United States Naturalization Records

United States Naturalization Records

United States of America > United States Naturalization Records

Why Use This Record?

Naturalization Overview

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.

Immigrants to the United States have never been required to apply for citizenship. An immigrant could become a citizen anytime after they arrived to the United States. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship to become a citizen.

Record Content

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.

Before 1906, naturalization records may contain:

• Port of arrival
• Date of arrival
• Age of immigrant
• Residence of immigrant
• Country of origin or allegiance

In 1906, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization was created. (Later called Immigration and Naturalization Services or INS)

After 1906, naturalization records may contain:

• Birth date & place of immigrant
• Spouse & children
• Birth dates and places for spouse & children
• Port of arrival
• Date of arrival
• Vessel of arrival
• Occupation
• Physical Description
• Marriage date
• Age
• Residence
• Last Foreign Address
• Marital status

Coverage

Naturalization records start as early as the colonies were created. The requirements and process of naturalization have changed many times. 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.

Colonial Naturalization (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.

Types of Colonial Naturalization

Denization--A type of naturalization used to obtain land.  You could buy and sell land, but could not hold public office. There were no political privileges associated with denization.
Oath of Allegiance--This type of naturalization during the colonial period was used to renounce all former country loyalties.  This gave the immigrant full privileges, including voting and holding public office.
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 and all those living in the country (except Native Americans and African Americans) were collectively and automatically made US citizens.

Naturalization Process After 1790

The first naturalization law was enacted in 1790 and new naturalization laws were created throughout the years. This was the beginning of the naturalization process which required a Declaration of Intention and a Petition to naturalize.
The naturalization process is completed in a court of law. The process usually required several steps to complete and various documents related to naturalization may be found in the court records described below.
The typical naturalization process involved three steps:

1. Declaration of Intention. The immigrant filed a declaration of intention (first papers) to renounce allegiance to foreign governments and in order to later prove he or she had resided in the country long enough to apply for citizenship. Declarations were filed many places. Some were filed in a court at the port of arrival, some en route to a new home, and some in the immigrant's new home.
2. Petition. After two to five years the immigrant filed a petition for citizenship (second or final papers). Most often the petition was filed in a court nearest to the town where the immigrant settled.
3. Certificate. After all requirements were completed, the immigrant was sworn in as a citizen and issued his or her certificate.
   

Locating Naturalization Records

By Time Period

An individual 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. Since 1929 most (but not all) naturalizations have been handled by federal circuit or district courts.
You may need to search the records of each place where your immigrant ancestor lived. He may have filed an application in one county or state and completed the requirements several years later in another county or state.

Colonial Time Period

You may need to search the records of each place where your immigrant ancestor lived. He may have filed an application in one county or state and completed the requirements several years later in another county or state.

Records Before September 1906

Begin by looking for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. Look first for the petition (second papers) because they are usually easier to find in courts near where an immigrant settled. The petition usually tells where the declaration (first papers) was filed, which could have been almost anywhere in the United States. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many of these records. If the library does not have copies, contact the county clerk to determine which courts handled naturalizations and where the records are presently located. The records of the federal courts may still be in the custody of the court, at branches of the National Archives, or at the National Archives.

Records Since September 1906

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.
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.
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.

Strategy

Records at the Family History Library

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], [COUNTY] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP
[STATE], [COUNTY], [TOWN] - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP
The library has also acquired large collections of naturalization records from the National Archives branches in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.
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:
• 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.

Regional Archives and other Repositories

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 branches. Records at these branches are described in The Archives and Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline).
Naturalization records for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont from 1791 to 1906 have been gathered into the National Archives—New England Region and indexed in:
• United States. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Index to New England Naturalization Petitions, 1791-1906. Washington, DC: National Archives, 1983. (FHL films 1429671-787.)
[edit] Records Since September 1906 \

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS)

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.
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.
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.

Genealogy Program

The Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) has adopted a new 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). The following records can be requested:
Naturalization Certificate Files
Alien Registration Forms
Visa Files
Registry Files
Alien Files
Forms G-1041 and G-1041A will be used and can be mailed with a money order or cashier's check. A personal check will not be accepted. The mailing address is:
USCIS Genealogy Program
P.O. Box 805925
Chicago, Illinois 60680-4120
The fee schedule will be as follows:
Index Search--$20
Microfilm copies--$20
Paper copies--$35
Form G-639, the FOIA form will still be used for later searches.

Before Searching For Naturalization Records You Must Know...

Determining if you Ancestor Naturalized

Before you search for your ancestor’s naturalization records, you should have an idea of when they immigrated to the United States.

Evidence that an immigrant completed citizenship requirements can be found in censuses, court minutes, homestead records, 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

If you immigrant lived until after 1900, you should locate them on as many censuses as you can:

Census Records – 1900 to 1930

The 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 Censuses each ask the year an immigrant arrived to the United States. It also asks if the individual was naturalized or not. The codes for naturalization are as follows:
PA: this abbreviation means the individual began the naturalized process and has submitted a declaration of intention.
NA: this abbreviation means that the individual has completed the naturalization process and is a US Citizen. Both a declaration of intention and a petition should be located for the individual.
AL: this abbreviation means the immigrant had not yet naturalized or even begun the process. Not every immigrant naturalized.
NR: this abbreviation means the census taker did not report the citizenship information.

1920 Census

The 1920 Census also asks the year the individual naturalized.

It is also helpful to know if your ancestor naturalized. Documents found in your family’s possession may indicate if your ancestor naturalized.

Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship:

Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship indicates that your ancestor completed the process and was a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Passport:

If you ancestor had a United States passport, your ancestor completed the naturalization process and was a US Citizen.

TIPS for Success

Begin with online sources, there may be an index or records online for your ancestor. A good online web site to begin your search for naturalization records is Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes & Records. The indexes and records are listed by state. Some of the sites are fee and some are free.

Variant spelling
Search all spellings of the surname. Think about how the surname was pronounced, and how it sounded in your ancestor's probable accent. The surname may be spelled differently in earlier records that were closer to your ancestor's immigration date.

Limitations

Town of Origin
Most researchers hope to find the town of origin on naturalization records. This is most likely after 1906 when naturalization forms are standardized. Although the country of origin is usually listed on earlier naturalization records, the town is not normally given. However, because each court recorded different information prior to 1906, it is important to search naturalization records to see what was recorded.

Court Records
Prior to 1906, each court created their own naturalization forms. Each form was different, so information recorded on the form differed. You may find great information in one court, and the most basic (name, country, date) information in another court.

Do not use naturalization records to locate the immigrant’s parent’s names. You will not find them.

Exceptions

There are exceptions to naturalization records that one should keep in mind while searching these records. 

Women and Children

Immigrant children - even today - receive their citizenship from their parents.  Starting in 1790, children recieved derivative citizenship from their father (or mother in some cases).  Derivative citizenship is defined as getting one's citizenship from another person.  When the child's father became naturalized, his children under 16 (or 18, depending on the year) automatically became citizenship.  There was no paperwork that was created.  To prove his or her citizenship, the child would need his or her father's certificate of citizenship (or certificate of naturalization).  

In 1855, derivative citizenship was also available for immigrant women marrying US citizens or if their husbands gaiedn their citizenship during their marriage.  The wife's proof that she was a US citizen was her husband's certificate of citizenship (or certificate of naturalization) and her marriage certificate. 

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

Until 1906 immigrants under the age of 21 (whose parents did not naturalize) could be naturalized without filing a declaration of intent after they reached the age of 21 and had met the residency requirements. ??????????????????????

Military

To serve in the United States military, one did not need to be a United States citizen - even today.  In fact, the United States Government passed some naturalization laws to help encourage new immigrants to serve in the military in their new homeland.  These laws made becoming a naturalized citizen easier for the immigrant.  The following are the laws concerning service in the military:

Army--Beginning in 1862, the Declaration was waived, and the residency requirement was reduced to one year, for a soldier with an honorable discharge.
Navy & Marines--Beginning in 1894, with an honorable discharge, the Declaration was waived and the residency requirement was reduced to one year.
World War I--In 1918, during WWI, the residency requirement was waived and the Declaration was also waived. Soldiers are naturalized at military posts.

Collective Naturalization

In some instances, entire groups have been collectively granted U.S. citizenship. Collective naturalization is defined as a group of people all receiving their citizenship through an act of congress or treaty. In these cases you will not find individual naturalization papers.

In 1868, African-Americans made citizens by the Fourteenth Amendment of the Unites States Constitution.  In 1924, Native Americans made finally made citizens - although some chiefs of tribes became citizens before this date.  The Native Americans were not included in the Fouteeneth Amendment because they were considered a seperate nation.

Collective naturalization also occurred for residents of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Texas in 1845, and Hawaii in 1898.

Naturalization Laws

Important Naturalization Legislation included the following:

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-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.
1906–Created INS, fixed fees, made all forms uniform and required English language for naturalization.
1907–Women lost US Citizenship when they married an alien.
1922–Women no longer eligible for derivative citizenship.
1940–All aliens living in the United States were required to fill out an Alien Registration form and be fingerprinted at their local police station or post office within 30 days of arriving in the United States.
FamilySearch has a summation of some of the naturalization laws.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has a full discussion of all naturalization laws in PDF format.Portal: United States Naturalization

Naturalization Terms

• 1st Papers--Another name for Declaration of Intention.
• 2nd Papers--Another name for the Naturalization Petition.
• AL--An abreviation used in the 1900–1930 Census to indicate alien status; the immigrant has not yet begun the naturalization process.
• Alien Files or A-Files--1940 to 1956: INS files containing Alien Registration Forms. 1956 to present, A-Files replace the C-Files and become the main file at the INS.
• Alien Registration Form--Registration form required to be filled out by the alien at the local post office within 30 days of entering the US.
• BCIS--Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service, 2001-2004, formerly INS, now called USCIS.
• Census Abbreviations for census records 1900-1930:

               AL—Alien

               NA—Naturalized citizen

               PA–1st papers or declaration submitted

               NR—Not reported

• Certificate Files or C-Files--Duplicate copies of naturalization papers kept by the INS from 1906–1956.
• Certificate of Arrival--INS certificate stating an immigrant's port and date of arrival.
• Certificate of Citizenship: Another name for Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Naturalization--Final document given to the immigrant proving new citizenship. Also known as Certificate of Citizenship.
• Certificate of Registry--INS certificate confirming immigrant's entry to the US when the port and date cannot be verified.
• Collective Naturalization--Automatic naturalization of a group, i.e., Native Americans, 1924 and African-Americans in 1868, territories as they were acquired by Congress. No documentation will be found.
• Declaration of Intention--First naturalization papers filed in court renouncing allegiance to a former country. (after 1906 example)
• Denization--Colonial naturalization for land purposes with no political priviledges.
• Derivative Citzenship--Citizenship obtained by wife or children through the naturalization of a husband or father.
• Final Papers--Another name for the Naturalization Petition. (after 1906 example)
• Genealogy Program--
• INS--Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1906-2001, changed to BCIS, now called CIS.
• NA--An abreviation used in the 1900–1930 Census to indicate that the immigrant has been naturalized as a US citizen and completed the naturalization process.
• NR--An abreviation used in the 1900–1930 Census to indicate that naturalization status was not reported for the immigrant.
• Oath of Allegiance--Renouces allegiance to former country and pledges allegiance to the United States of America. (example)
• PA--An abreviation used in the 1900–1930 Census to indicate alien has submitted his first papers or declaration of intention and has not yet completed the naturalization process.
• Petition--Final papers filed in court to complete the naturalization process.
• Registry Files--1929–1944: Files created to confirm an alien's immigration information.
• CIS--Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly known as Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS)
• Visa--A foreign service form issued by an embassy or consul to allow an individual into a country.
• Visa Files--INS file containing visas and visa applications