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Naturalization Records
Introduction and Links to Resources
Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes an American citizen. These records can provide a researcher with information such as a person's birth date and location, occupation, immigration year, marital status and spouse information, witnesses' names and addresses, and more.
What is Online here?
On this web site you can find more details on naturalization records and the process. Also, you can do a search to see what naturalization microfilm is available from us and at which facility nationwide.
To search this catalog online:
- From the main Microfilm Catalog page, click Advanced Search (next to the Search button)
- In the righthand column, under Subject Terms, type in Naturalization
- Hit "Search"
Once you find the microfilm that you think will be helpful, you can then come research in person, hire an independent researcher, or purchase it.
We do not have naturalization records available online (with the exception of a few examples in ARC).
Where can I find Naturalization Records?
Pre-1906:
Prior to 1906, any "court of record" (municipal, county, state, or Federal) could
grant U.S. citizenship.
As a general rule, the National Archives does not have naturalization records
created in State or local courts. However, a few indexes and records
have been donated to the
National Archives from counties, states and local courts and are available as
National Archives microfilm publications.
See the list of this county and state microfilm available.
For pre-1906 naturalizations:
- Contact the State Archives for the state where the naturalization occurred to request a search of state, county, and local courts records.
- Contact the NARA regional facility that serves the state where naturalization occurred to request a search of Federal court records
Naturalizations After 1906:
After 1906, the courts forwarded copies of naturalizations to the Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS).
- Naturalizations from Federal Courts are held in the NARA's regional facilities for the Federal courts for their area.
-
The National Archives in Washington, D.C. holds naturalization records
for Federal Courts in Washington, D.C.
Links to Resources
For a General Overview and More Information
- See Naturalization Records
- Women and Naturalization, ca. 1802-1940, an
article in Prologue
- "A Gold Mine of Naturalization Records in New England", by Walter V. Hickey
- Federal Naturalization
Records at NARA's Central Plains Region (Kansas City, MO), includes
Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Dakota Territory, and South Dakota.
-
Name Index to Naturalization Records from Dakota Territory and South Dakota
-
Name Index to St. Paul, Minnesota, Naturalization Records (1859-1916), U.S. District and U.S. Circuit Courts, District of Minnesota
-
Name Index to North Dakota Naturalization Records , U.S. District and U.S. Circuit Courts, District of North Dakota
-
Name index to naturalization records, including declarations and
petitions, U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska, McCook Division
- Name index to naturalization records, including declarations and petitions,
U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska, Chadron Division
- Name index to naturalizations, 1846 - 1890, U.S. Circuit and U.S. District Courts,
Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division (St. Louis)
- Naturalization Records
of the U.S. District Courts (RG 21) at NARA's Great Lakes Region (Chicago), includes Illinois,
Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin
- Naturalization Records
available at NARA's Pacific Region (Riverside, CA), includes Arizona, California, and
Nevada
- Naturalization Records
available at NARA's Northeast Region (New York City, NY), includes New York, New Jersey, and
Puerto Rico
- See the Naturalization Records of Maria von
Trapp
- Search Selected Naturalization Records Online in ARC (Note: Very few are available online here.)
Immigration Records
Alien Records
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