Basic (09-87)
The location of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records pertaining to a foreign born claimant is determined by two factors:
Whether the claimant is an alien or a naturalized citizen, and
If an alien, the date of arrival in the U.S., or if naturalized, the date of naturalization.
This chart summarizes the information on sources of DHS records given in GN 00302.920 - GN 00302.940 below. For more specific information pertaining to each source, refer to the appropriate section.
An alien
Arrived in U.S. before 7/1/24
Arrival record
DHS Verification Center (GN 00302.920)
Alien registration record
DHS District Office (GN 00302.920)
Arrived in U.S. after 6/30/24
Arrival information, including visas and supporting documents
Alien registration records
DHS District Office (GN 00302.930)
A naturalized citizen
Was naturalized before 4/1/56
DHS Verification Center; if not available there, see GN 00302.920 for subsequent action
Alien registration record (if an alien at a time of 1940 registration or later)
DHS District Office (GN 00302.940)
Petition for naturalization, naturalization record, etc.
U.S. District Court or other court of record, or
Naturalized after 3/31/56
Arrival information including visas and supporting documents
DHS District Office; if not available there, may be obtained from DHS Verification Center
DHS District office (GN 00302.940)
DHS District Office, or
US District Court or other court of record (GN 00302.940).
Beginning 6/1/74, all petitions for naturalization over 10 years old filed in Detroit, MI U.S. District Court are transferred to the Federal Records Center.