How do I find my ancestor’s certificate of naturalization?

Question

We need to locate a copy of my grandfather&rsquo;s naturalization certificate. Can NARA provide a copy of the certificate?

Elizabeth Burnes, National Archives · Accepted Answer

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! 
 In most cases, the National Archives will not have a copy of the certificate of naturalization . Two copies of the certificate were created after September 26, 1906 &ndash; one given to the petitioner as proof of citizenship, and one forwarded by the courts to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). 
 Certificates of naturalization were issued by the federal courts until October 1991 when naturalization became an administrative function under the INS. 
 INS records are now overseen by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS maintains duplicate copies of naturalization records (including certificates) created September 27, 1906&ndash;March 31, 1956 within Certificate Files (C-Files). Beginning April 1, 1956, INS began filing all naturalization records in a subject&rsquo;s Alien File (A-File) . C-Files can be requested through the USCIS Genealogy Program . 
 If a naturalized citizen is seeking their own documentation, they can place a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to USCIS to obtain a copy of their records and/or request a replacement certificate of citizenship from USCIS. 
 We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!

How do I find my ancestor’s certificate of naturalization?

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