The Naturalization Process

In the United States, before 1952, the naturalization process began with a Declaration of Intent to become a citizen. This declaration is also referred to as "First Papers." Three years after this declaration was filed, and five years after arriving in the country, a Petition for Naturalization ("Second Papers") could be filed in the same or a different court. A Certificate of Citizenship could then be issued.

Until 1922, a foreign-born woman married to a naturalized citizen was automatically made a citizen. Until 1940, a child under the age of 21 was granted citizenship based on the status of his father. After 22 Sept 1922 an alien woman who married a US citizen could skip the Declaration of Intention and file for a Naturalization Petition. But if an alien woman married an alien man she would have to start her naturalization proceedings at the beginning with a Declaration of Intention.

Jill Cruse provided the images of indexes to original Declarations of Intent from 20 Dec 1855 to 2 Mar 1880. They were transcribed by Don Kelly (A-K) and edited and formatted by Richard Harrison. Original images are included when available. Volunteers are needed to transcribe the remaining documents.

Copies of Naturalization papers or Declaration of Intent can be obtained from the Des Moines County Genealogical Society, PO Box 493, Burlington, Iowa, 52601, for a modest fee, or from the Des Moines County Courthouse.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


SURNAME

GIVEN NAME

BIRTHPLACE

FILE DATE

NOTES
CALLAHAN J. Ireland 15 Aug 1857  
CALLAHAN John Ireland 31 Jul 1856  
CALLIHAN Michael Ireland 20 Dec 1870  
CAMPBELL Bryce Scotland 31 Jan 1862  
CAMPBELL Ebenezer England 6 Aug 1859  
CAMPBELL William Ireland 2 Mar 1878  
CAMPBELL William England 1 Aug 1856  
CANDY John Burge England 21 Apr 1871  
CARLE William Ireland 26 Jun 1856  
CARLSON A. N. Sweden 12 Oct 1868  
CARLSON Andrew Sweden 19 Feb 1867  
CARLSON August Sweden 19 Feb 1867  
CARLSON August Sweden 28 Feb 1870  
CARLSON August Sweden 17 Oct 1877  
CARLSON C. P. Sweden 31 Jul 1871  
CARLSON G. P. Sweden 6 Mar 1874  
CARLSON J. H. Sweden 11 May 1872  
CARLSON J. H. Sweden 5 Nov 1872  
CARLSON John H. Sweden 4 Feb 1867  
CARLSON John P. Sweden 11 Mar 1878  
CARLSSON G. F. Sweden 1 Jun 1874  
CARLSSON Gustof Jakob Sweden 17 Sep 1872  
CARLSTROM Gustaf Sweden 15 Sep 1870  
CARNEY William Ireland 1 Feb 1858  
CARROLL Jno. H. Canada 5 Nov 1879  
CARROLL Michael Ireland 31 Jul 1856  
CURRUN Thomas Ireland 11 Oct 1856  
CARSLOW Donley Ireland 30 Jul 1856  
CARSON John Ireland 7 Oct 1851  
CARTER Charles England 15 Jul 1856  
CASPER John Sweden 12 Mar 1873  
CAUSMAN August Hanover 7 Oct 1865  
CAVANAGH Thomas Ireland 5 Apr 1858  
CAYTON James Ireland 7 Apr 1859  
CELLER Wm. Nassau 23 Feb 1861  
CHAMBERS John P. Ireland 28 Jan 1858  
CHARLSSON Solomon Sweden 18 Oct 1876  
CHRESTONSON Nels Denmark 27 Feb 1874  
CHRIST John Switzerland 22 Mar 1858  
CHRIST John Switzerland 17 Apr 1858  
CHRIST Joseph Antoine Switzerland 21 Sep 1864  
CHRISTENSEN J. P. Denmark 6 Nov 1876  
CHRISTENSEN Loren Denmark 21 Feb 1880  
CHRISTIAN Henry Denmark 18 Oct 1876  
CHRYSTALL James Scotland 28 Nov 1876  
CLANSON Boi Denmark 23 Feb 1876  
CLASSON John Sweden 26 Feb 1868  
CLAYTON Alfred England 20 Mar 1878  
CLEMENTS George England 9 Oct 1876  
COCKRELL James England 25 Mar 1876  
CONNERS James Ireland 8 Oct 1859  
CONNERS John Ireland 13 Sep 1856  
CONRAD Wormendal Hesse–Darmstadt 1 Feb 1858  
CONSEDINE James Ireland 4 Oct 1856  
COOK Adam Bavaria 3 Nov 1856  
COOK Johan Friederich Germany 21 Oct 1856  
COONS Conrad Switzerland 6 Apr 1857  
COOP Andrew Switzerland 31 Dec 1867  
CORCORAN John Ireland 7 Oct 1868  
CORNELL Patrick Ireland 2 Aug 1856  
CORROLSON Andrew Sweden 1 Oct 1859  
CORTEN Peter C. Denmark 3 Mar 1869  
COSTELLO John Ireland 1 Feb 1869  
COTTLE Thos. Ireland 12 Dec 1856  
COX Paul Ireland 25 Nov 1857  
CRAWFORD Archibald Ireland 6 Aug 1859  
CRAWFORD Daniel Ireland 24 Sep 1862  
CREELMAN Robert Ireland 18 Oct 1878  
CRIBB James England 28 Aug 1856  
CRONE Joseph England 22 Jan 1862  
CROPLEY John England 1 Oct 1866  
CURRIN Patrick Ireland 1 Feb 1858  

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