Salt Lake County (Utah). Probate Court Declarations of intention and certificates of citizenship record book, i 1858-1872.

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. All the steps in this process are documented in this volume kept by the court clerk.

The first section of the book contains statements of individuals' intentions to become citizens of the United States. These "declarations of intention" have blanks for the insertion of the individual's name, his former sovereign, date, andsignatures of the individual and the court clerk witnessing the statement. Declarations of intention document the applicant's intention to later become a U.S. citizen and to renounce his current citizenship.

The certificates of citizenship which constitute the second half of the volume document aliens' applications for citizenship. They summarize the hearing and oaths. Each form gives the date, applicant's name, nationality, date of declaration of intention, names of those testifying, ruler's name, and a standardized summary of the procedures. The applicant swore that he had filed his intention to become a citizen. Two U.S. citizens testified that the applicant had resided in the territory for a year and in the United States for five years. They further swore that he was of good moral character and attached to the principles of the U.S. Constitution. The applicant then took an oath to support the U.S. Constitution and renounced allegiance to any foreign sovereign, and particularly tothe ruler whose subject he had been. The court clerk served as witness.

There are two sections of similarly worded certificates, one for those who had entered the United States after age 18, and one for those who had entered the United States while under age 18. If they met the residency and other requirements, the latter could apply for citizenship at age 21 without actually having filed a declaration of intention.