Indexes to naturalization records are typically found on index cards, as presented in the National Archives and Records Administration files. They vary greatly depending upon which state created the index and what time period the card files reference. Some cards provide a great deal of information while others simply provide a number to look for in the court records.

Most indexes are organized alphabetically, except in the cases where they are in soundex order. Scroll through the image window to see the variety of index cards used and information available. Below are some examples of different types of indexes at Fold3.

A note about New York, Eastern District Court, from NARA's descriptive pamphlet found here:

The index reproduced on this microfilm publication [New York, Eastern District] refers only to those aliens who sought naturalization in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, located in Kings County, New York. An alien, however, could become a naturalized citizen through any court of record, making it possible for those living in any of the five counties that made up the eastern district to seek naturalization through the city or county courts in the counties in this district. This index, therefore, does not contain the names of all individuals naturalized in the counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Nassau. The clerks of these county courts will, as a rule, have custody of the naturalization records of aliens who became citizens in their courts.

The National Archives can provide copies of naturalization records via online requests on its secure website at Order Online! at https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline. Click on the button for Made-To-Order Reproductions, then choose "Immigration & Naturalization Records." After you add a record to your cart you will be asked for information so the record can be located. There is a fee for this service and registration at Order Online! is required before records can be ordered.

In order to locate a naturalization record for an individual, please have the following information available:

• state in which naturalization occurred
• name of the petitioner
• country of origin
• city and county of residence at time of naturalization
• approximate year of birth

If you have information from an index at Fold3.com, please provide the record number and any other information provided.

• Szkudlarek, Konstanty Stefan
• Residence: 33 Chestnut St., Chelsea
• Birth: March 6, 1886, Poland, Russia
• Occupation: Waiter
• Wife: Elizabeth
• Date of Admission: Jan. 15, 1917
• Certificate No. 748601
• Petition No. 18912 D.C.

• Bradford, Harman
• Soundex*: B631
• Superior Court, New York County
• Date of naturalization: Mar. 28, 1844
• Bundle No. 8
• Copy of record No. 5
• Address: N.Y.C.
• Occupation: blank
• Birth: blank
• Former Nationality: Prussian
• Port of Arrival: blank
• Date of Arrival: blank
• Witness: John Drie - N.Y.C.

View NARA's descriptive pamphlet for this publication: M1674.

It is common to find many sections left "blank" on index cards.

*For instructions on determining a Soundex code, visit the NARA website. There is also a Fold3 story page on How to Use the Soundex.

• Wolf, Abram
• U.S. District Court, Brooklyn, NY
  
• Date of naturalization: July 28, 1890
• Volume No.30
• Copy of record No. 192
• Address: 280 Monroe St., N.Y.C.
• Occupation: tailor
• Birth: Aug. 1861
• Former Nationality: Russian
• Port of Arrival: N.Y.
• Date of Arrival: May 1884
• Witness: James Friedland, 55 Ave. D, N.Y.C., tailor

• Shega, John
• CER: 2058547
• ADDRESS: 1662 Woodbine St. Ridgewood, N.Y.
• ADMITTED. 4-17-58
• PETITION: 31009 Vol. 126

• Card No. 6997451
• Residence: 604 53rd Ave, Elmurst [NY]
  
• Date of birth: Apr. 26, 1916
• Admission: July 15, 1952
• Certificate issued: July 15, 1952
• Petition No.: 490525
• Alien Registration No.: 6491244
• Signature of holder

Note that this card has "Received Certificate Edith Weinstock Aug 19, 1952 at 1:10 P.M." written on the reverse. Several cards have additional information listed in this manner, most notably name changes.

The year a certificate was issued was cut off some cards filmed for this publication. If the certificate year is blank it is may have been cut off, but it is typically the same year as admission, but not necessarily so. 

The three digit-number on these index cards is the volume number. The other number is the Declaration of Intention number. Use these numbers when requesting copies of the declarations.

• Colmelo, Miguel
• 97225
• 196

To view the descriptive pamphlet of a particular publication, choose the NARA link for that title. The pamphlets are formatted as PDFs and vary in size.

Index to Petitions and Records of Naturalizations of the U.S. and District Courts for the District of Massachusetts, 1907-1966. Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, Publication Number M1545; National Archives, Washington.

Indexes to Naturalization Petitions to the U.S. Circuit and District Courts for Maryland, 1797-1951. Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, Publication Number M1168; National Archives, Washington.

Index to the Naturalization Petitions of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Jul 1865-Sep 1906, Index to the Naturalization Petitions of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1906-Nov 1925, and Index to the Naturalization Petitions of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1865-1957. Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, Publication Number M1164; National Archives, Washington.

Alphabetical Index to Declarations of Intention of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1917-1950. Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, Publication Number M1675; National Archives, Washington.

Alphabetical Index to Petitions for Naturalization of the US District Court [and Circuit Court] for the Southern District of New York, 1824-1941. Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, Publication Number M1676; National Archives, Washington.

Alphabetical Index to Petitions for Naturalizations of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, 1907-1966. Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, Publication Number M1677, National Archives, Washington.

Soundex Index to Petitions for Naturalizations Filed in Federal, State, and Local Courts in New York City, 1792-1906. Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21, Publication Number M1674; National Archives, Washington.

Naturalization Index Cards from the Superior Court of San Diego County, California, 1868-1958. National Archives Gift Collection, Record Group 200, Publication Number M1526; National Archives, Washington.

Index to Naturalizations of World War I Soldiers, 1918. Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Record Group 85, Publication Number M1952; National Archives, Washington.