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== Why Use This Record?<br> == | == Why Use This Record?<br> == | ||
<u>'''Naturalization Overview <br>'''</u> | <u>'''Naturalization Overview <br>'''</u> | ||
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. <br> | 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. <br> | ||
Immigrants to the United States have never been required to apply for citizenship. An immigrant could become a citizen anytime after they arrived to the United States. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship to become a citizen. <br> | Immigrants to the United States have never been required to apply for citizenship. An immigrant could become a citizen anytime after they arrived to the United States. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship to become a citizen. <br> | ||
== Record Content<br> == | == Record Content<br> == | ||
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*Marital status<br> | *Marital status<br> | ||
== Coverage<br> == | == Coverage<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> | 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> | ||
=== Colonial Naturalization (Pre-1790) <br> === | === Colonial Naturalization (Pre-1790) <br> === | ||
British immigrants were automatically citizens of the colonies (British Empire). A few Protestant immigrants from other countries gave oaths of allegiance or appeared before a civil authority to request citizenship (a process sometimes referred to as denization). Seven of the original colonies had their own laws for naturalizing foreigners as citizens of the British Empire colony. After the Revolutionary War, the individual states established their own naturalization laws and procedures. <br> | British immigrants were automatically citizens of the colonies (British Empire). A few Protestant immigrants from other countries gave oaths of allegiance or appeared before a civil authority to request citizenship (a process sometimes referred to as denization). Seven of the original colonies had their own laws for naturalizing foreigners as citizens of the British Empire colony. After the Revolutionary War, the individual states established their own naturalization laws and procedures. <br> | ||
<u>'''Types of Colonial Naturalization'''</u><br> | <u>'''Types of Colonial Naturalization'''</u><br> | ||
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The Declaration of Intent (Form 2202) was completed in triplicate. The court kept the original and gave copies to the applicant and the Bureau. The Petition for Naturalization (Form 2204) was kept by the court and a duplicate was sent to the INS. The Certificate of Naturalization (Form 2207) was given to the new citizen. A duplicate was sent to the INS and the court kept the stub.<br> | The Declaration of Intent (Form 2202) was completed in triplicate. The court kept the original and gave copies to the applicant and the Bureau. The Petition for Naturalization (Form 2204) was kept by the court and a duplicate was sent to the INS. The Certificate of Naturalization (Form 2207) was given to the new citizen. A duplicate was sent to the INS and the court kept the stub.<br> | ||
In 1929 the INS changed the forms and required photographs of the applicants. Because the new forms were not distributed immediately, many state courts ceased naturalizing. Since 1929, most new citizens have naturalized at federal courts. <br> | In 1929 the INS changed the forms and required photographs of the applicants. Because the new forms were not distributed immediately, many state courts ceased naturalizing. Since 1929, most new citizens have naturalized at federal courts. <br> | ||
=== Strategy For Finding Naturalization Records<br> === | === Strategy For Finding Naturalization Records<br> === | ||
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There are many online resources available for researching naturalization records. These online resources include naturalization indexes as well as digital images of naturalization records. ''<br>'' | There are many online resources available for researching naturalization records. These online resources include naturalization indexes as well as digital images of naturalization records. ''<br>'' | ||
[http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/naturalization.html <u>'''''Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes and Records'''''</u</u>]<u>--</u>This website contains links to naturalization indexes and records. It is arranged by state and gives the statewide indexes and records first. It then gives the countywide indexes and records. This website is updated regularly and is a great source to begin searching for naturalization records on the Internet. | '''[http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/naturalization.html <u>'''''Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes and Records'''''</u</u>]<u>--</u>This website contains links to naturalization indexes and records. It is arranged by state and gives the statewide indexes and records first. It then gives the countywide indexes and records. This website is updated regularly and is a great source to begin searching for naturalization records on the Internet. | ||
<u>''[http://www.footnote.com <u>'''Footnote.com'''</u>]''--</u>This website has a partnership with the National Archives in bringing digital images of some of the National Archives collections online. Some of the website is free, other images are only available through a subscription. Free access is given to the website at the National Archives, at National Archives regional branches and at Family History Centers that have Internet access. | <u>''[http://www.footnote.com <u>'''Footnote.com'''</u>]''--</u>This website has a partnership with the National Archives in bringing digital images of some of the National Archives collections online. Some of the website is free, other images are only available through a subscription. Free access is given to the website at the National Archives, at National Archives regional branches and at Family History Centers that have Internet access. | ||
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:Alien Files (A-files) numbered below 8 million (A8000000) and documents therein dated prior to May 1, 1951<br> | :Alien Files (A-files) numbered below 8 million (A8000000) and documents therein dated prior to May 1, 1951<br> | ||
For more information about the Genealogy Program of the USCIS, click [[United States Naturalization Records#United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS)|here]].<br> | For more information about the Genealogy Program of the USCIS, click [[United States Naturalization Records#United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS)|here]].<br> | ||
==== Records at the Family History Library <br> ==== | ==== Records at the Family History Library <br> ==== | ||
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The clerk of the court where the immigrant was naturalized may still have the original records. Some copies of court naturalization records have been transferred to National Archives regional branches. Because of the high expense of getting naturalization records from the USCIS, it is suggested to check to see if the Federal Court records are located at a National Archives regional branch or at the court house the naturalization document was filed. <br> | The clerk of the court where the immigrant was naturalized may still have the original records. Some copies of court naturalization records have been transferred to National Archives regional branches. Because of the high expense of getting naturalization records from the USCIS, it is suggested to check to see if the Federal Court records are located at a National Archives regional branch or at the court house the naturalization document was filed. <br> | ||
National Archive regional branches have websites that often state which naturalization records they have available. To locate the regional branch covering the location of the court where the naturalization document was filed, click [http://www.archives.gov/locations/ here]. | National Archive regional branches have websites that often state which naturalization records they have available. To locate the regional branch covering the location of the court where the naturalization document was filed, click [http://www.archives.gov/locations/ here]. | ||
==== United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS)<br> ==== | ==== United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS)<br> ==== | ||
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The fee schedule will be as follows: <br> Index Search--$20 <br> Microfilm copies--$20 <br> Paper copies--$35 | The fee schedule will be as follows: <br> Index Search--$20 <br> Microfilm copies--$20 <br> Paper copies--$35 | ||
Form G-639, the FOIA form will still be used for later searches. <br> | Form G-639, the FOIA form will still be used for later searches. <br> | ||
== Before Searching For Naturalization Records...<br> == | == Before Searching For Naturalization Records...<br> == | ||
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'''<u>Passport:</u>'''<br> | '''<u>Passport:</u>'''<br> | ||
If you ancestor had a United States passport, your ancestor completed the naturalization process and was a US Citizen. Passports were only given to US citizens and was not required for travel outside of the United States during times of war. Often newly naturalized citizens would obtain passports to keep them from being drafted in their native country's military. For more information about United States Passports, click [[US Immigration Passports|here]].<br> | If you ancestor had a United States passport, your ancestor completed the naturalization process and was a US Citizen. Passports were only given to US citizens and was not required for travel outside of the United States during times of war. Often newly naturalized citizens would obtain passports to keep them from being drafted in their native country's military. For more information about United States Passports, click [[US Immigration Passports|here]].<br> | ||
== Tips for Success<br> == | == Tips for Success<br> == | ||
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Search all spellings of the surname. Think about how the surname was pronounced, and how it sounded in your ancestor's probable accent. The surname may be spelled differently in earlier records that were closer to your ancestor's immigration date.<br> | Search all spellings of the surname. Think about how the surname was pronounced, and how it sounded in your ancestor's probable accent. The surname may be spelled differently in earlier records that were closer to your ancestor's immigration date.<br> | ||
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== Other Naturalization Topics == | == Other Naturalization Topics == | ||
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