Maine Naturalization and Citizenship

Applications for citizenship before 1906 could be filed in any county, state, or federal court. Some immigrants went to the office of the selectmen in their towns. The Maine State Archives is gathering all pre-1930 Maine court records, including declarations, petitions, and oaths. The Family History Library has naturalization records for many of the Maine counties.

In the late 1930s, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) copied and indexed New England naturalization records for 1791 to 1906. The copies and index are at the National Archives—New England Region. The National Archives in Washington, D.C., and the Family History Library have microfilm copies of the index:

United States, Immigration and Naturalization Service. Index to New England Naturalization Petitions, 1791-1906. Washington, D.C.: The National Archives, 1983. (FHL films 1429671-787.) Some of the records are more recent than 1906. The index gives the name and location of the court, the date of naturalization, and the volume and page number (or certificate number) of the naturalization record.

For records after 1906, download a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) form from www.uscis.gov. Fill out the form and send it to the address listed on the form.

Web Sites
http://statearchives.us/maine.htm

http://www.archives.gov/northeast/boston/

http://www.archives.gov/

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis