Series 85175

DESCRIPTION: To become a citizen of the United States, an individual normally filed a "declaration of intention to become a citizen" at least two years prior to applying for citizenship. The next step was the naturalization hearing at which the candidate and witnesses either made oral statements or filed written petitions and affidavits attesting to the applicant's character, worthiness to become a citizen, and the validity of statements made to the court. If the judge found the applicant eligible to become a citizen, an oath was administered and the individual renounced his former citizenship. At this point a certificate of citizenship was issued documenting the fact. These two volumes contain recorded copies of an individual's final admission to U.S. citizenship.

These forms record the applicant's compliance with the procedures. The applicant's name and current nationality were noted. The applicant was required to give evidence that he had declared his intention to become a citizen at least two years earlier. Two U.S. citizens attested that the applicant had resided in the United States at least five years, and in Utah territory at least one year. They also testified that the applicant was of good moral character and behaved in a manner supportive of the U.S. Constitution. The applicant was sworn to support the Constitution and renounce allegiance to his former nation and particularly, by name, to its ruler.

Both volumes have similarly worded forms. The first volume recorded individuals who had entered the United States as adults. The second volume includes forms for individuals who had entered the country as minors. These individuals were not required to have actually filed declarations of intention earlier.

At statehood in 1896, Beaver County, which had been the seat of the Second District Court, was assigned to the Fifth District Court. A few entries were mistakenly made in these volumes after that date. Those entries for the 5th District Court in and for Beaver County are crossed out and have been correctly entered in series 85177.

RELATED RECORDS: Declarations of intention for people whose certificates are in this series would most likely be found in series 85174, DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOKS of the Second District Court. DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOKS from the other district courts from this period might also contain declarations of some of these individuals: First District Court, series 85113, the Third District Court, series 85111, and the Fourth District Court 85169. In addition, the Supreme Court kept DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION AND CERTIFICATES OF CITIZENSHIP RECORD BOOKS, series 3942, which should be consulted as well.

Minutes of the district court may contain more details of the naturalization hearing. Records from the 2nd district court prior to 1874 have not been located. County probate courts also held concurrent jurisdiction in citizenship cases during this time and records of these courts could also be checked. At statehood in 1896, the district courts began keeping separate series of naturalization and declarations of intention in each county. For additional help consult the Research Guide to Naturalization records.

FINDING AIDS: Both volumes have name indices alphabetized by the first letter of the applicant's surname.

PROCESSING NOTE: The series was transferred to the Archives in 1989 and scheduled by Pat Scott. Archival processing by A.C. Cone was finished the same year.

CONTAINER LIST