To register to vote, a naturalized citizen was required to have lived in Illinois for 1 year. The naturalization 2-step process took 5 years. After living in the US for 2 years, the alien filed his declaration of intent ( or "first papers" ). After an additional 3 years, a petition was then filed. The declaration of intent application contains the most geneaolical information. The petition is the naturalization certificate. This certificate states the alien is denouncing his allegiance to (the name of his former country) and pledging allegiance to the United States. It bears the signature of the alien, date, and court in which filed. Chicago Registrations for the years 1888, 1890, and 1892 exist.