Jan. 24, 1795 – Naturalization Act of 1795 Adds Rules to the Citizenship Process

“The act of January 29, 1795 (1 Stat. 414) increased the period of
residence required for citizenship from 2 to 5 years. It also required
applicants to declare publicly their intention to become citizens of the
United States and to renounce any allegiance to a foreign prince,
potentate, state, or sovereignty 3 years before admission as citizens.
Immigrants who had ‘borne any hereditary title, or been of the order of
nobility’ were also required to renounce that status. These actions
could be taken before the supreme, superior, district, or circuit court
of any State or Territory, or before a Federal circuit or district court
of the United States.”