Just the Facts
for Genealogy Researchers
People Come, People Go
Immigration is entering a country where you are not a native to take up permanent residence. Your immigrant ancestor is the first person of an ancestral line to settle in a given country. Emigration is leaving a country where you have been a citizen. A person emigrates when they leave a country to reside in another country.
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. It is a two-step process in the United States and takes about five years. The Declaration of Intent (first papers) can be filed after two years of residency. Naturalization and Oath of Allegiance are taken after an additional three years of residency.
Collective naturalization is a process used when a government acquires the territory of a foreign government by treaty or cession, and the inhabitants receive the rights and privileges of citizenship.