No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 72: | Line 72: | ||
== <br>Coverage<br> == | == <br>Coverage<br> == | ||
Naturalization records start as early as the colonies were created. The requirements and process of naturalization have changed many times. The basic requirements have been residency in the country for a given period of time, good moral character, and an oath of loyalty or allegiance.<br> | Naturalization records start as early as when the colonies were created. The requirements and process of naturalization have changed many times over the years. The basic requirements have been residency in the country for a given period of time, good moral character, and an oath of loyalty or allegiance.<br> | ||
=== <br>Colonial Naturalization (Pre-1790) <br> === | === <br>Colonial Naturalization (Pre-1790) <br> === | ||
| Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
=== Naturalization Process After 1790 <br> === | === Naturalization Process After 1790 <br> === | ||
The first naturalization law was enacted in 1790 and new naturalization laws were created throughout the years. | The first naturalization law was enacted in 1790 and new naturalization laws were created throughout the subsequent years. The 1790 law was the beginning of the naturalization process which required a [[Portal-United States Naturalization. Naturalization Records-Declaration of Intention|Declaration of Intention]] and a Petition to naturalize. <br>The naturalization process is completed in a court of law. The process usually required several steps to complete and various documents related to naturalization may be found in the court records described below. <br>The typical naturalization process involved three steps: <br> | ||
#'''Declaration of Intention.''' The immigrant filed a declaration of intention (first papers) to renounce allegiance to foreign governments and in order to later prove he or she had resided in the country long enough to apply for citizenship. Declarations were filed many places. Some were filed in a court at the port of arrival, some en route to a new home, and some in the immigrant's new home. | #'''Declaration of Intention.''' The immigrant filed a declaration of intention (first papers) to renounce allegiance to foreign governments and in order to later prove he or she had resided in the country long enough to apply for citizenship. Declarations were filed many places. Some were filed in a court at the port of arrival, some en route to a new home, and some in the immigrant's new home. | ||
| Line 98: | Line 98: | ||
=== 1906 to present<br> === | === 1906 to present<br> === | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
== <br>Locating Naturalization Records <br> == | == <br>Locating Naturalization Records <br> == | ||
edits