Help finding valid naturalization records!

[Italia1969]

We are building our case files for Italian citizenship via jure sanguinis and we have found petitions for naturalization records online (via Ancestry.com) and 1 photo (from family) of great-grandfathers naturalization card.

Question: I have read that there is no centralized database for naturalization records. Does anyone know where and how we can get certificates of naturalization for ascendant ancestors (if helpful from Rhode Island and New York)?

Thanks very much in advance!

[mler]

If you have the card, you know the date and can request records from USCIS. Also NARA should have the declaration, petition and oath.

[bbivona]

If you have the card, you know the date and can request records from USCIS. Also NARA should have the declaration, petition and oath.

Correct. You can order here, but they have suspended reproductions during COVID. https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline

[Italia1969]

Thank you @mler and @bbivona! I've filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) with USCIS to get their naturalization records but I don't have a whole lot of confidence in the US Govt sending them (due to Covid and general ineptitude) in a reasonable amount of time. Understanding NARA is also not fulfilling requests, I assume that our digital records are useless... or do you think the consulate/Govt of Italy would allow them?

[bbivona]

Based on my experience and that of some friends, they have been pretty rigid in the document requirements and they don’t like unverified digital copies. It is COVID slowing the U.S. government down. Turnaround with NARA was actually pretty good before this. I strongly suspect that the Italian consulate will use this as a reason to go slower, not faster, and that they won’t give you a break on the document certification requirements.The government employees follow all the rules.

[Italia1969]

Thanks again, @bbivona. I'll hope that the USCIS comes through!