Skip to main content

Naturalization Papers

2013 Bicentennial Celebration

 

Sample naturalization paper

NATURALIZATION PAPER (Oath) - SAMUEL SUMMERVILLE
filed January 19, 1814

Record Series:  NATURALIZATION PAPERS

Dates:  1813 - 1906

Location: Warren County Records Storage & Archives.

Format:  Handwritten and preprinted, legal documents of varying sizes.

Arranged: Chronological by Year / then Alpha by Surname

Volume:  4 cubic ft

Department: County Clerk

Legal Restrictions: None

Use Restrictions: Staff will access all records and must approve all requests for copies.

Historical Background:

The process of conferring citizenship, authorized under federal statute in 1790 and 1802, was among the earliest responsibilities of the our court system.  In New York State, courts of records included Common Pleas and the Supreme and County Courts.  Beginning with the establishment of Warren County in 1813 and continuing through 1955, aliens appeared before the court presenting Declarations of Intent as well as Final Papers i.e. Petitions, Witness Affidavits, and Oaths of Allegiance.

Description of Record Series:

A collection of handwritten and preprinted, legal documents of varying sizes, alphabetically arranged and refoldered into acid-free enclosures, being both declarations as well as final petitions. Information contained within ranges from descriptive to generic.  Early 19th century applications are most often handwritten, in letter format, and detailed with date and place of birth, date and place of departure and arrival, as well as residential, family history, and court and filing information,  while declarations and final papers processed from the mid-1800's to 1906 provide limited information i.e.  names, residence, former citizenship, court, witness certification, oath, dates of filing.  Usually one sided, with filing information and petitioner's name appearing on reverse side.  OCA #
21020.

Purpose of Record:

Defined as being the records of application presented by an alien to a court of record renouncing allegiance to a foreign power and requesting admission as a citizen of the United States with all the rights, duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

Other Formats: Portions of the series (c. 1856-1906) transcribed into Minutes of the Courts of Common Pleas, Supreme  or  County Court  as well as the Naturalization Register.

Finding Aids:  Series has been indexed 1813-1906 by surname w/ filing dates; approximately 3048
entries.  Series locations contained on inventory database.

Related Series: Naturalization Register;  Naturalization: Index;  Naturalization: Declarations of Intention;Naturalization: Petitions; Naturalization:  Certificate Receipts, Miscellaneous Record Books. Minutes of Common Pleas.

INDEX        SAMPLE