NATURALIZATION COURT

Delaware County Judges have the honor of formally greeting America’s newest citizens and administering their oaths of Naturalization during four programs held at the Courthouse each year.

Our Judges preside over Naturalization Ceremonies.  Each year hundreds of adults and children born in foreign countries pledge their allegiance to the United States.

The ceremony began in 1939 when a delegation of attorneys presented the then President Judge, W. Roger Fronefield, the idea of a ceremony to let the new citizens of Delaware County know the community welcomed them. Judge Fronefield agreed, and the Court now has presided over more than 270 ceremonies.

The Judges enjoy the honor of presiding over Naturalization Court. Either their parents or grandparents became citizens of our country just as these Delaware County residents have become new citizens. Most of the present-day naturalized citizens traveled to America for the same reasons as those people in the early years of our nation.

At Naturalization Court the Judges and the many groups who assist in the ceremonies offer these new citizens a heartwarming greeting on this unique day in their lives.