Puerto Rico, Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Puerto Rico

What is in This Collection?
This is a collection of US Naturalization Records from Puerto Rico, held at the NARA regional office in New York City. Records for this collection go from 1900-1981, however there are no records between September 6, 1906 and April 2, 1917. NARA NAID is 2843635

National Archives Catalog - U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico 
 * Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, August 27, 1900–July 18, 1969
 * Lists and Court Orders for Naturalization Proceedings, July 29, 1929–January 10, 1973
 * Petitions for Naturalization Transferred from Other Courts, March 5, 1953–October 21, 1971
 * Declarations of Allegiance, January 4, 1939–December 9, 1940
 * Petitions for Naturalization, November 7, 1901–January 29, 1981
 * Military Petitions for Naturalization, March 8, 1944–November 9, 1955

 Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
 * Passenger Lists of Vessels Departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 2, 1917–June 30, 1948
 * Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 7, 1901–June 30, 1948

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Oath of Allegiance
 * Country they were citizen of
 * Signature of petitioner
 * Date of oath
 * Clerk name
 * Petition Number and Certificate Number

Birth Certificate Information
 * Date and time of birth
 * Place of birth
 * Name
 * Sex
 * Parents name
 * Occupation of parents
 * Grandparents name
 * Witness of event, also address, other info.
 * Where original may be found

Declaration of Intent
 * Name
 * Residence
 * Occupation
 * Age
 * Physical description
 * Race
 * Nationality
 * Birthplace and date
 * Spouse name, birth and entry info.
 * Marriage info.
 * Children
 * Picture of person
 * Signature of person

Petition for Naturalization
 * Name
 * Residence
 * Occupation
 * Race
 * Nationality
 * Country renouncing
 * Birthplace and date
 * Spouse name, birth and entry info.
 * Marriage info.
 * Children and births
 * Signature of person
 * Witnesses name, occupation, residence
 * Date of document

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?

 * 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
 * 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 Puerto Rico.
 * Puerto Rico Finding Records
 * Puerto Rico Research Tips and Strategies

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Puerto Rico. Departamento de Estado. Declaraciones de naturalización, 1899-1900
 * Gobierno Político Superior. Pasaportes, 1795-1889
 * U.S. District Court. Puerto Rico, naturalization records, 1897-1985
 * Extranjeros (Foreigners in Puerto Rico), ca 1807-1880

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.