Ohio, Stark County Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

= Ohio Naturalization Records =

How To Use This Record
Use naturalization records to learn the immigrant’s place of origin, date of arrival, foreign and “Americanized” names. This information can help you find more records in his or her country of origin.

Why This Record Was Created
Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Counties in Ohio recorded naturalizations in their court records as legal proof of citizenship.

Record History
Naturalization as a U.S. citizen was a two part process resulting in: 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 prior to the Final Papers because of a five year residency requirement to become a citizen. No centralized files exist before 1906. In 1906 Federal forms replaced the variant formats used by the various courts before then. 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).

Record Description
The volumes are of various sizes and formats. Prior to 1906, each document was usually handwritten onto one page. From the later 1800s on, printed forms were used. After 1906, many document entries were typewritten.

Record Coverage
Though the first Naturalization Act was passed in 1802, Ohio records were generally kept from 1851 to the present.

The first Natural Act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who applied, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

Record Content
While there are various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually have the most complete genealogical content:


 * Name of immigrant
 * Country of birth
 * Arrival date
 * Date for Declaration of Intent or Naturalization date
 * Names of witness
 * Signature of judge or court official

In post-1906 records, you may also find:


 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Age of immigrant
 * Race of immigrant
 * Last foreign residence
 * Current residence
 * Arrival place
 * Marital status
 * Name of spouse
 * Maiden name of wife
 * Birth date of spouse
 * Residence of spouse

Record Reliability
Data current at the time of the naturalization process is quite reliable, though there is a chance of misinformation. Data errors may also occur because of the informant’s lack of knowledge, transcription errors, and other circumstances.