NATURALIZATION RECORDS IN THE OREGON STATE ARCHIVES Naturalization records in Oregon are found in the court records of the county where the documents were filed. These records are either found at the Oregon State Archives or with the County Clerk or Trial Court Administrator for that county. Naturalization information may also be found in County Court Journals, County Court Case Files, Circuit Court Journals, Circuit Court Case Files, Probate Records and the Miscellaneous Records. However, extensive research may be necessary in order to locate naturalization records interfiled within these record series. Following is information regarding common series of naturalization records, a list of naturalization records in the Oregon State Archives, information regarding naturalization records maintained by the federal courts and Immigration and Naturalization Service, and useful resources for naturalization research. Common Series of Naturalization Records Certificate of Arrival: No alien who arrived in the United States after 29 June 1906, could make a valid Declaration of Intention until it was established that his entry was lawful and that he was admitted for permanent residence. If the alien established that his entry was lawful, then a Certificate of Arrival was issued. This Certificate showed the date, place and manner of the aliensU arrival. Any alien that established that he entered the United States on or before 29 June 1906, could file a Declaration of Intention without the issuance of a Certificate of Arrival. In Oregon, this certificate is part of the Declaration of Intention. Declaration of Intention: Any person 18 years of age or over who was lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence could file a Declaration of Intention in the office of any clerk of court having charge of naturalization. No period of residence in the United States was required before filing a Declaration of Intention. This form was initially issued by the United States Department of Commerce; and after 1926, it was issued by the United States Department of Labor. Its form number was #2202. The form was also used for and titled Certificate of Arrival. It carries the following information: name, age, occupation, color, complexion, height, weight, color of hair, color of eyes, distinctive marks, place and date of birth, current residence, port of departure and vessel, last foreign residence, port and date of arrival in the United States, date of declaration. Petition for Naturalization (Petition for Citizenship): When the Declaration of Intention was at least two years old and not more than seven years old, and the applicant had lived in the United States, its Territory, or the District of Columbia for five years continuously, with the previous six months in a particular state, then the alien could file a Petition for Naturalization. A hearing was then held to determine if all documents were in order, and if educational and other requirements had been met. Two witnesses were required to support the petition. The witnesses had to be United States citizens over 21 years of age. They had to testify as to the applicantUs good moral character for the past sixth month period. In addition, witnesses were required to support the fact that the applicant had been a United States resident for the preceding five years. Before 1938, this form was titled RPetition for Citizenship.S After 1938, this form was entitled RPetition for Naturalization.S The documents usually contain the following information: name, residence, occupation, date & place of birth, date and port of departure, name of transport, date and port of arrival, date and place of declaration of intent, affidavits of witnesses. After about 1915, this record also included name, date & place of birth, and residence of wife and minor children. Oath of Allegiance: If the Court was satisfied that all requirements of the law had been satisfied, then the alien could take the Oath of Allegiance. This required the applicant to swear to defend the United States and be loyal. The alien had to give up all allegiance to his former country and to also give up any titles of nobility. Record of Naturalization (Certificate of Citizenship): This record was created during the years ca. 1867-1941. It contained the following information: name, date, term of court, name of naturalized aliens, and their former nationality. Certificate of Naturalization (Stubs): This type of record appears to have been created during the period ca. 1907-1929. The series contained the following information: name, age, record of declaration of intent, record of petition, name of wife and minor children. Petition and Record (of Citizenship or Naturalization): This series title contains a combination of the Petition for Naturalization (Form 2204), the Declaration of Intention (Form 2203), and usually a copy of the Certificate of Arrival. Naturalization Records in the Oregon State Archives Benton County Citizen Certificates, 1903-1906 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1889-1928 Naturalization Petitions & Records, 1908-1929 Clackamas County Naturalization Certificates, 1891-1926 Naturalization Citizenship Application Record, 1905-1906 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1850-1931 Naturalization Petitions, 1905-1929 Curry County Naturalization Certificates, 1903-1928 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1904-1929 Naturalization Petitions and Records, 1896-1929 Jackson County Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1854-1975 Naturalization Deposition Notices, 1946-1972 Naturalization Index, 1886-1981 Naturalization Petition Court Orders, 1942-1982 Naturalization Petitions and Records, 1906-1981 Naturalization Records, 1903-1906 Naturalization Transferred Petitions, 1958-1971 Josephine County Naturalization Certificates, 1907-1936 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1855-1966 Naturalization Index, 1860-1970 Naturalization Orders, 1942-1970 Naturalization Petitions, 1903-1969 Linn County Naturalization Certificates, 1891-1956 Naturalization Correspondence, 1917-1939 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1855-1952 Naturalization Deposition Notices, 1930-1942 Naturalization List, 1854-1929 Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1956 Naturalization Records, 1923 Women's Naturalization Applications, 1941-1953 Marion County Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1849-1972 Naturalization Petitions and Records, 1851-1975 Naturalization Repatriation Records, 1937-1956 Polk County Naturalization Certification Records, 1903-1925 Naturalization Certification Records Index, 1872-1906 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1889-1939 Naturalization Petitions and Records, 1906-1928 Tillamook County Naturalization Certificates, 1907-1927 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1890-1954 Naturalization Declarations of Intention Docket, 1888-1892 Naturalization Index Cards, ca. 1871-1954 Naturalization Notices to Take Depositions, 1935-1940 Naturalization Petitions, 1923-1954 Naturalization Petitions Granted, 1930-1954 Umatilla County Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1906-1914 Wasco County Naturalization Certificate Stubs, 1885-1926 Naturalzation Certification Records, 1894-1903 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1856-1958 Naturalization Docket, 1916-1930 Naturalization Index, 1854-1939 Naturalization Oaths of Allegiance, 1863-1865 Naturalization Petitions and Records, 1906-1962 Naturalization Register, 1906-1910 Yamhill County Naturalization Certificate Cards, 1853-1959 Naturalization Certificates, 1907-1927 Naturalization Declarations of Intention, 1853-1956 Naturalization Index, 1853-1951 Naturalization Petitions, 1903-1959 Federal Records The National Archives-Pacific Northwest Region, 6125 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, tel. 206-526-6507, has naturalization records as follows: U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Oregon Court Journals of proceedings, 1859-1877 Declarations of intention, 1859-1906 Indexes to declarations and petitions, 1906-1956 Journals of admission to citizenship, 1877-1906 Petitions, 1904-1970 Unindexed petitions based on military service, 1868-1879 U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon Court Journals of proceedings, 1863-1877 Declarations of intention, 1897-1911 Indexes to declarations and petitions, 1906-1911 Journals of admission to citizenship, 1877-1906 Petitions, 1904-1911 The indexes to naturalization records for both of these Oregon courts are on microfilm and available in the Oregon State Archives Reference Room. Refer to Oregon Federal Court Naturalization Records General Indexes (National Archives film M1242). Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), 425 'I' Street NW, Room 5114, Washington DC 20536, has duplicate naturalization forms from the court of filing, starting in 1906. INS also maintains a name index to these records. Published Resources American Passenger Arrival Records, by Michael Tepper, published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1988 Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., 1985 How to find Oregon Naturalization Records, by Connie Lenzen, 1991 The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches, by Loretto Dennis Szucs & Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, published by Ancestry Publishing Company, 1988 The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy by Arlene Eakle & Johni Cerny, published by Ancestry Publishing Company, 1984 Revised 09/28/94 Dan Cantrall, Oregon State Archives (daniel.e.cantrall@state.or.us)