From the first naturalization law passed by Congress in 1790 through much of the 20th century, a noncitizen could become naturalized in any court of record. Most people went to the court most convenient to them, usually a county probate court, but they might also have appeared before a common pleas court.
In 1906, the Federal Government required a copy of the court records concerning the process of becoming a naturalized citizen to be forwarded to the US Naturalization Service. After 1917, naturalizations become more likely to be handled by Federal United States District Courts.
As a general rule, naturalization was a two-step process that took a minimum of 5 years. The first step in the naturalization process was to file a Declaration of Intention that the immigrant wishes to become a citizen of the United States. Declarations of Intention are sometimes referred to as First Papers. This document could be filed after the immigrant resided in the United States for 2 years.
After 3 additional years, the immigrant filed a Petition for Naturalization. The Naturalization Petition is also known as Second Papers. Please note that the Petition for Naturalization does not have to be filed in the same court as the Declaration of Intention. If the court approved the naturalization, the immigrant took a naturalization oath or oath of allegiance to the USA. The immigrant received a certificate of naturalization as proof of citizenship.
"Derivative" citizenship was granted to wives and minor children of naturalized men. From 1790 to 1922, wives of naturalized men automatically became citizens. This also meant that a noncitizen woman who married a U.S. citizen automatically became a citizen. From 1790 to 1940, children under the age of 21 automatically became naturalized citizens upon the naturalization of their father.
The Archives & Library has naturalization records from some Ohio counties, but not all. Please note that the time period that our naturalization record collections cover vary depending on the county and the court. To determine if we have a certain county’s probate or common pleas court records, do a keyword search in our Library Catalog. For example, search: Knox County Naturalization.
Some collections include negative microfilm, which is not available for public use.
Naturalization Record- Declarations of Intention, 1906-1912, 1921-1929
SAS 3137
Allen County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Petition & Record, 1904-1952; Women Repatriates 1940-1944; and Declarations of Intention, 1906-1958
SAS 3950
Ashland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1875-1906
SAS 3158
Ashtabula County (Ohio). Probate Court
Athens County Naturalizations, Card Index, 1825-1955
SAS 6718
United States. Works Progress Administration
Naturalizations - Declarations of Intention, 1907-1969
SAS 6703
Athens County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records, 1880-1969
SAS 3170
Athens County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization - Declaration of Intention, 1905-1954
SAS 6833
Auglaize County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Petition for Naturalization, 1911-1945
SAS 6834
Auglaize County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declaration of Intention, 1876-1960
SAS 6797
Belmont County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization, Petition and Record Index, ca. 1860-1963
SAS 3930
Belmont County (Ohio). Court of Common Pleas
Naturalization Petition and Record, 1907-1965
SAS 6903
Belmont County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Index, 1860-1906
SAS 3920
Belmont County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Record, 1860-1906
SAS 6791
Belmont County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1833-34
SAS 3211
Brown County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1st Papers, 1856-1876
SAS 5356
Clark County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records, 2nd Papers, 1856-1877
SAS 5357
Clark County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Declarations of Intention, 1917-1929, 1932
SAS 5415
Coshocton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1866, 1880-1904
SAS 5422
Coshocton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Petition and Records, 1904-1917, 1926-1929
SAS 5421
Coshocton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Alien Docket, 1818-1856, 1859
SAS 5431
Cuyahoga County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Naturalization Petitions, 1888 October-1889 October
SAS 5440
Cuyahoga County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Petitions, 1888-1904
SAS 5433
Cuyahoga County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Declarations of Intention, 1902-1906
SAS 5438
Cuyahoga County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1st Papers, 1856-1873, 1880-1906
SAS 5448
Darke County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 2nd Papers, 1856-1868, 1880-1906
SAS 5449
Darke County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, Minors, 1879-1894
SAS 5450
Darke County (Ohio). Probate Court
Declarations of Intention, 1848-1894
SAS 5468
Defiance County (Ohio). Probate Court
Common Pleas Journal, 1825-1855
SAS 4899
Delaware County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Index, circa 1835-1891
SAS 3859
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Index to Certificates of Naturalization, circa 1830-1906
SAS 3860
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1908-1952
SAS 3860
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Erie County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts Common Pleas Journal and Index, 1838-1854
SAS 7604
Erie County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Journal and Index, 1838-1854
SAS 7234
Erie County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Record-Alien Docket, 1854-1877
SAS 7624
Erie County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Declarations of Intention Certificates, 1868-1902
SAS 7632
Erie County (Ohio). Probate Court
Declarations of Intention and Fact Sheets
SAS 7629
Erie County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Index, circa 1820-1900
SAS 3360
Fairfield County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Journal, 1838-1854
SAS 3341
Fairfield County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalizations, 1879-1903
SAS 3387
Fairfield County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Declarations of Intention, 1880-1904
SAS 3384
Fairfield County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalizations of Minors and Soldiers, 1880-1897
SAS 3386
Fairfield County (Ohio). Probate Court
Common Pleas Declarations of Intention, 1846-1917
SAS 3879
Franklin County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Naturalization Petition and Record, 1907-1917
SAS 3885
Franklin County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Index to Declarations of Intention, 1859-1905
SAS 3817
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Index to Certificates of Naturalization, 1859-1906
SAS 3848
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Docket, 1859-1872, 1873-1875
SAS 3840
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Record/Journal, 1859-1879
SAS 3844
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Papers, 1856-1876
SAS 3843
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Declarations of Intention, 1856-1906
SAS 3816
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Aliens, Minors, and Soldiers, 1880-1886
SAS 3841
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Aliens and Soldiers, 1886-1903
SAS 3842
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Aliens, 1891-1906
SAS 3845
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Minors, 1886-1906
SAS 3846
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Soldiers, 1903-1904
SAS 3847
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1880-1906
SAS 5551
Greene County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization, Minors and Soldiers, 1887-1892
SAS 5550
Greene County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Declaration of Intention, 1906-1957
SAS 6982
Guernsey County (Ohio). Court of Common Pleas
Naturalization Petition & Record, 1907-1946
SAS 6981
Guernsey County (Ohio). Court of Common Pleas
Naturalization Certificate Stub Books, 1907-1924
SAS 6983
Guernsey County (Ohio). Court of Common Pleas
Naturalization Records (Restored), circa 1830-1900
SAS 5575
Hamilton County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Declarations of Intention, 1848-1902
SAS 5582
Hamilton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records (Restored), circa 1858-1904
SAS 5584
Hamilton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records General Index, 1852-1904
SAS 5627
Henry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1852-1906
SAS 5626
Henry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization of Aliens, 1859-1884
SAS 5624
Henry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization of Minors, 1859-1903
SAS 5625
Henry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Papers Index, 1850-1910
SAS 7065
Hocking County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declaration of Intention, 1863-1943
SAS 6812
Hocking County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Certificate of Naturalization, 1908-1920
SAS 6868
Hocking County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Papers, 1850-1910
SAS 6866
Hocking County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Petition and Record, 1910-1949
SAS 6867
Hocking County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Final Record, 1862-1881
SAS 6811
Hocking County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Record, 1881-1907
SAS 6813
Hocking County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Index Cards, 1840-1940
SAS 5669
Holmes County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Index, 1862-1910
SAS 6894
Jefferson County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declaration of Intention, 1887-1958
SAS 6896
Jefferson County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Petition and Record, 1906-1930
SAS 6897
Jefferson County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Record, 1915-1936
SAS 6895
Jefferson County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention, 1860-1906
SAS 3274
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1860-1879; 1884-1885
SAS 3285
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization and Alien Records, 1880-1903
SAS 3288
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records for Minors and Soldiers, 1880-1901
SAS 3284
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention, 1877-1888
SAS 5745
Lawrence County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records,1880-1955
SAS 5746
Lawrence County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1869-1882
SAS 4814
Licking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Aliens, 1867-1906
SAS 4817
Licking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Minors, 1874-1879; 1894-1906
SAS 4818
Licking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Aliens, Minors and Soldiers, 1880-1892
SAS 4816
Licking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Declarations of Aliens, 1890-1906
SAS 4815
Licking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1828-1884
SAS 5754
Logan County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Papers, 1828-1884
SAS 5762
Logan County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization of Aliens and Minors, 1860-1880
SAS 5761
Logan County (Ohio). Probate Court
Index to Petitions for Naturalization, 1853-1985
SAS 7940
Lorain County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Declarations of Intention, 1853-1968
SAS 7938
Lorain County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Petitions for Naturalization, 1853-1968
SAS 7939
Lorain County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records of Foreign National Minors, 1859-1906 and Soldiers, 1868-1903
SAS 7941
Lorain County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Journal of the Probate Court, 1868-1881
SAS 7942
Lorain County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Certificate Stubs, 1940s - mid1980s
SAS 7943
Lorain County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Civil Journal, 1810-1817; 1834
SAS 3700
Madison County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Record, 1904
SAS 3701
Madison County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Journal, 1829-1856
SAS 3417
Marion County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records and Naturalization Index, circa 1860-1903
SAS 3487
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Declarations of Minors, 1854-1865
SAS 3485
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Declarations of Aliens, 1860-1882
SAS 3483
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Final Naturalization Records, 1872-1882
SAS 3484
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Declarations of Intention, 1882-1905
SAS 3482
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Naturalization of Aliens, 1882-1905
SAS 3486
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records and Naturalization of Minors, 1883-1903
SAS 3488
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Index, 1847-1862
SAS 5795
Meigs County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Petition and Record, 1908-1959
SAS 7039
Meigs County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declaration of Intention Vol. 2: numbers 81-84, 1941
SAS 7040
Meigs County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Register, 1852-1860
SAS 5814
Mercer County (Ohio). Probate Court
Report of Foreigners for Naturalization, 1838-1839
SAS 5815
Mercer County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, Declaration and 1st Papers, 1885-1902
SAS 5813
Mercer County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1904-1906
SAS 5812
Mercer County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1st Papers, 1860-1904
SAS 5841
Miami County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 2nd Papers, 1860-1906
SAS 5842
Miami County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention, 1909-1926
SAS 6937
Monroe County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Petition and Record, 1910-1959
SAS 6938
Monroe County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records, 1818-1916
SAS 5868
Montgomery County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records, 1st Papers, 1859-1906
SAS 5885
Montgomery County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 2nd Papers, 1859-1906
SAS 5887
Montgomery County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records for Minors, 1862-1906
SAS 5886
Montgomery County (Ohio). Probate Court
Common Pleas Journal, 1848-1852
SAS 5001
Morrow County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Petition for Naturalization, 1909-1928
SAS 5038
Morrow County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention, 1907-1952
SAS 6965
Noble County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Petition and Record, 1907-1954
SAS 6966
Noble County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records, 1886-1906
SAS 6967
Noble County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Common Pleas Order Book, 1810-1854
SAS 3623
Pickaway County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention, 1861-1902
SAS 6021
Putnam County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention and Final Record, 1860-1905
SAS 6022
Putnam County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention, 1852-1906
SAS 6030
Richland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Final Record, 1892-1906
SAS 6031
Richland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Index to Final Record, 1857-1907
SAS 6069
Sandusky County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization - Declarations, 1860-1863
SAS 6065
Sandusky County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records of Aliens, 1875-1896; 1903-1905
SAS 6067
Sandusky County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalizations and Declarations of Aliens, 1830-1907
SAS 6063
Sandusky County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Final Papers, 1875-1902
SAS 6066
Sandusky County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 2nd Papers, 1902-1903
SAS 6068
Sandusky County (Ohio). Probate Court
Final Record, 1852-1910
SAS 6064
Sandusky County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Papers, 1814-1872
SAS 6114
Shelby County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records, 1843-1861
SAS 6115
Shelby County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization - Declarations of Intention, 1883-1906
SAS 6154
Summit County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Final Record, 1859-1890; 1895-1906
SAS 6155
Summit County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records - Certificates of Citizenship, 1884-1903
SAS 6156
Summit County (Ohio). Probate Court
Naturalization Records, 1854-1906
SAS 6190
Tuscarawas County (Ohio). Probate Court
Common Pleas Journal, 1820-1855
SAS 5221
Union County (Ohio). Clerk of Courts
Naturalization Records,1836-1839; 1860-1929; 1842
SAS 6258
Williams County (Ohio). Probate Court
Unfortunately, there is no statewide index to naturalization records in Ohio. The U.S. Census, particularly in early 20th century, can provide clues to when and where your ancestor naturalized. Clues in the Census Records, 1850-1930 via the National Archives indicates where to find Immigration and Naturalization information on the U.S. Census.
For naturalization records not in our collection, contact the local county Probate Court or Clerk of Courts to find out where the records are housed. Also, check the Library Catalog for indexes done by county genealogical and historical societies. Having the index citation will help you when contacting the county's court to request the record.
Many Ohio courthouse records were microfilmed in the past by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have been recently adding digital images of Ohio court records they microfilmed to the FamilySearch website.
The website is free, but they do require that you register for an account. At present, many of the courthouse records have not yet been name indexed (meaning you may not get results by typing the name in the search box), but you can page through the collections, much like viewing microfilm. Here is the link to Ohio, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1977. Scroll down to select Browse through 1,097,134 images, and you can choose a particular county from the list of counties.
In 1906, the Federal Government required a copy of the records concerning the process of becoming a naturalized citizen to be forwarded to the U.S. Naturalization Service. If you believe your ancestor naturalized in 1906 or after, we recommend that you review the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Genealogy page: Genealogy | USCIs
After 1917, naturalizations become more likely to be handled by Federal United States District Court. Naturalization records from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and for the Southern District of Ohio are held by the National Archives Great Lakes Region Office in Chicago. Naturalization Records | National Archives
You will find some information about requesting records from the National Archives on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio's website: Retrieving Records from National Archive and Records Administration | Southern District of Ohio | United States District Court (uscourts.gov)
The following collections are available on FamilySearch.org. Select the "Browse All" option to choose from the Surname range.
Often researchers request naturalization records with certification for dual citizen applications. Unfortunately, because we are not the creator of the records, we cannot certify or notarize the documents we hold in our collections. Likewise, we cannot provide certified or notarized documents regarding the existence of those records.
If you locate naturalization records in our holdings, please ask for them to be stamped before leaving the research room. The stamp we provide states the following: "This document is a photocopy of a public record in the custody of the Ohio History Connection under provisions of section 149.31 of the Ohio Revised Code." It is not a notary or certification but identifies where the copies were located.
Please contact the county court of naturalization for naturalization records before 1906 or the National Archives at Chicago for ones after that. If you are unable to procure the necessary certified documentation, please consult your legal counsel about how to proceed.
Please visit the following website that provides more information regarding dual citizenship AND the immigration department for the country of interest for dual citizenship.