Series 30421District Court (First District : Rich County) Declaration of Intention record books
Dates: 1896-1922
0.50 cubic foot
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Scope and Content
This series contains bound volumes with forms used to document an individuals intent to become a naturalized citizen. Filing of a "declaration of intention to become a citizen" at least two years prior to applying for citizenship was the first step in the naturalization process. The next step was a 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. These volumes contain recorded copies of the declarations of individuals' intentions to later become United States citizens and to renounce current citizenship. The first forms contain little more than the declarant's name and native country, but forms after 1906 contain more detailed information about both the individual and his family.
Arrangement
Chronological by declaration date.
Related Records
Naturalization Petition and Record from the District Court (First District : Rich County), Series 30422, contains petitions for naturalizations and associated copies of declarations of intention.
Naturalization Record from the District Court (First District : Rich County), Series 30423, contains copies of certificates of citizenship issued by the court.
Custody History
The court transferred the records in this series to the State Archives in November 2018.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Processing Note
The records in this series were archivally processed by Alan Barnett in May 2023.Page Last Updated .