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'''Alien files:''' Also known as A-Files. Began on April 1, 1944 and continues until today. Between 1944 and March 31, 1956 this file contained all records of an immigrant who had not yet naturalized. If naturalized, the records were transferred to a C-File. It may include applications, visas, photographs and other information. Beginning April 1, 1956 all records were filed in the A-file including naturalization records for those naturalized after that date. The USCIS is the custodians of the A-Files, and in 2010 began transferring A-files for persons born more than 100 years ago to the San Francisco and Kansas City branches of the National Archives. | '''Alien files:''' Also known as A-Files. Began on April 1, 1944 and continues until today. Between 1944 and March 31, 1956 this file contained all records of an immigrant who had not yet naturalized. If naturalized, the records were transferred to a C-File. It may include applications, visas, photographs and other information. Beginning April 1, 1956 all records were filed in the A-file including naturalization records for those naturalized after that date. The USCIS is the custodians of the A-Files, and in 2010 began transferring A-files for persons born more than 100 years ago to the San Francisco and Kansas City branches of the National Archives. | ||
'''Alien Registration Forms:''' Began in August 1940 with the intent of fingerprinting and documenting all aliens living in the US. 14 and older. These forms contained extensive information about the alien including date of birth, date and port of arrival, occupation, and physical description. To obtain a copy of these forms, order from the USCIS through their [ | '''Alien Registration Forms:''' Began in August 1940 with the intent of fingerprinting and documenting all aliens living in the US. 14 and older. These forms contained extensive information about the alien including date of birth, date and port of arrival, occupation, and physical description. To obtain a copy of these forms, order from the USCIS through their [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] ($). | ||
'''C-Files: '''Also known as a naturalization certificate files. See certificate files. | '''C-Files: '''Also known as a naturalization certificate files. See certificate files. | ||
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'''Certificate of arrival:''' The 1906 naturalization law required the government prove all petitioners who claimed arrival after June 29, 1906, were lawfully admitted immigrants. Each declaration of intention or petition filed prompted the US Bureau of Naturalization to search passenger arrival records and "certify" their results. They did so on a small Certificate of Arrival (C/A) form sent by the Bureau to the court where the naturalization was pending. Many courts filed the C/A's with their naturalization records. The C/A provides the place, date, and manner of arrival and should match the same information shown on the Petition for Naturalization. Immigrants who arrived prior to June 30, 1906 were not subject to the C/A requirement. However, in some cases a C/A will be found for earlier arrivals. | '''Certificate of arrival:''' The 1906 naturalization law required the government prove all petitioners who claimed arrival after June 29, 1906, were lawfully admitted immigrants. Each declaration of intention or petition filed prompted the US Bureau of Naturalization to search passenger arrival records and "certify" their results. They did so on a small Certificate of Arrival (C/A) form sent by the Bureau to the court where the naturalization was pending. Many courts filed the C/A's with their naturalization records. The C/A provides the place, date, and manner of arrival and should match the same information shown on the Petition for Naturalization. Immigrants who arrived prior to June 30, 1906 were not subject to the C/A requirement. However, in some cases a C/A will be found for earlier arrivals. | ||
'''Certificate of citizenship: ''' The document issued to derivative or repatriated US citizens beginning 1929. These certificates are often found in home sources. The Certificate of Citizenship number can be used to request a copy of a C-File from [ | '''Certificate of citizenship: ''' The document issued to derivative or repatriated US citizens beginning 1929. These certificates are often found in home sources. The Certificate of Citizenship number can be used to request a copy of a C-File from [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] ($). | ||
'''Certificate files: '''Also known as C-Files. Began with the ''Basic Naturalization Act of 1906''. All persons naturalized between 1906 and 1956 have a C-File with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The C-Files include a copy of the declaration, petition, certificate of naturalization, and other documents. Files can be obtained from the [ | '''Certificate files: '''Also known as C-Files. Began with the ''Basic Naturalization Act of 1906''. All persons naturalized between 1906 and 1956 have a C-File with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The C-Files include a copy of the declaration, petition, certificate of naturalization, and other documents. Files can be obtained from the [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] ($). | ||
'''Certificate of naturalization: '''The document issued by a naturalization court to a newly naturalized U.S. citizen to prove his citizenship. A certificate stub kept by the court proves the certificate was issued and provides the certificate number. These certificates are often found in home sources. They often state the court the certificate of issued from, which is also the court where the petition was filed. | '''Certificate of naturalization: '''The document issued by a naturalization court to a newly naturalized U.S. citizen to prove his citizenship. A certificate stub kept by the court proves the certificate was issued and provides the certificate number. These certificates are often found in home sources. They often state the court the certificate of issued from, which is also the court where the petition was filed. | ||
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'''FOIA: '''Abbreviation for Freedom of Information Act. See Freedom of Information Act. | '''FOIA: '''Abbreviation for Freedom of Information Act. See Freedom of Information Act. | ||
'''Freedom of Information Act: '''Also known as FOIA, this law governs your right to request information created or held by the US Government. Each Federal agency administers its own FOIA program. Most genealogical requests are considered "third party" FOIA requests because the records requested relate to a person other than the requester. Immigrant records created since the 1950's must be requested from the [ | '''Freedom of Information Act: '''Also known as FOIA, this law governs your right to request information created or held by the US Government. Each Federal agency administers its own FOIA program. Most genealogical requests are considered "third party" FOIA requests because the records requested relate to a person other than the requester. Immigrant records created since the 1950's must be requested from the [https://www.uscis.gov/records/recordsUSCIS FOIA Program] using [https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-639.pdf Form G-639]. Most immigration and naturalization records created up to the 1950s are available from the [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] ($). | ||
'''Genealogy Program: '''The USCIS [ | '''Genealogy Program: '''The USCIS [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] was set up by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to assist the public obtain copies of post 1906 naturalization and other immigrant records. Visit website for fees. | ||
'''Immigration and Naturalization Service: '''Also known as INS. The Immigration and Naturalization Service was created on June 10, 1933 from the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. It was changed to Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) on March 1, 2003 and to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on November 1, 2003. | '''Immigration and Naturalization Service: '''Also known as INS. The Immigration and Naturalization Service was created on June 10, 1933 from the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. It was changed to Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) on March 1, 2003 and to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on November 1, 2003. | ||
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'''Petition: '''Also known as "second papers" or "final papers." The petition was the final naturalization document submitted by the immigrant to the court. From 1790 to 1824 there was a 3 year waiting period before the Petition could be submitted to the court. In 1824, the waiting period changed to 2 years. | '''Petition: '''Also known as "second papers" or "final papers." The petition was the final naturalization document submitted by the immigrant to the court. From 1790 to 1824 there was a 3 year waiting period before the Petition could be submitted to the court. In 1824, the waiting period changed to 2 years. | ||
'''Registry files: '''These files were created for aliens who arrived before 1924 but for whom no arrival record could be found. Registry files contain a certificate of registry, proof of residence, and employment records. These files, dated 1929-1944, can be obtained from the [ | '''Registry files: '''These files were created for aliens who arrived before 1924 but for whom no arrival record could be found. Registry files contain a certificate of registry, proof of residence, and employment records. These files, dated 1929-1944, can be obtained from the [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] ($). | ||
'''Report and registry:''' From 1798 to 1828, a new immigrant was required to appear before a local court and register his arrival in the United States. For more information, click [[United States Naturalization and Citizenship#Report_and_Registry.2C_1798-1828]]. | '''Report and registry:''' From 1798 to 1828, a new immigrant was required to appear before a local court and register his arrival in the United States. For more information, click [[United States Naturalization and Citizenship#Report_and_Registry.2C_1798-1828]]. | ||
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'''Second papers:''' Another name for the petition. See petition. | '''Second papers:''' Another name for the petition. See petition. | ||
'''United States Citizenship and Immigration Services: '''Also known as USCIS. Created November 1, 2003 from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The USCIS houses copies of naturalization records created after 1906. Naturalization records before 1956 can be obtained from the USCIS through their [ | '''United States Citizenship and Immigration Services: '''Also known as USCIS. Created November 1, 2003 from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The USCIS houses copies of naturalization records created after 1906. Naturalization records before 1956 can be obtained from the USCIS through their [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] ($). | ||
'''USCIS: '''Abbreviation for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. See United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. | '''USCIS: '''Abbreviation for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. See United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. | ||
'''Visa files: '''Began with the Immigration Act of 1924. All aliens had to have a visa to enter the United States. Visas had to be obtained at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. Visa files contain birth information, parents, children, previous residence and a photograph. Visa files, 1924-1944, can be obtained through the [ | '''Visa files: '''Began with the Immigration Act of 1924. All aliens had to have a visa to enter the United States. Visas had to be obtained at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. Visa files contain birth information, parents, children, previous residence and a photograph. Visa files, 1924-1944, can be obtained through the [https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy Genealogy Program] ($). It also includes the immigrants birth date, birthplace, and other information. | ||
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*Newman, John J. American Naturalization Records 1790-1990. (Bountiful, UT: Heritage Quest, 1998). | *Newman, John J. American Naturalization Records 1790-1990. (Bountiful, UT: Heritage Quest, 1998). | ||
*Schaefer, Christina K. Guide to Naturalization Records of the United States (Baltimore, MD: Christina K. Schaefer, 1997). | *Schaefer, Christina K. Guide to Naturalization Records of the United States (Baltimore, MD: Christina K. Schaefer, 1997). | ||
*Szucs, Loretto Dennis. They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic | *Szucs, Loretto Dennis. They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins. (Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry Incorporated, 1998). | ||
*United States Citizenship and Immigration Services | *United States Citizenship and Immigration Services: Alien Registration Forms on Microfilm, 1940-1944 | ||
* | *[http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis United States Citizenship and Immigration Services] | ||
[[Category:United States Naturalization and Citizenship]] | [[Category:United States Naturalization and Citizenship]] | ||