How to Find Your Ancestor’s U.S. Naturalization Records for Italian Dual Citizenship

[@CharleneHart-e8w]

This is exactly my problem. My GGrandfather immigrated from Italy to USA (New York - Monroe County) aprox 1906. All census records show he was of AL Status (Alien) until 1930 when it is recorded as FP (First Papers) He died in 1935 and I can find no documentation of his naturalization actually occurring. How do I prove that he DID NOT naturalize prior to his passing? USCIS organizational processes are near impossible to navigate as an individual looking for information. I assume the Declaration of Intention - "First Papers" have to be recorded somewhere and if the case was either closed or continued to the next step. All documents from New York State are moved to USCIS and there is not form to ask this question or # in which to speak with a human person. Greatly appreciate your help.

[@salvatoreemma]

If the State court clerk in nyc can issue a certified copy of my ancestor’s citizenship approval page (with naturalization certificate number) signed by the approving Judge’s signature, is that sufficient and acceptable for the Italian court to agree upon? Reason for asking - the USCIS naturalization copy takes as much as a year or more to process.

[@thedalillama]

It just took me 15 months to get (official) documents from USCIS. USCIS charges more than enough to retrieve the documents. Heck, hire more people and double the charge. These documents affect lives of people requesting them. An extra $130 would mean nothing to not put things on hold waiting on documents nearly in vain. Making someone wait more than a year is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

[@salvatoreemma]

@ great comment. Let’s see if Marco at ICA can tell us if the actual court record copy meets Italian court standards.

[@JohnCash001]

What sad is ICA did not even tell me I needed it, I needed to go figure out on Facebook groups to know I will need it, but I waited to long to get it and now I have to wait past my planned time to apply in Italy.. It really should be ordered in the beginning. They don't do it like that because they seem to have no clue of the wait time.. its strange..

[@JohnCash001]

@@thedalillama When did you first order it? month and year? I'm hoping they speed up the process for mine somehow

[@Poplicola08]

I got a copy of the Oath of Allegiance (and petition) from a county clerk in West Virginia and the secretary of state for WV apostilled (apostillized?) it. I need to submit all of my documents and with USCIS running 11-13 months out, I wouldn't have my ancestors citizenship documents in time. I hope this state copy is acceptable.

[@IsakBorg-b7g]

I hired you guys over 2 years ago and you still haven't found them or been able to prove they don't exist. LOL

[@thedalillama]

You should be able to obtain scans of the documents from a computer in a matter of minutes. I'm actually surprised anyone would take you on as a client without the scans.

[@JohnCash001]

Yeah, they didn't even want me to get a certificate of non-existence.. its nuts.. You think because you are paying a lot you will get people that know what they are doing.. but if you are already locked into contracts with them you should have understood the process to fill in the areas they have no clue about.. Sadly

[@SALFXEF]

You need to do a full video about the process of the children of pre 83 marriages. What it is who's eligible how to apply do you have to go through a consulate can you do it in Italy let's go. With the minor issue I'm sure there's a lot of people who are eligible through the pre 83 that don't even know what it is it would be a great help

[@claytonmatt4334]

Yeah I appreciate the free info they put out but I reached out to them more than a week ago about applying and have not received any reply. It makes it very unlikely that I would trust them with this process since it is lengthy and requires a lot of communication. Im happy for them that they are so busy though business must be good.

[@s.picone]

I seen on the news you can be Italian citizen just by arriving on ships from North Africa and onto the shores of Lampedusa. They even dance and play music with you when you arrive ! 😉