The Naturalization Process Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the state circuit courts usually administered the naturalization process, which was established by federal law. In Waukesha, the county circuit court also handled naturalization cases. In almost all cases, the applicants for naturalization were men. From 1855 to the Married Woman’s Act of 1922, citizenship was automatically conferred on the wife of any male citizen. Many people filed only a declaration of intention, because, according to the Wisconsin constitution, it was all they needed in order to vote. Three types of records document the naturalization process: declarations of intention, petitions, and certificates of naturalization. A more detailed description of each type can be found here.