Declaration of Intent

The naturalization process required that the applicant first fill out a "Declaration of Intention" to become a citizen. This record usually contains the most information, and can be the most trouble to locate in the nineteenth century. In addition to identifying the court receiving the Declaration, as well as the applicant by age and physical description, this record includes the following information:
  • Date and place of birth
  • Current residence
  • Port of departure and name of vessel
  • Last foreign residence
  • Previous country of allegiance
  • Date and port of arrival

After 1929, the following additional information was required:

  • Marriage date and place
  • Spouse's name
  • Spouse's birth date and place
  • Names of children, with birth date and place and current residence

View an example of the form used from 1906 to 1913 on the next page.

IMAGE OF DECLARATION OF INTENT FORM


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