A Guide to the Portsmouth (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1843-1891,

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

City of Portsmouth's loose naturalization records, 1843-1891, are digitized and available through the Naturalization Records Digital Collection on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Portsmouth (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1843-1891. Local government records collection, Portsmouth (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.

Acquisition Information

These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the City of Portsmouth.

Processing Information

Loose naturalization records, 1843-1891, were processed and indexed for the purpose of inclusion in the Library of Virginia's Naturalization Records Digital Collection by Library of Virginia staff.

Encoded by L. Travis: December 2011; updated by M. Long: April 2024.

Historical Information

Context for Record Type: Beginning in 1795, a person could declare their intent to become a citizen at any time and in any place after they arrived in the United States. Prior to the Naturalization Act of 1906, the naturalization process primarily occurred in local and state courts. Declarations of intent were the record by which an applicant for U.S. citizenship declared their intent to become a citizen and renounced their allegiance to a foreign government. This document typically preceded proof of residence or a petition to become a citizen by two or more years.

Locality History: Portsmouth was established in 1752 in Norfolk County, a county which is now extinct. Incorporated as a town in 1836, it was incorporated as a city in 1858. The city of Norfolk was established in 1680 and in 1845 was incorporated as an independent city.

Scope and Content

Portsmouth (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1843-1891, consists of loose naturalization records filed in the local court. Loose naturalization records may include affidavits, reports for naturalization, declarations of intent to become United States citizens, and notices of application for admission of citizenship. The reports are narrative accounts made by applicants summarizing their journey to the United States. The declarations of intent record the person's name, place of birth, age, country of previous citizenship, renunciation of allegiance and fidelity to the nation of which the person is currently a citizen, and the date the intention was sworn. Affidavits, signed by those who knew the applicant and could vouch for their loyalty to the United States, may also be filed with the reports and declarations.