Immigration, emigration, and naturalization records are important genealogical sources because they can help locate the point of origin for an ancestor. They may also reveal other important information, such as citizenship status, family members, and dates for life events. There are several types of records immigration, emigration, and naturalization available for genealogists.
Passenger Lists: Passenger lists are lists of passenger names that were involved in a ship’s voyage to another country. These lists pinpoint the country of departure, point of arrival, and voyage dates. Depending on the time period when an ancestor sailed, a passenger list may list other valuable information, such as point of origin, physical description, birth date, and relatives who the passenger is joining.
Alien Registration Forms: For security measurements, alien registration forms were required for anyone who was not a US citizen, but residing in the United States, following the start of World War I. This registration occurred between November 1917 and April 1918. A second alien registration took place during World War II, between August 1, 1940 and March 31, 1944.
Many of the WWI alien registration forms are no longer existent, but those that are can be found online or with genealogical societies. World War II alien registration forms can be obtained via a Genealogy Immigration Records Request through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Naturalization Records: Naturalization records include declarations of intentions, certificates of arrival, naturalization petitions, and certificates of naturalization.
Declaration of Intention: Declarations if intention (also called first papers) are documents in which immigrants declared their intent to become US citizens. These records will list the immigrant’s name and country of origin. This form was required until 1952. Immigrants are still able to file this document, but it is no longer a requirement.
Certificates of arrival: Certificates of arrival list the port name, date and ship of arrival.
Naturalization Petitions: Naturalization petitions are the formal applications filed my immigrants to become citizens of the United States. Children who were born in another country could become citizens when their father was naturalized.
Certificates of Naturalization: Certificates of naturalization (also called oaths of allegiance) are documents that grant United States citizenship to immigrants.
Where to Find Naturalization Records: Naturalization records can be accessed via request through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or on microfilm through the Family History Library. You may not be able to locate every type of naturalization record.