Records of naturalization proceedings in federal courts are usually among the records of the district court for the district in which the proceedings took place. A federal naturalization record usually consists of a declaration of intention, petitions, depositions, and a record of naturalization. Declarations of intention are instruments by which applicant for U.S. citizenship renounced allegiance to foreign sovereignties and declared their intention to become U.S. citizens. Early declarations of intention usually show for each applicant name, country of birth or port or allegiance, date of the application, and signature. Some show date and port of arrival in the United States. After 1906, a longer and more detailed form was used, including such information as applicant's name, age, occupation, and personal description; date and place of birth; citizenship; present address and last foreign address; vessel and port of embarkation for the United States; U.S. port and date of arrival in the United States; and date of application and signature. A declaration of intention normally preceded proof of residence or a petition to become a citizen by two or more years, but the declaration was sometimes not required if the citizen had an honorable discharge from certain military service or had entered the country when a minor. The petition and record usually include the petition for naturalization, affidavits of the petitioner and witnesses, the oath of allegiance, and the order of the court admitting the petitioner to citizenship.
From the description of United States District Court naturalization records, 1790-1989. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 174142572
