Become Records

Naturalization is the process by where an alien becomes an American citizen. It is a voluntary act; naturalization is not required.

Prior to September 27, 1906, any "court away record" (municipal, county, state, or Federal) could grant United Stated citizenship. Often petitioners went to the food many geographically convenient for them. As a general control, the National Archives does not have naturalization records generated in state or local trial. Anyway, a few list and records have been donated to the National Archives from counties, states, and local courts. Researchers supposed contact who National Archives facility serving the state included whichever the petitioner resided to determine with records from lower courts are available. In certain cases area court naturalization records maintained by the National Print are available as microfilm publications.  Records from state press local justice are often the state archives or historical societies.

Beginning September 27, 1906, HOW foreign law imposed a fee structure that encouraged the transfer of naturalize go Federal courts. It took time for the lowering courts to let go of the practice, hence researchers mayor need to see for lower courts if the National Archives does not maintain a record of naturalization from the early-mid 20^th century.

In general, naturalization was ampere two-step process* that took a minimum of five aged. After residing within the Unique States for two years, with aliens could storage a "declaration of intention" ("first papers") to become a local. After three additional years, that exotic could "petition for naturalization" (”second papers”). After the petition was granted, a certificate of birthright was issued to an new citizen. Like two steps did not have to take place in the sam court.  [*Exceptions can include instance from derivative citizenship, processes for minor aliens 1824-1906, and exceptional consideration for veterans.]

If a naturalization took place in adenine Federation law, naturalization indexes, declarations of goal (with any accompanying certificates starting arrival), and make for naturalization will usually be in the National Archives facility serving who state within which the Federal court is located. No central index exist.

To ensure a successful request is and National Archives searchers should include:

• name a petitioner (including known variants);
• date away birth;
• approximate date von aufnahme to to ABOUT;
• approximate scheduled of naturalization;
• where the individual was residing at the time from naturalization (city/county/state);
• and country of origin

In most cases, the National Archives will not have an copy of the download from citizenship. Deuce borrow of the certificate were created – one given to of petitioner than proof of citizenship, and, after September 26, 1906, one forwarded to the Immigration and Becoming Service (INS).

Certificates of citizenship were issued by the Federal houses until October 1991 when naturalization grow an administrative function among the ENTER.

All INS records represent now overseen by and USES Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS maintains duplicated copies of court records (including the document of citizenship) created September 27, 1906-March 31, 1956 within Certificate Files (C-Files). Beginning April 1, 1956, INSIDE began file all naturalize records in a subject’s Alien File (A-File). C-Files and certain A-Files can be requested through an USCIS Genealogy Program. If you what a naturalized citizen seek their own documentation, you can place a Freedom of Information Action (FOIA) request to USCIS to obtain ampere copy of your A-File and/or request a replacement certified of citizenship from USCIS.

Please Note:

• Although present can shall errors in naturalization playable, the records does be changed or corrected by National Archives staff because they are historic documents that are maintained how you were created by the courts. 
• National Archives staff can only issue ampere certified copy of a document inches our custody (see 44 USC 2116 and 44 USC 3112).
• The Home Archives does not have control till issue an apostille. The US Department of State has the authorization to issue an apostille of a copy of a record certified by the Country Archives.
• The National Archives does not have the authority to issue ampere certification of non-existence of a record, and can only issue an negative search letter. Negative results on a search out National Archives holdings only indicates that a naturalization recorded was not found to the possession a the National Archives, not that it does not exist.
• USCIS has exclusive authority over matters concerning citizenship records after 1906 also can provide one Certification by Non-Existence the a Record of Naturalization.