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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: | ||
:<u>'''Certificate of Arrival, 1906 to the present'''</u>--After 1906 an immigrant was required to submit a certificate of arrival when he petitioned for citizenship in order to prove the length of his residency. This document gives the place of entry, manner of arrival, and | :<u>'''Certificate of Arrival, 1906 to the present'''</u>--After 1906 an immigrant was required to submit a certificate of arrival when he petitioned for citizenship in order to prove the length of his residency. This document gives the place of entry, manner of arrival, and date of arrival. This was kept in the file with the petition. | ||
:<u>'''Certificate of Registry'''</u>-- | :<u>'''Certificate of Registry'''</u>--A certificate created by the INS to document immigrants who arrived prior to July 1, 1924 to the United States where no original arrival record could not be located. | ||
:<u>'''Visa and Application'''</u>-- Began with the Immigration Act of 1924. All aliens had to have a Visa to enter the United States. Visas were obtained at US Embassies and Consulates abroad. Visa Files contain birth information, parents, children, previous residence and a photograph. | :<u>'''Visa and Application'''</u>--Began with the Immigration Act of 1924. All aliens had to have a Visa to enter the United States. Visas were obtained at US Embassies and Consulates abroad. Visa Files contain birth information, parents, children, previous residence and a photograph beginning in 1929. | ||
:<u>'''Alien Registration'''</u>--The Alien Registration Act of 1940 required that every non-citizen of the United States, age 14 years and up, had to register and fill out the Alien Registration form. The Alien Registration Program created a specific form, AR-2, for this program and forms were created from 1 Aug 1940 to 31 Mar 1944. All original alien registration forms were microfilmed and are at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The originals were destroyed after filming. | :<u>'''Alien Registration'''</u>--The Alien Registration Act of 1940 required that every non-citizen of the United States, age 14 years and up, had to register and fill out the Alien Registration form. The Alien Registration Program created a specific form, AR-2, for this program and forms were created from 1 Aug 1940 to 31 Mar 1944 during World War II. All original alien registration forms were microfilmed and are at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The originals were destroyed after filming. | ||
:An alien registration form contains the following information: | :An alien registration form contains the following information: | ||
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:*Club, organization, or society memberships | :*Club, organization, or society memberships | ||
:*Military service (Country, branch, dates) | :*Military service (Country, branch, dates) | ||
:*Date and number of Declaration of Intention (if filed), and city and State where filed | :*Date and number of Declaration of Intention (if filed), and city and State where filed | ||
:*Date of Petition for Naturalization (if filed), and city and State where filed | :*Date of Petition for Naturalization (if filed), and city and State where filed | ||
:*Arrest history | :*Arrest history | ||
:*Fingerprint | :*Fingerprint | ||
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==== Colonial Naturalization Records (Pre-1790)<br> ==== | ==== Colonial Naturalization Records (Pre-1790)<br> ==== | ||
Naturalization records before 1790 differ vastly from later naturalization records. Colonial | 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. | ||
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> | 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> | ||
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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 applicant was to use the declaration to apply for the petition. If the declaration is still in possession of the family, | 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 applicant was to use the declaration to apply for the petition. If the declaration is still in possession of the family, the immigrant probably did not complete the process and was not a citizen. 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 and a stub of the Certificate was kept in the court to prove it was issued. A duplicate of the petition was sent to the INS. | ||
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. | ||
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