Petition for Naturalization found, but no Certificate???

[afecad]

Does anyone have experience with this scenario?

So a petition for naturalization was found for my great-grandfather, dated in 1903 but no certificate of naturalization. I know pre-1906 means the local courts processed and stored all documents and the search yielded nothing else, USCIS and NARA both came back, no record found.

My great-grandmother was issued a "no record found" by the courthouse in question, thus I'm in the 1948 case direction (which ICA presumed from the start due to census records for my great-grandfather which were listed "NA"). I'm sure one could say they were "NA" but were not, did they have to prove it with documentation or not?

So, is a petition for naturalization enough on it's own to rule out my great-grandfather in my case? No rejection documentation was found and whether or not local courts kept a copy of the certificate of naturalization along with providing one to the petitioner is also a question?

It's unknown if this record exists and whether or not it was saved after he passed away in 1945. Has anyone been able to find certificates of naturalization pre-1906 in city or county courthouse(s)?

[qualdom]

Does anyone have experience with this scenario?

So a petition for naturalization was found for my great-grandfather, dated in 1903 but no certificate of naturalization. I know pre-1906 means the local courts processed and stored all documents and the search yielded nothing else, USCIS and NARA both came back, no record found.

My great-grandmother was issued a "no record found" by the courthouse in question, thus I'm in the 1948 case direction (which ICA presumed from the start due to census records for my great-grandfather which were listed "NA"). I'm sure one could say they were "NA" but were not, did they have to prove it with documentation or not?

So, is a petition for naturalization enough on it's own to rule out my great-grandfather in my case? No rejection documentation was found and whether or not local courts kept a copy of the certificate of naturalization along with providing one to the petitioner is also a question?

It's unknown if this record exists and whether or not it was saved after he passed away in 1945. Has anyone been able to find certificates of naturalization pre-1906 in city or county courthouse(s)?

My GGF naturalized in the same courthouse as your GGF in 1920, and although there is no distinct certificate of naturalization, there is a section of the petition titled "Order of Court admitting petitioner". It states that my GGF is hereby admitted as a citizen of the USA on MM/DD/YYYY. Does that section exist on your GGF's petition?

Regarding pre-1906 naturalizations, I have a more distant ancestor who naturalized in New Jersey in 1904 but his certificate was not issued properly and was considered invalid...so he had to have a new certificate issued in 1908 which was formatted according to the 1906 regulations. They gave him the same date in 1904 as his official naturalization date. Perhaps your GGF had a similar situation?

[afecad]

My GGF naturalized in the same courthouse as your GGF in 1920, and although there is no distinct certificate of naturalization, there is a section of the petition titled "Order of Court admitting petitioner". It states that my GGF is hereby admitted as a citizen of the USA on MM/DD/YYYY. Does that section exist on your GGF's petition?

Regarding pre-1906 naturalizations, I have a more distant ancestor who naturalized in New Jersey in 1904 but his certificate was not issued properly and was considered invalid...so he had to have a new certificate issued in 1908 which was formatted according to the 1906 regulations. They gave him the same date in 1904 as his official naturalization date. Perhaps your GGF had a similar situation?

Yes, the “Order of Court” section is on the petition as well, dated and signed. It appears he filed intent in 1898, his date of first visit and I know he went back and forth to Italy a few times in between. So the 1903 date aligns with the 5 year wait period.

I posed the question to ICA as well, but expect the response, this proves he naturalized and we are proceeding as planned with the 1948 case.

[afecad]

ICA just responded noting that this is enough evidence to prove he naturalized and gave his oath of allegiance at a local court. So we will proceed as planned with the 1948 case.

[qualdom]

ICA just responded noting that this is enough evidence to prove he naturalized and gave his oath of allegiance at a local court. So we will proceed as planned with the 1948 case.

A 1948 case is probably the quickest route to recognition these days anyway. And the courts are a lot more flexible than consular officers.

[afecad]

A 1948 case is probably the quickest route to recognition these days anyway. And the courts are a lot more flexible than consular officers.

Perhaps? I think the quoted time 2-3 years, is about right just not too clear on the new law with court location and judges who never likely were involved in these cases.

Can't complain, a friend in the family recently obtained Greek citizenship, took 8 years.