By the time our Kinser ancestors were ready to leave Germany the loss of citizens, particularly those with skills, had influenced the passage of laws requiring certain documents of any person wishing to emigrate. Most commonly the prospective emigrant appeared before the local magistrate and requested a passport and before his minister for a certificate attesting to his good standing in the local church. These may or may not be granted based on the desires of the local authorities.
William Penn and others actively solicited immigrants to the American colonies sending emissaries to distribute pamphlets and otherwise influence potential immigrants to leave the continent and travel to the Colonies.
Following are examples of the typical documents needed by an emigrant:

"Whereas Hans Jakob Küntzer and his wife Anna Maria and their child, in view of improving their condition and in furtherance of their prosperity, purpose to emigrate from Wolfersweiler in the mayoralty of the Saare, via Holland and England, to the island of Pennsylvania, to reside there, they have requested an accredited certificate that they left the town of Wolfersweiler with the knowledge of the proper authorities, and have deported themselves peaceably and without cause for censure, and are indebted to no one and are not subject to vassalage, being duly solicited, it has been thought proper to grant their petition, declaring that the above named persons are not moving away clandestinely--that during the time they resided in this place they behaved themselves piously and honestly--that if would have been highly gratifying to us to see them remain among us--that they are not subject to bodily bondage, the mayoralty not being subject to vassalage--they have also paid for their permission to emigrate, Mr. ______ the mayor of Wolfersweiler being expressly interrogated, it has been ascertained that they are not liable for any debts, in witness thereof, I have, in the absence of the counselor of the Saarland, &C., signed these presents and given the same to the persons who intended to emigrate.
Dated this Twelfth of March, 1737.
Signed. _________________ Court Clerk.

A typical pastor's letter: 

Certificate for Hans Jakob Küntzer and Family
We, the pastor, Elders, and Deacons of the Lutheran Church of Wolfersweiler, having been requested by the Honorable Hans Jakob Küntzer and his wife Anna Maria Seibert, to grant them a testimonial of their life and religion, do certify and attest that they have always made profession of the pure Lutheran religion, frequented our sacred assemblies, and have partaken of the Supper of the Lord with other members of the faith; in addition to which they have always conducted themselves uprightly without having given any cause for scandal, that has come to our knowledge; being now on their departure to settle elsewhere, we commend them to the protection of God, and to the kindness of all our brethren in the Lord Christ.
In witness of which we have signed this present testimonial, with our signatures and usual marks.
Done at Wolfersweiler in our consistory, this 15th of March, 1737.
Signed

Michael Mesimer,
Johan Harman, Pastor and Inspector,
Walther Schiller, Deacon,
Jakob Smidt, Deacon

The under named child, to wit; Jakob Bernhard Küntzer, was baptized in the Church in Wolfersweiler in the year 1736, on the 25 of November.
His sponsors were Andrew and Elizabeth Mueller, both of Wolfersweiler.

 © R. C. Kinser   Last update February 20, 2007
www.kinser.org