Series 26628
District Court (Fifth District : Beaver County) Certificates of citizenship record books

Dates: 1896-1900.

1.00 cubic foot and 1 microfilm reelSkip to Containers

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Scope and Content

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. The certificates in this series summarize the hearing and oaths.

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.

Arrangement

Chronological by date of entry.

Related Records

Citizenship certificate stubs from the District Court (Fifth District : Beaver County), Series 24079, contains the preprinted stubs that were filled out when a certificate of citizenship was issued to an applicant.

Declarations of intention record books from the District Court (Fifth District : Beaver County), Series 85176, contains recorded copies of the declarations of individuals' intentions to later become United States citizens and to renounce current citizenship.

Naturalization record books from the District Court (Fifth District : Beaver County), Series 85177, contains standardized certificates of citizenship and any other supporting records generated as part of the naturalization process.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Processing Note

This series was archivally processed by Jim Kichas and Emily Gurr in April 2008 as part of a NHPRC grant project designed to preserve the historic records of Utah's Fifth District Courts.

Indexing Terms

Container List

REEL VOLUME DESCRIPTION
1 3 1896 - 1900
1 4 1896 - 1900

Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.