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United States Naturalization and Citizenship (view source)
Revision as of 12:34, 22 January 2008
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=== Changes in Requirements, 1700s to Present === | === Changes in Requirements, 1700s to Present === | ||
'''Pre-1790: | '''Pre-1790: '''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. | ||
'''1790: | '''1790: '''The first federal law regarding naturalization required residency in the United States for two years and in a state for one year, but each state continued to provide naturalization under a variety of requirements and procedures until 1906. | ||
'''1802 to 1868: | '''1802 to 1868: '''An individual had to prove residency in a state for one year and in the country for five years. A declaration of intention (see below) had to be filed at least two years before the final papers or petition could be filed. | ||
'''1868: | '''1868: '''Since 1868 persons who were born in the United States or naturalized have been guaranteed citizenship rights. This included Black Americans but excluded most American Indians until 1924. | ||
'''1906 to present: | '''1906 to present: '''The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization was created to standardize laws and procedures. Residency in a state for one year and in the United States for five years continues to be a basic requirement. | ||
=== Collective Naturalizations === | === Collective Naturalizations === | ||
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Newman, John J. ''American Naturalization Processes and Procedures, 1790-1985.'' Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1985. (FHL book 973 P4n.) | Newman, John J. ''American Naturalization Processes and Procedures, 1790-1985.'' Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1985. (FHL book 973 P4n.) | ||
For general information about court records, | For general information about court records, see [[United States Court Records]]. | ||
== Locating Naturalization Records == | == Locating Naturalization Records == | ||
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The first place to search for naturalization records created from 1906 to 1956 is an index in: | The first place to search for naturalization records created from 1906 to 1956 is an index in: | ||
Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)<br | 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. | 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. | ||
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=== Records at the Family History Library === | === Records at the Family History Library === | ||
Naturalization records at the library are listed in | Naturalization records at the library are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under one of the following: | ||
[STATE] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP | [STATE] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
[[Category:United States of America]] | |||