Free Nregroe and mullatoe law
"The registration of free negroe and mullatoes began in Virginia in 1793.
The law required free persons of color to register with the clerk of court in the county where they resided and to carry the free papers with them at all times." Also you had to have a sponsor.
example of registration.
Registration sept, 19, 1861
Sponsor: William H Taylor
reference ccc. order book 1860-1872
age 21, gender: male abstract1741
William Wallace son of Nathanal Wallace
and boy of brown complexion 21 years old
5 feet and a half of inch with small scar on the back right hand, also on the right arm.
now,lets anaylyse the above registration
Firstly, they have to have a sponsor in order to register to be free colored, secondly, not all free coloreds were mullatoes as you can see from the above registration, next, the age of the person was given, and the marks if any on the persons body was given.
Thus, to discuss the free negroe and mullatoe in each state, one must research the free negroe (colored) laws in the specific state of your interest.
Moreover, they had to carry their free documents with them.