Do you research naturalization records? No? Why not? Does the thought of going through paper files in dusty court basements turn you off? Well – I’m here to tell you that it is worth it – and with recent digitization efforts – more and more original documents have been scanned and been made available via microfilm or online.
Some of the larger subscription sites have also made some source documents available – as well as index cards that can lead you to the court that handled the proceedings.
If you wish to get educated first about all of these documents and the naturalization process and how it has changed over time – please read these two terrific summaries:
- The U.S. Archives Naturalization Records
- FamilySearch’s Wiki entry United States Naturalization and Citizenship
- Women and Naturalization
Okay – now that you are educated and know that post-1906 – about 4 awesome documents just drip with great information: Declaration of Intent, Petition for Citizenship or Naturalization, Certificate of Arrival, and the Certificate of Naturalization. Many of the online genealogy websites may not have all of these documents available, but do have index cards that are searchable – which have information regarding the court handling the proceedings. With this information, you might be able to track down some of the source documents.
Below is a list of links to free online naturalization record and index collections for the state:
Note: Some of the links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage, please make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
(Updated August 2022)
- Adair County, Naturalization Records, 1858-1904; Index, 1858-1899
- Benton County Naturalization Records, 1860-1929
- Benton County, Naturalization Records, 1891-1902
- Black Hawk County, Naturalization Records, 1944-1962
- Calhoun County Naturalization Index, 1873-1906 ; Naturalization Records, 1873-1906
- Calhoun County Naturalization Records, 1907-1929
- Carroll County Naturalization Records, Index, 1860-1970
- Cedar County Naturalization Records, 1860-1929; Index, 1855-1930
- Cerro Gordo County, Naturalization Records, 1943-1961
- Creston Naturalizations, Name index, 1930-1951
- Des Moines County Naturalization Card Index, ca. 1847-1930
- Des Moines County County Court Records, v. A, 1849-1857
- Des Moines County Court Records, 1869-1886; Indexes 1836-1928
- Des Moines County District Court Records, 1835-1937; Indexes, 1883-1932
- Des Moines County Naturalization Index, 1849-1857 : Des Moines County
- Des Moines County Naturalization Records, 1855-1930; Index, 1855-1880
- Des Moines County Naturalization Records, 1866-1868
- Dubuque County, Naturalization Records, 1914-1965
- Fayette County Naturalization Records, 1859-1929
- Fayette County Naturalization Records, 1903-1912
- Franklin County Naturalization Records, 1855-1918
- Henry County Naturalization Records and Declarations of Intention, 1839-1952; Index, 1841-1939
- Iowa Counties Naturalization Record Indexes
- Iowa Naturalization Records, 1859-1990
- Iowa, Alien Personal History and Statements 1942-1946
- Iowa, Cedar Rapids Division Declarations of Intention, 1886-1936; Naturalizations, 1891-1936
- Iowa, Cedar Rapids Division Naturalization Records, 1910-1936
- Iowa, Central Division General Index to Declaration of Intention and Petitions, 1909-1948; Declaration of Intention, 1917-1936; Petitions, 1909-1936
- Iowa, Eastern Division Declarations of Intention and Miscellaneous Papers, 1849-1888
- Iowa, Eastern Division Declarations of Intention, 1914-1936; Petitions, 1915-1936
- Iowa, Eastern Division Lists of Persons Naturalized, 1853-1874
- Jasper County Naturalization Index 1887-1895
- Jasper County Naturalization Records
- Jones County, Declarations of Intent (First Papers) Index, 1906-1931
- Jones County, Declarations of Intent and Petitions, Indexes 1841-1931
- Keokuk Naturalizations, Name index, 1840-1888
- Lee County, Naturalization Records, 1853-1874
- Linn County Naturalizations Name Indexes
- Linn County, Naturalization Records, 1886-1947
- Madison County, Naturalization Records, 1908-1924
- Mahaska County District Court Records, 1844-1926
- Mahaska County Naturalization Records, 1871-1930
- Mason City Naturalization Name Index 1942-1961
- Mason City Naturalizations, Name index, 1942-1961
- Monroe County, Naturalization Records, 1852-1929
- Ottumwa Naturalizations, Name index, 1916-1951
- Polk County Index to Naturalization, 1852-1884
- Polk County Naturalization Records, 1907-1927
- Polk County, Naturalization Records, 1915-1985
- Pottawattamie County Miscellaneous Naturalization Abstracts
- Scott County, Naturalization Index, 1842-1930
- Union County, Naturalization Records, 1930-1951
- Wapello County Naturalization Record, 1879-1883; Default Record, 1879-1897
- Wapello County, Naturalization Records, 1907-1951
- Webster County, Naturalization Records, 1909-1927
- Winneshiek County Naturalization Records and Indexes
- Woodbury County, Naturalization Records, 1932-1990
- Worth County Naturalizations Index
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