Naturalization Resources

Abrams Collection Genealogy Highlights
May/June 2002
Volume 4, Number 3

Naturalization records are a primary source for documenting your ancestors' citizenship status and the date they arrived in the United States. The process for naturalization involves several steps: the declaration of intention, also known as "first papers," petition, oath of allegiance and certificate of naturalization, also known as "final papers." You should request copies of all documents when asking for naturalization records to see all the information provided during the process.

It is best if you know the year of immigration before starting your research. The 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 federal census will provide the year of immigration to the United States. Pre-1906 naturalization records were not standardized. The information recorded was what the court of record required. Records for each step in the naturalization process could be located in a different court. After 1906, a standard form was used and the records had to be indexed by the local courts.

Records indicating when individuals immigrated may be located at the National Archives and Records Administration, the Archives of Michigan, any court of record or from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. In addition to county circuit courts, naturalization papers also could be filed with the federal district courts in Michigan, www.uscourts.gov/allinks.html. Unless of recent origin, these records can be found at the Great Lakes Regional Branch of the National Archives, 7358 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60629; telephone (312) 581-7816. At this repository one can find the following Michigan materials:

Eastern District
Detroit
Indexes: 1837-1906
Declarations of Intention: 1837-1964
Petitions: 1837-1959

Grand Rapids
Indexes: 1907-1930
Declarations of Intention: 1907-1927
Petitions: 1907-1930

Western District
Marquette
Indexes: 1887-1915
Declarations of Intention: 1887-1909
Petitions: 1888-1915

Recent records not found in the Great Lakes Regional Branch of the National Archives may be found at the following U.S. District Courts:

Eastern District of Michigan

200 E. Liberty
Room 120
Post Office Box 8199
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
(313) 741-2280

231 W. LaFayette St.
Fifth Floor
Detroit, MI 48226-2797
(313) 234-5005

526 Water St.
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810) 984-2055

1000 Washington Ave.
Room 120
PO Box 913
Bay City, MI 48707
(517) 894-8800

140 Federal Building
600 Church St.
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 766-502

Western District of Michigan

452 Federal Building
110 Michigan St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-2381

113 Federal Building
315 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48933
(517) 377-1559

B-35 Federal Building
410 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(616) 349-2922

PO Box 698
229 Federal Building
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 226-2021

The Library of Michigan has a number of resources that relate to research on naturalization. Titles may be located by searching ANSWER, the Library's online catalog. Clicking on the links in this publication will take you to the ANSWER catalog search results or the catalog record for a particular item. When searching ANSWER, use the following keywords to make your search more productive:

• naturalization or natural* and michigan or any other geographical location
• citizenship or citizen* and michigan or any other geographical location
• declarations and intent
• naturalization records

The asterisk * will truncate your search.

The Library of Michigan has many indexes for counties in Michigan on paper and microfilm formats. To locate the records on ANSWER, search the catalog by subject using the terms naturalization records Michigan. Indexes for the following counties can be found within the Library's holdings:

Naturalization Indexes at the Library of Michigan:

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Printed and Microfilmed Resources

These guides will give you background information on the naturalization process in the United States.

Newman, John J. American Naturalization Records, 1790-1990: What They Are and How to Use Them. 2nd ed. Bountiful, UT: Heritage Quest, 1998.
Genealogy KF 4710 .N39 1998

Schaefer, Christina K. Guide to Naturalization Records of the United States. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1997.
Genealogy CS 49 .S28 1997

Szucs, Loretto Dennis. They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1998.
Genealogy CS 47 .S96 1998

---. The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1988.
Genealogy CD 3023 .S9 1988

Index to New England Naturalization Petitions, 1791-1906. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, General Services Administration, 1983.
Genealogy Microfilm F 4 .I53 1983

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Internet Resources

Archives of Michigan Naturalization Circular
www.michigan.gov/documents/mhc_sa_circular10_49699_7.pdf
Describes original records held by the Archives of Michigan. Lists counties alphabetically and the time period the records cover.

Michigan Naturalization Record Indexes
www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-54574_18635_20684---,00.html
Online indexes to naturalization records for Michigan counties at the Archives of Michigan. Ongoing project.

National Archives Naturalization Records
http://www.archives.gov/research/naturalization/index.html
National Archives finding aid to naturalization records in the Great Lakes Regional Branch in Chicago.

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Updated 08/01/2011