Ask a Law Librarian: FAQ's about Legal Research

Prior to 1906, local state and federal courts could grant citizenship.  Individual courts and county clerks will need to be contacted.

Some NY County Clerks have naturalization records.

On June 29, 2023, the Queens County Clerk Audrey I. Pheffer and Bronx County Clerk Ischia Bravo and other officials announced a  database to provide remote access to naturalization records held by the two counties. The counties hold naturalization records from 1795 to 1952.  Records can be viewed, saved and printed. Certified copies can be requested from the County Clerk. 

Bronx The County Clerk maintains naturalization records for the years 1914 through 1952. These records include the following: certificate of arrival, declaration of intention and petitions. A Certification certificate of these records is available for a fee of $10.00, payable to the Bronx County Clerk in cash, certified check or U.S. postal money orders.

Kings The County Clerk maintains naturalization records for the years 1907 through 1924. These records include the following: certificate of arrival, declaration of intention and petitions. The Jewish Genealogical Society has created a name index to Kings County Naturalization records.

NY County 1794-1924 - Records for State courts in Manhattan only. All copies must be made from microfilm, though digital camera use is also permitted. 1907-1924 - Petitions. Bound volumes and on microfilm. Card index. 1794-1906, microfilm only. Index on microfilm and in database

Queens The County Clerk maintains naturalization records for the years 1795-1952 These records include the following: certificate of arrival, declaration of intention and petitions. 

Suffolk The County Clerk maintains records from 1852 to 1990. An online database is available.

The New York State Archives' Naturalization Pathfinder provides detailed information on researching naturalization records.

If you are looking for naturalization records from a county other than Kings or Queens, there are also extensive naturalization holdings, primarily petitions for naturalization, covering the state of New York, parts of New Jersey and Puerto Rico at the New York City branch of the National Archives.  The National Archives website also describes the naturalization process.