Series 85175
District Court (Second District) Certificates of citizenship record books
Dates: i 1878-1895.
1 microfilm reel
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
To become a citizen of the United States, an individual normally filed a "declaration of intention to become a citizen" at least two years prior to applying for citizenship. The next step was the naturalization 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 two volumes contain recorded copies of an individual's final admission to U.S. citizenship.
These forms record the applicant's compliance with the procedures. The applicant's name and current nationality were noted. The applicant was required to give evidence that he had declared his intention to become a citizen at least two years earlier. Two U.S. citizens attested that the applicant had resided in the United States at least five years, and in Utah territory at least one year. They also testified that the applicant was of good moral character and behaved in a manner supportive of the U.S. Constitution. The applicant was sworn to support the Constitution and renounce allegiance to his former nation and particularly, by name, to its ruler.
Both volumes have similarly worded forms. The first volume recorded individuals who had entered the United States as adults. The second volume includes forms for individuals who had entered the country as minors. These individuals were not required to have actually filed declarations of intention earlier.
At statehood in 1896, Beaver County, which had been the seat of the Second District Court, was assigned to the Fifth District Court. A few entries were mistakenly made in these volumes after that date. Those entries for the 5th District Court in and for Beaver County are crossed out and have been correctly entered in series 85177.
Arrangement
Chronological.
Related Records
Certificate of naturalization record books from the District Court (Second District), Series 26729, includes certificates of citizenship issued by the court.
Declarations of intention record book from the District Court (Second District), Series 85174, contain the declarations of intention to become citizens filed with the court, perhaps by some of the same individuals.
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.
Finding Aids
Indexes: Both volumes have indices alphabetized by the first letter of the applicant's surname,.
Indexing Terms
- Immigrants—Utah.
- Naturalization—Utah.
- Emigration and immigration—Utah.
- Citizenship—Utah.
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.