Cherokee Nation Registration Offers Nation Citizenship Assistance

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Registration Sites Below

Native Brief: TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is offering assistance in several locations with applications for Cherokee Nation citizenship and Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood cards throughout October, November and December. Representatives from the tribe's Registration Department will be available at convenient local sites to help with applications and information.

In order to obtain a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, applicants must formally apply and provide acceptable legal documents that connect them to an ancestor who is listed with a roll number and a blood degree from the final rolls of citizens of the Cherokee Nation, commonly called the Dawes Final Rolls. These rolls were compiled between the years 1899-1906. Quantum of Indian blood is computed from the nearest paternal and/or maternal direct ancestor(s) of Indian blood listed on the Final Rolls.

Many descendants of Cherokee Indians can neither be certified nor qualify for tribal citizenship in the Cherokee Nation because their ancestors were not enrolled during the final enrollment. Unfortunately, these ancestors did not meet the requirements for the final enrollment. The requirements at that time were:

If the ancestors had separated from the Cherokee Nation and settled in states such as Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri or Texas during that period, they lost their citizenship with the Cherokee Nation. Only enrolled citizens of the Cherokee Nation named on the Final Rolls and/or their descendants are eligible for tribal citizenship and Certificates of Degree of Indian Blood.

The main Cherokee Nation Registration Department is located in the WW Keeler Complex in Tahlequah, 17675 S. Muskogee Ave., and is open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. There is no charge to apply for tribal citizenship. For more information about Cherokee Nation citizenship, please call 918-458-6980.

Below is a complete list of the Registration Department's field site visit dates. The schedule is subject to change due to weather, holidays or emergency situations.

Delaware County:
Nov. 7, Dec. 5
Sam Hider Health Center
1015 Washbourne St., Jay, Okla.
918-253-4271

Sequoyah County:
Oct. 14, Nov. 10, Dec. 9
Sallisaw Sub-office
110 N. Elm, Sallisaw, Okla.
918-775-6226

Dec. 14
Cherokee Community Center
607 N. Main, Muldrow, Okla.
918-427-5440

Rogers County:
Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28
Indian Health Service Hospital
101 S. Moore Ave., Claremore, Okla.
918-342-6200

Tulsa County:
Dec. 19
Cherokee Nation Tag Office
105 E. Main, Collinsville, Okla.
918-371-3265

Craig County:
Dec. 21
Tom Buffington Heights
900 W. McNelis, Vinita, Okla.
918-256-8595

posted October 3, 2011 7:00 am edt