Do you research naturalization records? No? Why not? Does the thought of going through paper files in dusty court basements turn you off? Well - I'm here to tell you that it is worth it - and with recent digitization efforts - more and more original documents have been scanned and been made available via microfilm or online.
Some of the larger subscription sites have also made some source documents available - as well as index cards that can lead you to the court that handled the proceedings.
If you wish to get educated first about all of these documents and the naturalization process and how it has changed over time - please read these two terrific summaries:
- The U.S. Archives Naturalization Records
- FamilySearch's Wiki entry United States Naturalization and Citizenship
- Women and Naturalization
Okay - now that you are educated and know that post-1906 - about 4 awesome documents just drip with great information: Declaration of Intent, Petition for Citizenship or Naturalization, Certificate of Arrival, and the Certificate of Naturalization. Many of the online genealogy websites may not have all of these documents available, but do have index cards that are searchable - which has information regarding the court handling the proceedings. With this information you might be able to track down some of the source documents.
Below is a list of links to free online naturalization record and index collections for the state:
Note: Some of the links listed below take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections' images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital.
(Updated August, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD)
- Andrew County Naturalization Record, 1869-1904
- Bollinger County Naturalization Records, 1909-1925
- Buchanan County Naturalization Records, 1867-1906; Index to Naturalizations, 1839-1921.
- Buchanan County, St. Joseph Naturalization Records, 1907-1976
- Butler County Naturalization Records, 1886-1951
- Caldwell County Naturalization Records 1884-1906
- Cape Girardeau County, Naturalization Records, 1907-1986
- Cape Girardeau Petitions, Name Index to Naturalization Petitions ca. 1908-1979
- Carroll County Naturalization Records , 1843-1942
- Chariton County Naturalization Records Index
- Clark County Naturalization Records, 1884-1929
- Clinton County Naturalization Records, 1855-1936
- Clinton County Naturalization Records, 1883-1912
- Cole County, Jefferson City Naturalization Records, 1938-1982
- County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1802-1969
- DeKalb County Naturalization Records 1904-1927
- Eastern Division, St. Louis First Papers (Declaration of Intention and Naturalizations), 1868-1887
- Eastern Division, St. Louis First Papers (Declarations of Intention and Naturalizations), 1855-1888
- Eastern Division, St. Louis Naturalization Petitions, depositions, and miscellaneous Papers, Naturalization Certificate stubs, 1907-1991
- Gasconade County Historical Society Naturalization Index, 1837-1949
- Gasconade County Naturalization Records, 1894-1904
- Greene County Index to Naturalization Records 1868-1906
- Greene County, Springfield Naturalization Records, 1895-1983
- Hannibal Petitions, Name Index to Naturalization Petitions ca. 1907-1973
- Holt County, Missouri Naturalizations, 1850-1900
- Iron County Naturalization Records, 1887-1919
- Jackson County, Kansas City Naturalization Certificate stubs, 1914-1985
- Jackson County, Kansas City, Naturalization Records, 1909-1991
- Jasper County, Joplin Naturalization Records, 1907-1975
- Jefferson City Petitions, Name Index to Naturalization Petitions ca. 1938-1982
- Jefferson County Naturalization Records, 1908-1939
- Jefferson County, Naturalization Records, 1911-1924
- Joplin Petitions, Name Index to Naturalization Petitions ca. 1931-ca. 1969
- Madison County Naturalization Records, 1820-1926
- Marion County, Hannibal Naturalization Records, 1870-1976
- Missouri Counties Naturalization Records Indexes
- Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991
- Missouri, County Naturalization Records, 1883-1927
- Missouri, Naturalization Records, 1816 - 1955
- Northern Division Naturalization Petitions, 1907-1929; Naturalization Certificate stubs, 1907-1929
- Oregon County Naturalization Records, v. 1, 1889-1904
- Osage County Marriage and Naturalization Records, 1848-1943
- Perry County Naturalization Index 1820-1849
- Perry County Naturalization Records, 1852-1926
- Pettis County Naturalization Records 1891-1906
- Platte County Naturalization Records, 1846-1926
- Ray County, Naturalization Records, 1903-1941
- Scott County Naturalization Records, 1908-1932
- Shelby County Court Records, 1835-1907; Index to Naturalizations in the Court Records, 1835-1900's
- Southern Division Naturalization Petitions and Record, 1911-1937; Citizenship Petitions, 1930-1936; Naturalization Certificate stubs, 1916-1927
- Springfield Petitions, Name Index to Naturalization Petitions ca. 1911-ca. 1983
- St. Joseph Petitions, Name Index to Naturalization Petitions ca. 1908-1976
- St. Louis City Naturalization Records, 1896-1906
- St. Louis County Naturalization Index cards, 1840-1916
- St. Louis County Naturalization Papers, 1844-1890
- St. Louis County Naturalization Records, 1841-1865
- St. Louis County Naturalization Records, 1853-1902
- St. Louis County Naturalization Records, 1856-1865
- St. Louis County Naturalization Records, 1856-1906
- St. Louis County Naturalization Records, 1878-1906
- St. Louis, Name Index to Naturalizations, 1846 - 1890
- St. Louis, Naturalization Indexes
- St. Louis, Petitions for Naturalization, 1843-1991
- Ste. Genevieve County Naturalization Records, 1846-1940; Index, 1857-1896
- Washington County Naturalization Records, 1907-1942
- Wayne County Naturalization Records, 1907-1929
- Western Division, Kansas City Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1963
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
For other Free Missouri Links, click on the category of interest: