My brother-in-law has a copy of his grandmother's Alien Registration Card, the one she filled out in 1940. It contains a photo, thumbprint, physical description, birth date and birthplace. It's a wonderful treasure.

During World War II, aliens were required to register with the government. The Alien Registration Act applied to all non-citizens over the age of fourteen. They went to their local post office and filled out a two-page form. They were given a card to carry with them at all times. This was the card that was kept by my brother-in-law's family as one of their special collectables.

Genealogists who have an ancestor who did not go through the naturalization process should send for a copy of the application. The information on the application form has some really good genealogical data, including the date and port of arrival into the United States.

Registrations from July 1940 to April 1944 are on microfilm and are in custody of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). They are searchable by the USCIS staff by name of the applicant, date of birth, and place of birth. Researchers can obtain copies of the registrations under the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA).

Click here to learn how to make a FOIA request.

If you don't have Internet access, write a letter to INS with a description of your alien ancestor (name, birth date, place of birth.).

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