United States, California, Certificates Surrendered at San Francisco from Aliens Previously at Honolulu, Hawaii - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains copies of INS Form 546,(22,000) Alien Certificate - Insular Territory. Before Hawaii's admission to statehood in 1959 any immigrants departing Hawaii for the mainland (whether citizens of Hawaii or those temporarily porting there) were required to be inspected and then given this certificate. Upon arriving at the mainland the alien had to surrender the certificate in order to be admitted. The forms are arranged chronologically. Images are originally housed at The National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives Microfilm Publication A3975. These records cover the years 1912-1946.


 * Rolls
 * 1 Apr. 11, 1912 – Jan. 16, 1921
 * 2 Jan. 16, 1921 – Feb. 26, 1946

What Can These Records Tell Me?

 * Name
 * Age
 * Country of Origin
 * Name of ship
 * Port of arrival
 * Date of arrival into Hawaii
 * Date leaving Hawaii
 * Place going to in California
 * Personal description
 * Remarks

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:


 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

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.

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

 * Use the record to learn the place of origin and find vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage
 * Use the information found in the record to find land and probate records
 * Use the record to see if other family members who may have immigrated
 * 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

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
 * Check other possible ports of entry

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of California.


 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * Tracing Immigrants Introduction
 * Tracing Immigrants Search Strategies
 * California Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

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.