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:*Date and place of registration<ref>United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, :Alien Registration Forms on Microfilm, 1940-1944</ref> | :*Date and place of registration<ref>United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, :Alien Registration Forms on Microfilm, 1940-1944</ref> | ||
== Locating Naturalization Records<br> | == Locating Naturalization Records<br> == | ||
=== By Time Period - What to Know Before Searching<br> | === By Time Period - What to Know Before Searching<br> === | ||
==== Colonial Time Period (Before 1790)<br> | ==== Colonial Time Period (Before 1790)<br> ==== | ||
Naturalization records before 1790 differ vastly from later naturalization records. Colonial naturalization | Naturalization records before 1790 differ vastly from later naturalization records. Colonial naturalization consist mostly of lists of those that took the oath of allegience. The colony where the immigrant was living gave naturalizations. | ||
A good source to | A good source to begin searching for colonial naturalization records is William P. Filby's ''Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s- 1900s. ''This source has indexed published passenger lists as well as early published naturalization records. ''Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s- 1900s ''includes the original sources where the information came from. <br> | ||
''Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s- 1900s ''is available in book form, CD-ROM, and Ancestry.com. There are several sets and supplements that have been added to the original publication. The most current supplement, 2009 is in book form and not included in the CD-ROM or Ancestry.com database. | |||
==== Records Between 1790 and September 1906 | ==== Records Between 1790 and September 1906 ==== | ||
An immigrant may have completed naturalization proceedings through any of 5,000 federal, state, or local courts that had the authority to grant citizenship. Naturalization proceedings were most often completed in county, superior or common pleas courts, or in state and U.S. circuit and district courts. Because some municipal, police, criminal, probate, and other courts also provided this service, you may need to search the records of all local courts. | An immigrant may have completed naturalization proceedings through any of 5,000 federal, state, or local courts that had the authority to grant citizenship. Naturalization proceedings were most often completed in county, superior or common pleas courts, or in state and U.S. circuit and district courts. Because some municipal, police, criminal, probate, and other courts also provided this service, you may need to search the records of all local courts. | ||
You may need to search the records of each place where your immigrant ancestor lived to locate both naturalization records. He may have filed the declartion of intention in one court in one state and filed the petition several years later in another court and state. Begin first by looking for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant settled. Most likely the petition (second papers) was filed in that county or city. | You may need to search the records of each place where your immigrant ancestor lived to locate both naturalization records. He may have filed the declartion of intention in one court in one state and filed the petition several years later in another court and state. Begin first by looking for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant settled. Most likely the petition (second papers) was filed in that county or city. | ||
==== Records Since September 1906 <br> | ==== Records Since September 1906 <br> ==== | ||
Beginning in September 1906, the federal government began regulating the naturalization process. The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (now the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS) required specific forms for declarations and petitions. Only these forms could be used and the Bureau controlled the number of courts able to naturalize by controlling distribution of the forms. However, both state and federal courts were allowed to naturalize.<br> | Beginning in September 1906, the federal government began regulating the naturalization process. The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (now the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS) required specific forms for declarations and petitions. Only these forms could be used and the Bureau controlled the number of courts able to naturalize by controlling distribution of the forms. However, both state and federal courts were allowed to naturalize.<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> | 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. Most (but not all) naturalizations were then handled by federal circuit or district courts. | 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. Most (but not all) naturalizations were then handled by federal circuit or district courts. | ||
=== Finding Naturalization Records<br> | === Finding Naturalization Records<br> === | ||
==== On the Internet<br> | ==== On the Internet<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>'' | 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 ''Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes and Records'']'''''--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 ''Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes and Records'']'''''--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.'' | ||
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:The following records are available through the Genealogy Program: | :The following records are available through the Genealogy Program: | ||
::Naturalization Certificate Files (C-files) from September 27, 1906 to April 1, 1956<br> | ::Naturalization Certificate Files (C-files) from September 27, 1906 to April 1, 1956<br> | ||
::Alien Registration Forms from August 1, 1940 to March 31, 1944<br> | ::Alien Registration Forms from August 1, 1940 to March 31, 1944<br> | ||
::Visa files from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944<br> | ::Visa files from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944<br> | ||
::Registry Files from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944<br> | ::Registry Files from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944<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]]. | ::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]]. | ||
==== At the Family History Library <br> | ==== At the Family History Library <br> ==== | ||
Naturalization records at the library are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under one of the following: <br> [STATE] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP <br> [STATE], [COUNTY] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP <br> [STATE], [COUNTY], [TOWN] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP <br> | Naturalization records at the library are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under one of the following: <br> [STATE] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP <br> [STATE], [COUNTY] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP <br> [STATE], [COUNTY], [TOWN] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP <br> | ||
The library has also acquired large collections of naturalization records from the National Archives branches in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. | The library has also acquired large collections of naturalization records from the National Archives branches in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. | ||
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In some states, naturalization records are included in other court records and are not separately identified. The state research outlines will help you locate these records. | In some states, naturalization records are included in other court records and are not separately identified. The state research outlines will help you locate these records. | ||
A key reference book about naturalizations is: <br>• 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. <br> | A key reference book about naturalizations is: <br>• 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. <br> | ||
==== At Regional Archives and other Repositories<br> | ==== At Regional Archives and other Repositories<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> | 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]. | ||
==== Using the Genealogy Program at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services <br> | ==== Using the Genealogy Program at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services <br> ==== | ||
Beginning in September 1906, the federal government began regulating the naturalization process. The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (now the Citizenship and Immigration Services or CIS) required specific forms for declarations and petitions. Only these forms could be used and the Bureau controlled the number of courts able to naturalize by controlling distribution of the forms. However, both state and federal courts were allowed to naturalize. | Beginning in September 1906, the federal government began regulating the naturalization process. The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (now the Citizenship and Immigration Services or CIS) required specific forms for declarations and petitions. Only these forms could be used and the Bureau controlled the number of courts able to naturalize by controlling distribution of the forms. However, both state and federal courts were allowed to naturalize. | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
<u>'''Genealogy Program'''</u><br> | <u>'''Genealogy Program'''</u><br> | ||
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adopted a new [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD Genealogy Program] as of 13 Aug 2008. This program will be used to access all records created by this agency, formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Be sure to review the [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3e0c69a3a0331110VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD Genealogy Frequently Asked Questions] website to expedite your order and ensure success in your request. | The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adopted a new [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD Genealogy Program] as of 13 Aug 2008. This program will be used to access all records created by this agency, formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Be sure to review the [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3e0c69a3a0331110VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD Genealogy Frequently Asked Questions] website to expedite your order and ensure success in your request. | ||
The following records can be requested: <br> | The following records can be requested: <br> | ||
*Naturalization Certificate Files | *Naturalization Certificate Files | ||
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