The Ancestor Hunt regularly adds and updates new collection links, as well as searches for and fixes broken links.
(This page's most recent update is February 2026)
Want to improve your newspaper research skills? Become an AcademyPro member of the Newspaper Research Academy at Academy
Naturalization records contain standard terms for the citizenship process, including “first papers,” petitions, court actions, and certificate information. Use this glossary to decode the wording found in declarations of intention, petitions for naturalization, court orders, indexes, and certificates—so you can recognize what stage of the process your ancestor reached and what record types to seek next.
| Term | Definition |
| Admission | Lawful entry into the United States. |
| Affidavit | Sworn written statement submitted in support of petition. |
| Alien | Non-citizen residing in a country. |
| Allegiance | Loyalty pledged to a nation. |
| Arrival Record | Documentation of immigrant’s entry into U.S. |
| Certificate of Arrival | Official verification of lawful entry. |
| Certificate of Citizenship | Proof of citizenship status. |
| Certificate of Naturalization | Official document granting U.S. citizenship. |
| Clerk of Court | Court official managing naturalization filings. |
| Declaration of Intention | “First papers” stating intent to become citizen. |
| Derivative Citizenship | Citizenship obtained through parent or spouse. |
| Domicile | Permanent legal residence. |
| Final Papers | Informal term for completed naturalization certificate. |
| Good Moral Character | Legal requirement for naturalization approval. |
| Hearing | Court proceeding reviewing petition. |
| Immigration Act | Federal law governing naturalization requirements. |
| Intent | Declared plan to become U.S. citizen. |
| Jurisdiction | Court’s authority over naturalization case. |
| Minor Child | Child under legal age, often deriving citizenship. |
| Naturalization | Legal process of becoming U.S. citizen. |
| Naturalization Oath | Formal pledge of allegiance. |
| Oath of Allegiance | Required statement renouncing foreign loyalty. |
| Petition for Naturalization | Formal application for citizenship. |
| Port of Entry | Location where immigrant entered U.S. |
| Proof of Residence | Evidence of required residency period. |
| Renunciation | Formal abandonment of prior citizenship allegiance. |
| Residence Requirement | Mandatory time living in U.S. before applying. |
| Sponsor | Individual supporting application (rare in naturalization context). |
| Subject | Term used historically for citizen of monarchy. |
| Witness | Individual attesting to applicant’s character. |
| Naturalization Index | Alphabetical listing of petitions and declarations. |
| Expatriation | Voluntary loss of citizenship. |
| Repatriation | Restoration of citizenship status. |
| Citizenship Act | Federal legislation regulating citizenship. |
| District Court | Federal or state court handling petitions. |
| Examiner | Official reviewing application. |
| Immigration File (A-File) | Federal record of immigrant history. |
| Alien Registration Number | Unique identifier assigned to immigrant. |
| Certificate Number | Serial number on naturalization certificate. |
| Court Order | Official approval granting citizenship. |
| Revocation | Legal cancellation of citizenship. |
| Military Naturalization | Citizenship granted through military service. |
| Enemy Alien | Term applied during wartime to nationals of hostile nation. |
| Record of Renunciation | Document surrendering prior allegiance. |
| Derivative Minor | Child receiving citizenship through parent. |
| Special Naturalization | Citizenship under special legislative provision. |
| USCIS | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency. |
| Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) | Former federal agency overseeing immigration and naturalization. |
| Act of Congress | Legislative authority establishing naturalization rules. |
| Naturalization Docket | Court ledger listing naturalization proceedings. |
If you’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse—whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE