Welcome to Part Five of a seven-part blog series! If you need to catch up, here’s the introduction with links to all the blog posts.
Under the provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, as amended, all persons of Chinese ancestry, whether American citizens or not, went through an examination process that determined their eligibility to enter or reenter the United States. But for returning residents, even for those who filed documentation prior to departure, this examination process was often unnecessarily lengthy and cumbersome.
In response to complaints, immigration officials developed new forms for citizens and Chinese immigrants with exempt status. The revised 1907 regulations emphasized that these forms were meant as a “privilege, not a requirement” as their usage was not mandated under U.S. law. Return certificates continued to be required of returning Chinese workers, but new forms were also created to align with the updated regulations.
Form 430 for Anna May Wong, Case File 14036/120 (NAID 243636777)
Form 431 for Jung Day, Case File 34/21 (NAID 203234233)
1916 Form 432 for Fong Hin, Case File 30/258 (NAID 280875017)
1935 Form 432 for Rosemary Chew (Slosman), Case File 14036/30 (NAID 5898150)
Each of these forms identified the type of lawful status applied and differed in color. They were also used as a portable certificate and were often noted on ship manifests.
- Form 430 was used for the “Application of Alleged Citizen of the Chinese Race for Pre-Investigation of Status” and was issued on white paper.
- Form 431 was used for the “Application of Lawfully Domiciled Chinese Merchant, Teacher, or Student, for Preinvestigation of Status,” and was issued on blue paper.
- Form 432 was used for the “Application of Lawfully Domiciled Chinese Laborer for Return Certificate” and was initially issued on white paper, but was soon using pink paper to differentiate it from Form 430. This form was updated after 1924 as simply “Return Certificate-Lawfully Domiciled Chinese Laborer” and moved the photograph from the left to the right.
While Form 432 was intended for those who registered for Certificates of Residence, they were also used by others who initially arrived under an exempt status. This included family members of those exempt (for example, wives and children of merchants) as well as individuals whose status changed such as someone who entered as a student and later found employment. In some early cases, Form 431 may also have been used similarly for relatives.
After the Immigration Act of 1924 passed, immigration officials issued reentry permits for all legal residents, including Chinese immigrants under their exempt status. U.S. citizens and those classified as Chinese laborers continued to use Forms 430 and 432 until the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Acts in 1943.
Where can I find these certificates?
Return application forms stand out as one of the most widespread types of certificates issued to Chinese Americans in the early 20th century. Their vibrant colors also make them easily recognizable among immigration papers. Many case files from 1910 onwards contain copies of these forms. But if someone never planned to leave the US, you won’t find any of these forms for them.
Return application forms can be found in many individual immigration files. Some sets of records were created specifically to track these applications, including from the San Francisco and Honolulu offices.
Want to learn more? Continue on to Part Six!