woman took the citizenship of her husband. An alien woman who married a United States citizen became a United States citizen. From 1907 to 1922, a woman born in the United States who married an alien lost her U.S. citizenship and became an alien. For more information, read Marion L. Smith's article, [http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1998/summer/women-and-naturalization-1.html Women and Naturalization, ca. 1802-1940]. <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | ||
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== Naturalization Process == | == Naturalization Process == | ||
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Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)<br>425 Eye Street NW<br>Washington D.C. 20536<br>Telephone: 202-514-2000<br>Internet: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. | Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)<br>425 Eye Street NW<br>Washington D.C. 20536<br>Telephone: 202-514-2000<br>Internet: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. | ||
You can also have this index searched via the nearest local INS office. The index will give the court where the naturalization took place. After 1956 records are at INS district offices. You may request a search of the records at the national and district offices by contacting the nearest INS office. INS offices are found in most large federal buildings. You will have a greater likelihood of success if you can identify the court or provide the exact address of the individual at the time he was naturalized. <!--{12070633559210} --> | You can also have this index searched via the nearest local INS office. The index will give the court where the naturalization took place. After 1956 records are at INS district offices. You may request a search of the records at the national and district offices by contacting the nearest INS office. INS offices are found in most large federal buildings. You will have a greater likelihood of success if you can identify the court or provide the exact address of the individual at the time he was naturalized. <!--{12070633559210} --> | ||
=== Records at the Family History Library === | === Records at the Family History Library === | ||
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A key reference book about naturalizations is: | A key reference book about naturalizations is: | ||
Schaefer, Christina K. ''Guide to Naturalization Records in the United States''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. (FHL book 973 P4s.) Identifies records at both the National Archives and the Family History Library. It also describes many state and county courthouse collections. This book was published in 1997 and has not been updated. The Family History Library has added naturalization records to their collection. | Schaefer, Christina K. ''Guide to Naturalization Records in the United States''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. (FHL book 973 P4s.) Identifies records at both the National Archives and the Family History Library. It also describes many state and county courthouse collections. This book was published in 1997 and has not been updated. The Family History Library has added naturalization records to their collection. <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | ||
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[[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] | [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] | ||