Eligibility

1. Find out if you are eligible

Eligibility criteria for Italian citizenship by descent

1. You descent from Italians

The applicant must have an ancestor who was formally recognized as an Italian citizen (e.g., born in Italy).

2. Verify the ancestor's death date

The 1861 Rule: This Italian ancestor must have passed away after 17 March 1861 (the date of Italy's unification).

3. Was there a naturalization?

The 1912 Rule: Ancestors naturalized on or after August 15, 1992 transmit their citizenship, but they must not have naturalized before July 1, 1912, otherwise they could not transmit citizenship to their children even if they were born before their naturalization (the child must be over the age of 21 to transmit citizenship). If your ancestor naturalized in your home country between July 1, 1912 and August 15, 1992, and if their national-born child was already born, you may qualify for citizenship.

4. Are there any females in your bloodline?

If any of your Italian ancestors along the direct bloodline was a woman, then we need to make sure her son/daughter was born AFTER 1948. Otherwise, if she gave birth to her descendant before 1948, the available procedure to obtain formal recognition of Italian citizenship is a judicial proceeding before the Tribunal of Rome. A consular or town hall application therefore is not possible.

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2. Prepare your documents

Genealogy research and procurement of documents

Genealogy research holds a pivotal role in the Italian citizenship application process, serving as a bridge that connects individuals to their ancestral roots. Acquiring your vital records plays a crucial role in establishing and substantiating your eligibility for citizenship. However, locating and getting a hold of the vital records of your Italian ancestor from an Italian registry office or church can prove a lengthy task if you don't have your ancestor's full details or don't speak Italian.

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Reviewing your vital records to confirm your eligibility

Once you have finished locating and procuring your vital records, ensuring accurate details, such as birthplace, your ancestor's naturalization status, if there's a female relative in the direct line of descent, or their registration as an alien during census, serves as fundamental evidence for your citizenship qualification.


Don't forget to use our eligibility assessment tool to help you confirm your eligibility to Italian citizenship.

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Amending/correcting your documents

Discrepancies in vital records for Italian citizenship applications are very common, and can be categorized as low, medium, and high impact. Low-impact discrepancies involve minor changes in names, often post-immigration, and usually don't need amendments. Medium-impact discrepancies include changes due to marriage, slight name misspellings, name adaptations and require amendments or court orders. High-impact discrepancies encompass major name changes, birthdate discrepancies, or multiple medium-impact issues, often requiring amendments or court orders. Contact us to know more about your case.

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Legalization of documents through Apostille

Apostille is the legalization or authentication of your documents issued by a federal agency. This is the only way Italian town halls can be sure your documents are official and valid. The US Secretary of State, for example, is responsible for validating state-based records in the US. For applications at your local consulate, you may want to confirm which documents require an Apostille. The Apostille does not require any translation.


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Certified translations

Certified translations of your certificates is a requirement for both Italian town hall and cosulate-level citizenship applications. However, the naturalization records of your Italian ancestor through whom you are claiming citizenship does not need to be translated. Certified translations can be done through different methods: by a professional certified translator overseas before a recognized public authority, like a U.S. Notary Public; by an Italian consulate abroad; by a professional translator in front of an Italian court official; or before an Italian Notary Public. 


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3. Apply

There are 3 main ways of applying for Italian dual citizenship by decent:


  • Applying at a town hall in Italy

Applications deposited at a town hall in Italy is the fastest way of applying for citizenship, allowing you to get your Italian citizenship just in a few months.


  • Applying at a local consulate in your home/residency country

Consulate-level citizenship applications usually take from 2 to 7 years for processing in the US, and even over a decade in Brazil.


  • Applying via court

An application via judicial court is not a choice, it's the sole route for those whose female relative's son or daughter was born before 1948.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Genealogy research

Our genealogy research services are tailored to assist individuals - who can't speak Italian, don't have the time or don't know where to start - in procuring not only their own vital records within their home country but also locating and helping to procure the crucial records of their Italian ancestors in Italy. This service not only facilitates the acquisition of Italian citizenship but also offers a profound journey of self-discovery, unveiling the stories and origins that shape your identity. 


Our expertise in tracing genealogical connections offers a valuable opportunity to explore personal heritage, enabling a deeper understanding of familial roots and connections that span across borders. Our team on the ground covers the whole territory in Italy!

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Assisting you to obtain your documents

We are here to assist you in evaluating your requirements and guiding you on how you can procure all the necessary documents required for your Italian citizenship application as well as your ancestor's naturalization status records in your home country.


We can also help you obtain your Italian ancestor's documents. Our team on the ground covers Italy's whole territory to ensure that we can locate your ancestor's vital records and help you get it delivered as soon as possible.

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Guidance on amending/correcting your documents

Correcting discrepancies and erros in your own and your relatives' documents can be a time-consuming task. It's usually the function of the vital statistics office, which is responsible for issuing the record, to amend/correct discrepancies, but a court order might be required to process the amendment in records of deceased individuals, especially in some states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, and New York in the US.


This is where Passport-Euro comes into play with our specialized support to guide you throughout your whole amendment process, ensuring time efficiency and the best taken route.

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Assistance on Apostille authentication

An Apostille is required to certify the authenticity of the signature and stamps on your vital records and documents. All certificates/documents issued in your home country must be duely apostilled for your citizenship application at a town hall in Italy or at a local consulate.


But worry not! We are here to review all your documents, make sure they are correct, and guide you so you can submit them to the right authorities for the Apostille authentication.

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Certified translations

We provide professional certified translation services in case you need to translate any of your documents from any language to Italian. The service's pricing depends on the Italian documents requiring translation, and we usually have a set price per type of certificate or adopt a per-page price for other documents.


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DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START?

We have a workshop just for you!

No matter in which stage you are at,

we can help you get started

1. Getting to know you

  • getting to know each other
  • finding where you are with things for your citizenship application
  • knowing your needs
  • finding out how we can support you


2. Choosing the right path for you

  • presenting you the complete step by step journey according to the citizenship route you'd like to take
  • picking a citizenship and/or housing package as per your needs

3. Clarifying all your doubts

  • clarifying all your doubts and questions
  • or jump right into the pressing points you have in mind!


4. Getting started!

  • we discuss and agree on a plan for you
  • we'll sign a contract
  • you'll make the payment
  • we'll get you on track to get your Italian citizenship as soon as possible

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is it possible to hold dual citizenship?

    That will depend on your country. Although the United States doesn't formally recognize dual citizenship, there are no legal barriers against it. Holding citizenship elsewhere doesn't lead to loss of original citizenship. Getting Italian dual citizenship is also possible if you are a national of Brazil, Canada, and Australia for example. Contact us for more information.

  • Do I meet the criteria for Italian dual citizenship?

    Most individuals of Italian descent are eligible for Italian citizenship. To qualify, your Italian ancestor should not have naturalized prior to their child's birth in the US before 1912. If a female ancestor is involved, her child must be born after January 1, 1948. Some cases require unique assessments.


  • What documents are needed for Italian citizenship?

    This will depend on who in your direct bloodline is transmitting Italian citizenship. Usually you will need birth/marriage/death certificates of all relatives up to the Italian ancestor, plus their naturalization status records. Please check our free document checklist tool to get the full list of documents required.

  • How can I gain dual citizenship in Italy?

    If you can prove legitimate Italian ancestry, you can lawfully pursue dual citizenship. Italy has allowed dual citizenship with the US since 1992, and renouncing original citizenship isn't necessary. The same applies to Brazil, Canada and Australia.

  • What's the residency requirement for Italian citizenship?

    Meeting the residency criteria is necessary for different citizenship application routes. EU citizens might qualify after four years, while non-EU citizens require ten years. However, Italian heritage may shorten this timeframe to just a few months when you register your residency in Italy.

  • Is dual citizenship permissible in Italy?

    Yes, Italy allows dual nationality, and you don't have to renounce any other citizenship during the process. Proving Italian ties enables application for Italian citizenship.

  • Can I live in Italy?

    People from the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada (and other countries) can stay in Italy visa-free for up to ninety days (3 months), but working during this period isn't allowed. A business visa or residency is required for employment. Those able to sustain themselves without work can apply for an elective residence visa. If you would like to work during your citizenship waiting time, you would have to convert your residency permit to a work visa, which is currently a possibility - always depending on the date you get your 1-year residency permit awaiting citizenship.

  • What's the cost of living in Italy?

    Italy's cost of living is affordable due to the European financial situation. Despite this, it offers prestigious universities and high-quality medical services, free for citizens. In some regions in Italy, such as Calabria, the cost of living can be even lower compared to other regions in the north of the country.

  • Can I work in Italy?

    Prior to working in Italy, individuals need a business visa (work permit) secured through their employer, or convert their residency visa awaiting citizenship to a work visa.

  • Can I purchase property in Italy?

    Yes, non-EU residents need a valid residence permit to buy property in Italy. Reciprocity allows Americans and other nationals to buy property in Italy without Italian residency.

  • Can I retire in Italy?

    While US and other citizens can stay visa-free for up to ninety days (3 months), those planning to retire or reside without working should apply for an elective residency visa.

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