Trace Your Native Ancestry

There are 574 federally recognized and 66 state-recognized tribes in the United States. You can find a list of these tribes here.

To determine your eligibility for membership in a federally recognized tribe, you must contact the specific tribe(s) from which you claim ancestry. Each tribe sets its own enrollment requirements.

Below are key resources to help you trace your Native ancestry and understand the enrollment process:

  • Tribal Enrollment & CDIB - Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal enrollment information and CDIB application.

  • Ancestry Research – General guidelines for tracing your Native American or Alaska Native heritage for tribal enrollment.

  • Genealogical Research – Information on where to look for historical records to support your ancestry claims.

  • Enrollment Process – A general overview of the steps involved in enrolling in a federally recognized tribe.

  • Benefits & Services – Details on benefits and services available to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

  • Cherokee Ancestry – Information on the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes and their specific enrollment requirements.

  • Dawes Rolls – The Dawes Commission (1893–1907) documented applications for tribal enrollment from members of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma).

  • Contacting a Tribal Entity – Access the BIA Tribal Leaders Directory for official tribal contacts.

For additional guidance, consider reaching out to a tribal enrollment office or a genealogical research center specializing in Native American ancestry.