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Naturalization of Alien Immigrants

When: 1740
Where: American colonies
Episodes: 1

The Plantation Act 1740, enacted by the Parliament of Great Britain, granted British nationality to Protestant aliens residing in American colonies. Effective 1 June 1740, it required seven years of residence and specific declarations to deem them natural-born subjects, aiming to systematize procedures and encourage immigration.

Episodes

1 June 1740 · American coloniesEffective Date and Conditions
The act became effective on 1 June 1740, requiring seven years of residence and specific declarations for Protestant aliens to gain natural-born subject status.

Background and detail

Eligibility and Requirements. The act became effective on 1 June 1740. It allowed Protestant aliens residing in American colonies for seven years, with no absence exceeding two months, to be deemed natural-born subjects. Applicants had to make declarations regarding royal allegiance, succession, and Christian faith, and pay two shillings.

People involved

Parliament of Great Britain · Legislative body enacting the law
Protestant aliens in American colonies · Beneficiaries of naturalization

Sources

Plantation Act 1740 Wikipedia, revision of 2026-06-16

Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.