Historic Naturalization Record Search Request

For this research service, Library Staff will search for one individual per request, and will look for both First and Final Papers.

Price: $10.00
Digital delivery via email and scanning fees are included in the price
MNHS Members receive 10% discount at checkout

Turnaround: Research is usually completed and sent within 60 business days.

About This Research Service:

The Minnesota Historical Society cannot issue certified copies of any naturalization records from our collections. However, we can stamp each page of a physical copy, demonstrating that your copy came from the Minnesota State Archives collections. Stamped copies have been accepted for various U.S. and international purposes in the past. If you need this done, make a note in the "additional information" box that you need each page stamped on the reverse. If we have any questions, staff will contact you.

Minors were very rarely individually naturalized; they took their citizenship from their parents. Also, most women were not naturalized in their own right until 1922. Prior to that year, a woman was considered to be naturalized if her husband received his citizenship.

MNHS holds naturalization records from all 87 Minnesota District (County) Courts and the Minnesota Supreme Court. For most counties, these records date from the 1850s through the 1940s. The usual process had two parts: a Declaration of Intent (First Papers) and a Petition for Naturalization (Final Papers).

Most people filed their naturalization paperwork in their county of residence, but if you know or suspect that the immigrant would have traveled elsewhere to file, please provide that information in the Order Comments box.

After the county courts stopped granting citizenship in the 1970s, all naturalizations went through the federal courts. MNHS does not have federal records. Historic records filed with federal courts in Minnesota are held by the National Archives regional offices in Chicago and Kansas City.

Modern citizenship records are held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, a part of the Department of Homeland Security. If you need an official copy of your own records, please request a copy through their office.

• Immigration and Naturalization Research Guide