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{{NatDC}}''[[United States Genealogy|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United_States_Naturalization_and_Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]]''<br><br><br><br><br>[[Image:{{Naturalization Photo}}|thumb|right | {{NatDC}}''[[United States Genealogy|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United_States_Naturalization_and_Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]]''<br><br><br><br><br>[[Image:{{Naturalization Photo}}|thumb|right]] __TOC__ | ||
= U.S. | === U.S. Naturalization Records === | ||
== Most Popular Websites for Naturalization Records == | ==== Most Popular Websites for Naturalization Records ==== | ||
{| width="611" | {| width="611" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="center" | ||
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| '''''Website Links''''' | | '''''Website Links''''' | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
== Why Use This Record?<br> == | ==== Why Use This Record?<br> ==== | ||
[[Image:Flag and gavel.jpg|thumb|right]]<br> | [[Image:Flag and gavel.jpg|thumb|right|Flag and gavel.jpg]]<br> | ||
<u>'''Naturalization Overview <br>'''</u> | <u>'''Naturalization Overview <br>'''</u> | ||
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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 in the United States. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements 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 in the United States. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements to become a citizen. <br> | ||
== Record Content<br> == | ==== Record Content<br> ==== | ||
Before 1906, the information recorded on naturalization records differed widely. Naturalization records before 1906 are not likely to give town of origin or names of parents. However, naturalization records after 1906 contain more information than earlier records. Information in post-1906 records is more detailed and may include birth dates, birth places, and other immigration information about the immigrant and members of his family.<br> | Before 1906, the information recorded on naturalization records differed widely. Naturalization records before 1906 are not likely to give town of origin or names of parents. However, naturalization records after 1906 contain more information than earlier records. Information in post-1906 records is more detailed and may include birth dates, birth places, and other immigration information about the immigrant and members of his family.<br> | ||
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:*Marital status<br> | :*Marital status<br> | ||
== Naturalization Process and Coverage == | ==== Naturalization Process and Coverage ==== | ||
Naturalization records began in Colonial times. 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 given in a court of record.<br> | Naturalization records began in Colonial times. 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 given in a court of record.<br> | ||
=== Colonial Naturalization (Pre-1790) === | ===== Colonial Naturalization (Pre-1790) ====== | ||
British immigrants were automatically citizens of the colonies (British Empire). 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). 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> | ||
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:'''Collective citizenship'''--This naturalization process was used to naturalize a group of people without using documents. Collective naturalization happened when the United States became a country in 1776 and all those living in the country (except Native Americans and African Americans) were collectively and automatically made US citizens.<br> | :'''Collective citizenship'''--This naturalization process was used to naturalize a group of people without using documents. Collective naturalization happened when the United States became a country in 1776 and all those living in the country (except Native Americans and African Americans) were collectively and automatically made US citizens.<br> | ||
=== Naturalization From 1790-1906<ref name="Newman" /> === | ===== Naturalization From 1790-1906<ref name="Newman" /> ===== | ||
The first naturalization law was enacted in 1790. Over the years, naturalization laws changed numerous times, but generally speaking the process required a Declaration of Intention and a Petition to be filed to become a citizen (Except during the years 1798 to 1828. see [[United States Naturalization Records#Report_and_Registry.2C_1798-1828|Report and Registry]] listed below). After 1906, several other documents were created during the naturalization process. | The first naturalization law was enacted in 1790. Over the years, naturalization laws changed numerous times, but generally speaking the process required a Declaration of Intention and a Petition to be filed to become a citizen (Except during the years 1798 to 1828. see [[United States Naturalization Records#Report_and_Registry.2C_1798-1828|Report and Registry]] listed below). After 1906, several other documents were created during the naturalization process. | ||
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:#'''Certificate.''' After all requirements were completed, the immigrant was sworn in as a citizen and issued his or her certificate. The certificate is given from the same court the petition is filed in. It is called the Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization. | :#'''Certificate.''' After all requirements were completed, the immigrant was sworn in as a citizen and issued his or her certificate. The certificate is given from the same court the petition is filed in. It is called the Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization. | ||
==== <u>'''Report and Registry, 1798-1828'''</u> ==== | ===== <u>'''Report and Registry, 1798-1828'''</u> ===== | ||
From 1798 to 1828, a new immigrant was required to appear before a local court and register his arrival in the United States. This was usually recorded in the court minutes. Sometimes a separate document, a report and registry or aliens' register, was created instead. The immigrant could obtain a certificate showing that he had registered in order to prove his residency later when he applied for citizenship. The Report and Registry could take place at a different time and different court than the immigrant's declaration. | From 1798 to 1828, a new immigrant was required to appear before a local court and register his arrival in the United States. This was usually recorded in the court minutes. Sometimes a separate document, a report and registry or aliens' register, was created instead. The immigrant could obtain a certificate showing that he had registered in order to prove his residency later when he applied for citizenship. The Report and Registry could take place at a different time and different court than the immigrant's declaration. | ||
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:*Occupation | :*Occupation | ||
=== Naturalization After 1906<br> === | ===== Naturalization After 1906<br> ===== | ||
When the INS was created in 1906, other naturalization records were created to process naturalizations and keep track of immigrants in the United States. Copies of these documents are only in the possession of the former INS, now [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)]. A summary of some of these documents are listed below: | When the INS was created in 1906, other naturalization records were created to process naturalizations and keep track of immigrants in the United States. Copies of these documents are only in the possession of the former INS, now [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)]. A summary of some of these documents are listed below: | ||
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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> | ||
== Naturalization Records by State == | ==== Naturalization Records by State ==== | ||
{{Naturalization States}} | {{Naturalization States}} | ||
== 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 Naturalization Records (Pre-1790)<br> ==== | ====== Colonial Naturalization Records (Pre-1790)<br> ====== | ||
Naturalization records before 1790 differ vastly from later naturalization records. Colonial naturalizations consist mostly of lists of those that took the oath of allegience. The colony where the immigrant was living had jurisdiction over naturalizations. | Naturalization records before 1790 differ vastly from later naturalization records. Colonial naturalizations consist mostly of lists of those that took the oath of allegience. The colony where the immigrant was living had jurisdiction over naturalizations. | ||
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*Bockstruck, Lloyd deWitt. ''Denizations and Naturalizations in the British Colonies in America, 1607-1775''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2005. {{FHL|1210002|item|disp=FHL Book 970 P4b}}. | *Bockstruck, Lloyd deWitt. ''Denizations and Naturalizations in the British Colonies in America, 1607-1775''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2005. {{FHL|1210002|item|disp=FHL Book 970 P4b}}. | ||
==== 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. | ||
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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> | ||
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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. However, naturalizations were still taking place in local county courts as well as federal courts and the records of any court still naturalizing should be consulted to locate your ancestor's records. | 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. However, naturalizations were still taking place in local county courts as well as federal courts and the records of any court still naturalizing should be consulted to locate your ancestor's records. | ||
=== Finding Naturalization Records<br> === | ===== Finding Naturalization Records<br> ===== | ||
Immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations. That included city, county, state and federal courts. After 1906, federal courts naturalized many immigrants, however, other local courts continued to naturalize as late as 1985. Check all possible courts in the area your ancestor lived. | Immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations. That included city, county, state and federal courts. After 1906, federal courts naturalized many immigrants, however, other local courts continued to naturalize as late as 1985. Check all possible courts in the area your ancestor lived. | ||
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'''<u>Names of Parents</u>'''<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1281456402678_512" /> | '''<u>Names of Parents</u>'''<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1281456402678_512" /> | ||
Names of parents are not regularly found associated with naturalization records. Late 19th and 20th century passenger list immigration records may reveal the name of a parent if they are shown as the closest relative left behind in the old country or the person to whom the immigrant was destined. Immigrants admitted from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944 will have their parent's names shown in their [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=1e429e4e78157310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b5f56782d3c37310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD Visa file]. Copies of [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextoid=8d6bfd262fa4b110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD visa files] can only be obtained from the [http://www.uscis.gov/ USCIS.] | Names of parents are not regularly found associated with naturalization records. Late 19th and 20th century passenger list immigration records may reveal the name of a parent if they are shown as the closest relative left behind in the old country or the person to whom the immigrant was destined. Immigrants admitted from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944 will have their parent's names shown in their [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=1e429e4e78157310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b5f56782d3c37310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD Visa file]. Copies of [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextoid=8d6bfd262fa4b110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD visa files] can only be obtained from the [http://www.uscis.gov/ USCIS.] Immigrants who arrived prior to 1924 but who underwent Registry proceedings between 1929 and 1944 usually name their parents in their [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=de8d7e1d89157310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b5f56782d3c37310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD Registry File], also available from [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy USCIS]. Only if the immigrant naturalized after March 31, 1944, will the Visa File or [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=de8d7e1d89157310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b5f56782d3c37310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD Registry File ]be found in the [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy USCIS] naturalization Certificate File. | ||
=== Exceptions to the Naturalization Process<br> === | === Exceptions to the Naturalization Process<br> === | ||
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[http://www.us-immigration.com/naturalization-process-gender-age-marital-status/ The Naturalization Process and Current Trends in Immigration in the United States: By Gender, By Age and By Marital Status] | [http://www.us-immigration.com/naturalization-process-gender-age-marital-status/ The Naturalization Process and Current Trends in Immigration in the United States: By Gender, By Age and By Marital Status] | ||
[https://www.uscitizenship.info/ins-citizenship-process.html INS Citizenship Process] | [https://www.uscitizenship.info/ins-citizenship-process.html INS Citizenship Process] | ||
[http://www.uscitizenship.info/a-guide-to-uscis-and-the-process-for-citizenship/?r=bing-organic-search-guide+to+citizenship%27 A Guide to USCIS and the Process for Citizenship] | [http://www.uscitizenship.info/a-guide-to-uscis-and-the-process-for-citizenship/?r=bing-organic-search-guide+to+citizenship%27 A Guide to USCIS and the Process for Citizenship] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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