In 1740, the British Parliament passed an act for the naturalization of non-citizens resident in the American colonies. This act required that the applicant must have resided a minimum of seven years in any American colony. Applicants took an oath of allegiance and professed Christianity before a justice in open court. On taking the oath, the applicant submitted a certificate signed by two witnesses that the applicant had taken communion in a Protestant congregation; Quakers and Jews were exempt from this requirement.
The name of each person naturalized under this method was recorded in an official book of record and in the books of the secretary of the colony. Lists of naturalized persons were supposed to be sent to the Lords Commissioners of Trade, though this practice was not always followed. Naturalizations under this law were recognized in Great Britain and throughout the British Empire.