AGENCY: District Court (Sixth District : Sevier County)

SERIES: 13476
TITLE: Declarations of intention record books
DATES: 1896-1929.
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by date filed

DESCRIPTION: 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 volumes contain only the declarations of individuals' intentions to become United States citizens in which an applicant vows to later become a U.S. citizen and to renounce his current citizenship.

RETENTION

DISPOSITION

RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION

These records are in Archives' permanent custody.

FORMAT MANAGEMENT

Paper: Retain in Office permanently after being microfilmed.

Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

APPRAISAL

Historical Legal

The records in this series are of historical value as representation of the citizenship process in the United States. These are of legal value in determining the citizenship of individuals.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public

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