Naturalization
by Brenda Kellow
December 7, 2008
Did you know that some people do not have to apply for naturalization, but become a citizen through a resolution by Congress? Residents of Louisiana in 1803, Florida in 1919—including Mississippi and Alabama, and Alaska in 1867 became citizens when their respective territories were annexed into the United States. When Texas was annexed in 1845, Arizona in 1848, and Hawaii in 1900, the residents living within this area automatically became naturalized citizens. African Americans were granted citizenship in 1868 when the Fourteenth Amendment was enacted. Two other ethnic groups given blanket citizenship were the American Indians in 1924 and the Chinese immigrants in 1943.
Many immigrants into this country soon begin the process to become citizens by applying for naturalization, a procedure that takes patience and time. It is not as simple as applying for a driving license. This process requires many steps; therefore, the family historian has more than one opportunity to obtain information on the immigrant. The first papers, also called declaration of intention, begins the process before it progresses to the petition, the oath of allegiance, and the certificate of naturalization—or final papers. The customary length of time to complete this process may take as long as three years, but in some cases seven. What makes finding records on the entire course of action is that these documents do not have to be completed in one court or even within one state. Furthermore, copies of these may be found in court files, land claims, passport applications, etc. Some are in federal courts, others in state archives or within local government. If you suspect your ancestor filed papers in a certain state or court you may write the Clerk of the Court in the county or counties where your ancestor lived.
Most, but not all naturalizations that occurred between 1906 and 1991 were recorded in the federal District and Circuit Courts. To find a time and place of arrival look in the federal censuses from 1900 through 1930. You may also find the person’s name in indexes, therefore finding the date, name of the court, volume, page, docket, case or certificate number.
The Internet can also be helpful. Search Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes and Records at http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/naturalization.html for online state and county indexes. Also search subscription sites such as Footnote.com and Ancestry.com.
In the declaration of intention, you may expect to find the person’s name, residence, occupation, nationality, birth date and place, country from which the person emigrated, and other personal information that is the dream of every researcher. The naturalization deposition, petition for naturalization, the certificate of naturalization and oath of allegiance contain an equal amount of data that may not be found in any other document.
If you continue to find negative results, then you can request naturalization records through the Genealogy Program at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It costs $20. You can download the search form at www.uscis.gov/files/article/G-1041%205-06-08.pdf.
The few papers I have found were worth the hunt, but finding immigration records on my husband’s family has never been easy.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunions announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].