Alaska, Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of Alaska naturalization records from the collections at theNational Archives at Seattle for the years 1884-1991. The records are part of Record 21 Records of the United States District Courts'

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.


 *  Related Collections National Archives - United States District Court 
 * Petitions for Naturalization Filed in Ketchikan, Alaska, 1960–1988 US District Court - Juneau Division
 * Petitions for Naturalization Filed in Kodiak, Alaska, 1931–1960 US Territorial Court - Third (Valdez) Division]
 * Petitions for Naturalization Filed in Seward, Alaska, 1911–1956 US Territorial Court - Third (Valdez) Division
 * Petitions for Naturalization Filed in McGrath, Alaska, 1928–1932 US Territorial Court - Fourth (Fairbanks) Division
 * Petitions for Naturalization Filed at Bethel, Alaska, 1927–1932 US Territorial Court - (Fairbanks) Division
 * Petitions for Naturalization Filed in Ruby, Alaska, 1926–1931 US Territorial Court - Fourth (Fairbanks) Division

Inventory
An inventory listing the films and digital folders included in this collection can be seen at Alaska Naturalization Records - Inventory.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know: If you do not know this information, check the 1900 or 1910 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.
 * The full name of your ancestor
 * The approximate residence and immigration date

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Look at the actual image of the record to verify the information found in the index and to find additional information.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information to find the ship manifest
 * Search for vital records such as marriage and death
 * Use the information found in the record to find land and probate records
 * Use the record to see if other family members may have immigrated with the person

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials
 * Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived. Then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts, then in state, county, or city courts. An individual may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved. Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process
 * Check other possible ports of entry

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Alaska.
 * Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
 * Alaska Guided Research
 * Alaska Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Alaska Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Newman, John J. American naturalization records, 1790-1990 : what they are and how to use them 2nd ed. Bountiful, Utah : Heritage Quest, c1998 FS Library 973 P47na


 * Szucs, Loretto Dennis ‘’They became Americans: finding naturalization records and ethnic origins’’ Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, c1998 FS Library 973 P47t
 * United States District Court
 * Declaration of intention, 1910-1929; naturalization records, 1910-1929; indexes to the naturalization records of the U. S. District Court for the District and Territory of Alaska, 1900-1929: M1241
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 1st Division. Alaska, naturalization and citizenship records, 1884-1991
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 2nd Division: Nome. Naturalization records, 1907-1934
 * Indexes to Naturalization Records of the U.S. District Court for the district, territory & state of Alaska (Third division), 1903-1991:M1788
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division: Fairbanks. Naturalization records, Sept. 1915-Dec. 1923 : NARA M1539
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division: Iditarod. Naturalization records, Oct. 1912-July 1915
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division: Juneau. Naturalization records, Oct. 1900-Sept. 1910
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division: Ruby. Naturalization records, Aug. 1919-May 1924
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division 4th division: Skagway. Naturalization records, Mar. 1901-Jan. 1917

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Alaska, registros de naturalización (Registros históricos de FamilySearch)