District Court (Fifth District). Millard County Naturalization record books, 1896-1906.

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. These volumes contain documentation of the final steps of becoming a United States citizen.

The first volume contains only preprinted certificates of citizenship with blanks for insertion of the date, name, country of origin, current county of residence, and judge's signature admitting the individual to citizenship.

The next volumehas a more expanded form. The preprinted application forms consist of an applicant's affidavit and witness affidavits, as well as a certificate of citizenship. The applicant's affidavit gave his name, birthplace, date and place of declaration of intention, date of arrival to the United States, and sovereign. The affidavit included an oath of renunciation of allegiance to his former sovereign and a declaration that the applicant is not insane, epileptic, a pauper, beggar, contagious, a felon, guilty of moral turpitude, a polygamist, anarchist, or pimp. The affidavits of two witnesses confirmed the applicant's statements and declared his worthiness to become a citizen. A copy of a certificate of citizenship form was then completed reiterating this information and ordering his admittance as a citizen.

In 1906, a uniform federal naturalization law was enacted requiring that each court use pre-printed forms in volumes furnished by the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization of theDepartment of Commerce and Labor.