United States Naturalization and Citizenship: Difference between revisions

{{NatDC}}''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United_States_Naturalization_and_Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]]''<br><br><br><br><br>[[Image:{{Naturalization Photo}}|thumb|right]] __TOC__  

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:[http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis '''''United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)''''']--After 1906, a copy of all naturalization records were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS, now called the USCIS. You may access their records through the [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy Genealogy Program]. Their website is [http://www.uscis.gov www.uscis.gov]. More details are listed below under, ''Using the Genealogy Program at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.'''''<br>'''

The [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)] has instituted the [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy Genealogy Program] for public access to immigrant records from 1906 to 1956 created by this agency, formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).   Before making a request, review [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/requesting-help/record-requests-frequently-asked-questions Genealogy FAQ] and [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/avoid-common-errors Genealogy Common Errors] sections.

*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/certificate-files-september-27-1906-march-31-1956 Certificate Files] from September 27, 1906 to April 1, 1956  

*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/alien-registration-forms-microfilm-1940-1944 Alien Registration Forms] from August 1, 1940 to March 31, 1944  

*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/visa-files-july-1-1924-march-31-1944 Visa files] from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944  

*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/registry-files-march-2-1929-march-31-1944 Registry Files] from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944  

When ordering by mail, use forms [http://www.uscis.gov/g-1041 G-1041] (for an index search) and [http://www.uscis.gov/g-1041a G-1041a] (for obtaining the record). Do not submit a request for records until you have completed an index search.  

When ordering on-line, begin with a [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/searching-index valid file number]. Then [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/making-request-online make a request on-line].

Once the form is filled out, include a money order or cashier's check. Cash or a personal check will not be accepted. There are no refunds for incorrect file numbers submitted or for negative results. The mailing address and fee schedule are on the forms.

Evidence that an immigrant became a citizen can be found in censuses, court minutes, [[Homestead_Records|homestead records]], [[US_Immigration_Passports|passports]], voting registers, and military papers. Even if an immigrant ancestor did not complete the process and become a citizen, he may have begun the process and filed a declaration of intention  

It is helpful to know if your ancestor naturalized. Documents found in your family’s possession may indicate if your ancestor naturalized. One document you may find in your family's possession is a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. This document indicates that your ancestor completed the process, and was a naturalized citizen of the United States. The certificate also states the court where the petition was filed. This helps locate a copy of the petition, which can contain more information about the immigrant. <br>

'''<u>Passport:</u>'''<br>

If your ancestor had a United States passport, your ancestor completed the naturalization process and was a US Citizen. Passports were only given to U.S. citizens. They were 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 [[United States Passports|here]].<br>

Under the Act of March 2, 1929, individuals who derived citizenship through a parent's naturalization could apply for and receive a Certificate of Citizenship in their own name. Applicants age 21 or older applied to the Bureau of Naturalization, later the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS, now [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy USCIS]), and that agency issues such certificates without any involvement of the courts. For this reason records of certificates of derivative citizenship are available only from [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy USCIS]. Many immigrants who derived citizenship in the 1870's, 1880's, or 1890's later applied for derivative certificates in the 1930's and 1940's. Certificates of Citizenship issued between 1929 and 1956 are among the [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=80cc499275c47310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b5f56782d3c37310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD USCIS Certificate Files (C-Files)], while those issued after 1956 are among the [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9f594b185a157310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b5f56782d3c37310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD USCIS Alien Files (A-Files)].  

The Act of May 26, 1824 allowed immigrants who arrived before their 18th birthday to, upon reaching age 21, petition for naturalization without filing a prior declaration of intention. &nbsp;Petitions filed under this provision are usually called "'''Minor Naturalizations'''" because they relate to individuals who arrived as a minor (but who were an adult, age 21 or older, when actually naturalized). &nbsp;They are also examples of "one paper naturalizations" because no declaration was required. &nbsp;Many courts combined the declaration and petition documents into a form for this document which may or may not include the word "minor" in the title. Regular forms will cite the 1824 Act. &nbsp;The minor naturalization provision was often abused and was repealed in 1906.<ref name="Newman">Newman, John J. ''American Naturalization Records 1790-1990.'' (Bountiful, UT: Heritage Quest, 1998).</ref>&nbsp;

In 1922, citizenship was no longer available to women through marriage. However, from 1907 to 1922, a woman could lose her U.S. citizenship if she married an alien, even if she was born in the United States. For more information, read Marian L. Smith's article, ''Women and Naturalization, ca. 1802-1940''.

There are over 150 [[United States Naturalization Laws#Naturalization_Laws|U.S. naturalization laws]] that have been enacted since 1790. These laws change the residency requirements and other stipulations for naturalizing. ; A summary of some of the major naturalization acts passed by congress can be found [[United States Naturalization Laws|here]].

There are many [[Naturalization Terms and Acronyms|terms and acronyms]] used when discussing naturalization records. A list of them can be found [[Naturalization Terms and Acronyms|here]].  

== Other Resources ==

[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]

[[Category:United_States_Naturalization_and_Citizenship]] [[Category:National_Archives_and_Records_Administration]] [[Category:Family_History_Library]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States|Record_Types_of_the_United_States]]