Delaware, U.S. District and Circuit Court Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes naturalization records such as Petitions for Naturalization, Declarations of Intention, Oaths of Allegiance, and Military Petitions filed in the United States District and Circuit Courts of Delaware from 1817 to 1936. Images are originally housed at The National Archives and Records Administration Philadelphia Branch. This collection is associated with NARA microfilm publication M1644 and
 * NAID numbers
 * 26457725, Military Petitions for Naturalization, June 18, 1918–January 27, 1919
 * 567323, Petitions for Naturalization, 1802–September 30, 1991
 * 573393, Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1817–1990
 * 580014, Petitions for Naturalization, 1828–1902

While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Delaware’s counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship. The courts handling naturalizations changed several times so the card index was created as a way to quickly access specific records.

The index is very accurate and the information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

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

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: 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 before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. 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).

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: Petition • 2 Declarations of Intent and Naturalization Petitions • 2

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
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
he following articles will help you research your family in the state of Delaware.
 * Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
 * Delaware Guided Research
 * Delaware Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Delaware Research, 1880-Present

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * John J Newman, American Naturalization Records;1790-1990: what they are and how to use them. Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1998. FS Library 973 P47na
 * Loretto Dennis Szucs, They became Americans: finding naturalization records and ethnic origins. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, c1998 FS Library 973 P47t
 * Naturalization petitions of the U.S. District and Circuit Courts for the District of Delaware, 1795-1930 ; index to naturalization petitions for the U.S. Circuit Court, 1795-1911, and District Court, 1795-1928, for the District of Delaware : NARA RG21 publications M1644 and M1649

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.