Arkansas Naturalization and Citizenship

Naturalization records were generally filed in the circuit courts in each county. About 40 percent of the counties in Arkansas have pre-1907 records. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the records for some of these counties. For residents of Little Rock (Pulaski County), for example, the library has declarations of intention and some final certificates, 1870 to 1918.

Some naturalization papers were filed in the U.S. District Courts located in Fort Smith, Arkansas; Little Rock, Arkansas ; and Fort Worth, Texas.

A statewide index to naturalization records of Arkansas was compiled by the Works Projects Administration for the years 1809-1906 (FHL film 1730849). Copies of this index are at the National Archives—Southwest Region (Fort Worth), the Arkansas History Commission, and the U.S. District Court in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as well as the Family History Library. For naturalization records after September 1906, contact the National Archives—Southwest Region (Fort Worth)or the local United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS).