Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998

What is in This Collection?

The collection consists of images of naturalization records from county courthouses in Illinois for the years 1800 to 1998. The content and time period varies by county. Few counties have records after 1945.

Before 1906, immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations including city, county, state and federal courts. As a result they often selected the most convenient court. If they lived in the Eastern District but worked elsewhere, they may have gone to a court closer to work. To begin, look for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. If the county has an index search it first. Next look for the petition (second papers), because they are usually easier to find in courts near where the immigrant eventually settled.

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.

The information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

This publication includes the following localities, cities or counties: Adams, Alexander, Alton City, Aurora City, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Calumet City, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clinton, Coles, Douglas, Du Quoin, Jo Daviess, Elgin City, Greene, Kewanee, East St. Louis City, De Witt, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Jersey, Kane, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kewanee, Knox, La Salle, Lee, Livingston, Logan, McHenry, Madison, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Mason, Massac, Mattoon, Menard, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Perry, Pike, Piatt, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Rock Island, St. Clair, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Tazewell, Union, Warren, White, Williamson, Woodford.

This publication also includes U.S. District Court Northern District. Eastern Divisions. Records of naturalizations and name changes; first set, 1926-1980; second set, 1980-1988.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

To Browse This Collection

What Can These Records Tell Me?

These records may contain the following information:

Collection Content

Sample Images

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  Naturalization Sept. 1905

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  1939 Card

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  1963 Card with Name Change