By Parviz Malakouti-Fitzgerald, Esq.
You can apply for a passenger arrival (i.e. “ship manifest”) record from the U.S. National Records Archive (“NARA”). This can be useful for certain European citizenship by descent applications, or for general genealogical research.
The first step is to go to The National Records Archive website. Create an account and sign in.
→ Then click “Order Reproductions.”
→ Then click “Immigration & Naturalization Records.”
→ Then click “Passenger Arrival Records (NATF 81).”
→ Then select a delivery method and select “Add to Cart.” If you are using this document for official purposes, you may need to select “Certified Paper Copy (Additional $15).”
At the next screen, you need to select 1) the state of entry, 2) port of entry and 3) year of arrival.
Note: For many, the first two selections will be “New York” and “New York (Ellis Island.”
At the next screen, you’ll need to fill out personal information of the individual arriving.
Then finally, at the next screen, you pay and complete the order.
Once you’ve placed your order, you’ll get a confirmation email from OrderOnlinePM@nara.gov with your 1) order number, 2) order total, 3) submission date and 4) delivery method.
Below is a picture of a certified copy of a passenger arrival record. You can also order the ship arrival record by MAIL, following the instructions here.
(NARA Passenger Arrival Record)
Good luck!
The Law Office of Parviz Malakouti does not guarantee the accuracy of information presented nor assume responsibility for actions taken in reliance of this information. The information in this page could become outdated. Each immigration case is particular and you should consult with a qualified, licensed immigration lawyer about your case before taking any steps.
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