Rhode Island Naturalization and Citizenship

Naturalization records have been filed in the town, county, and district courts. Papers filed since 1729 are often found in the records of the superior courts of judicature and courts of common pleas in Rhode Island. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of some files, including declarations from Newport County (1888 to 1905) and Washington County (1881 to 1900).

New England naturalization records for 1791 to 1906 were copied and indexed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the late 1930s. 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. 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 (FHL films 1429709-16).

The National Archives—New England Region also has records of the:


 * U.S. District Court (1842-44, 1888-1945)
 * U.S. Circuit Court (1846-84, 1893-1906)

If you need naturalization records after September 1906, contact the National Archives—New England Region or a federal office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS).

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

http://www.archives.gov/

www.familysearch.org