Italy’s path to dual citizenship is accessible but intricate. Fulfilling legal requirements is crucial whether in your country, Italy, or via consulates or courts. Generally, Italian citizenship requires documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates, proof of residence, and identity documents. However, documents may vary depending on the chosen route. Here, we will unravel the necessary documentation.
Routes to Italian citizenship
There are several routes to citizenship, including descent (Jus Sanguinis – administrative route), marriage, judicial, and residency (administrative route).
Glossary: terms you need to know
Before gathering any documents, it’s important to understand the key vocabulary used in the Italian citizenship process. Below are the most important definitions.
What is a “long‑form certificate”?
A “long‑form” document for Italian citizenship is a full, unabridged civil record—such as a birth, marriage, or death certificate—that includes all details from the original registry entry, not a short or summary version.
What is the Hague Apostille?
The Hague Apostille is an international certification created under the 1961 Hague Convention to simplify the legalization of public documents for use abroad. For Italian citizenship, all U.S.A. documents must be authenticated with an apostille before being submitted to Italian authorities. In the U.S.A., apostilles are issued either by the Secretary of State for state‑level documents or by the U.S. Department of State for federal documents, depending on where the record originated.
What is the “dante causa”?
The dante causa is the legal term for the Italian ancestor who serves as the starting point of your citizenship lineage. In other words, it is the original Italian citizen from whom your right to citizenship is derived.
For example, if your grandfather was born in Italy and emigrated to the U.S.A., he is the dante causa of your case. All lineage documents are organized beginning with him and continuing down to the applicant.
Under Law 74/2025, former Decree‑Law No. 36/2025, the dante causa must be the applicant’s parent or grandparent. More distant ancestors are no longer eligible for the ordinary descent route.
What is the CNE (Certificate of Non-Existence)?
The CNE – Certificate of Non-Existence is a document issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirming that a specific person did not become a naturalized U.S. citizen. It is one of the most important documents in the Italian citizenship by descent process.
This is crucial because, as of 2026, if your Italian ancestor naturalized as a citizen of another country, you may not be eligible for Italian citizenship. The CNE proves that no such naturalization occurred, preserving the right to citizenship.
The CNE can be requested online through the USCIS platform by filing Form G‑1566.
Genealogical research
In the process of claiming Italian citizenship through descent, it is necessary to construct your family tree back to your Italian ancestor. This genealogical process, or document collection, can be challenging as it may require searching through various sources to complete the puzzle. For that reason, many opt for professional services like io.citizen. With our expertise, we know exactly where and how to search and what steps to take.
Genealogical research at io.citizen is a detailed and carefully planned process designed to uncover your Italian roots. It begins with the analysis of a birth certificate—yours or a family member’s—which provides initial clues about your lineage. The tree is then expanded by investigating each previous generation for birth, marriage, and death certificates, tracing ancestry back to great-great-grandparents.
The company partners with major institutions for access to a wide range of information, including civil and church records, censuses, historical archives, and genealogical databases. They also collaborate with local experts in Italy who help access records not available online. All collected information is cross-checked for accuracy before compiling a detailed final report of your genealogical tree, highlighting interesting stories and details about your ancestors.
Documents for Italian citizenship jus sanguinis
Eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent now depends on strict generational and residency rules: as of March 28, 2025, only individuals whose parent or grandparent was born in Italy—or whose parent lived in Italy for at least two years—qualify under the administrative route. For more information, visit this webpage.
Here are the documents required for Italian citizenship by decent:
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Documents for Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis):
| Required Documents | Ancestors | Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Birth/Baptism Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| Marriage Certificate | Yes | If applicable |
| Divorce Certificate | If applicable | If applicable |
| Death Certificate | Yes | No |
| Identity Document | No | Yes |
| Proof of Residence | No | Yes |
| Genealogical Tree | No | Yes |
Italian citizenship by descent, also known as jus sanguinis, is a pathway to citizenship based on one’s ancestral lineage. Many individuals around the world seek to reclaim their Italian heritage and enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. This process offers various opportunities, such as the right to live, work, and study in Italy and other EU countries, access to healthcare, and a deeper connection to one’s roots.
For US citizens, in case your ancestor naturalized to another citizenship, you must gather the declarations of intentions, petition for naturalization and the certificate of naturalization. If your ancestor never naturalized to another citizenship, you will have to gather the certificate of non-existence of records that certifies that your ancestor did not become the citizen of another country.
Application process
Once all the necessary documents are gathered, the application process can begin. Here are the detailed steps:
- Submit the application: Depending on your location, submit your application either at the Italian consulate in your country or directly at the local municipality (comune) in Italy where your ancestor was born.
- Prepare for the interview: An interview may be required to verify your documents and confirm your eligibility. Be prepared to answer questions about your lineage and the documentation provided.
- Pay the fees: There are administrative fees associated with the application, which will be charged by the consulate or comune. The fee at the consulate is €300, as of July 8th, 2024.
- Wait for Processing: The processing time can vary significantly, from a few months to several years, depending on the consulate or comune handling your application.
Documents for Citizenship by Marriage:
To qualify, you must have been married to an Italian citizen for at least three years, or 18 months if you have children, with no distinction between heterosexual and same-sex couples. The documents you typically need to prepare and present include:
| Required Documents | Italian spouse | Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Birth/Baptism Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| Marriage Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| Italian language proficiency test | No | Yes |
| Identity Document | Yes | Yes |
| Proof of Residence | Yes | Yes |
It is important to highlight that:
- If required, a certificate demonstrating B1 level proficiency in Italian.
- Additional documentation: depending on the case, additional documents may be necessary, such as birth records of children, if applicable.
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Documents for Citizenship by Residency (Administrative route):
An applicant who legally resides in Italy for a required period may request naturalization and obtain Italian citizenship. Visit this webpage for more information.
Below are the documents typically needed to apply for Italian nationality through residency or naturalization:
- Birth certificate (or baptism record)
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce certificate (if applicable)
- Identity document
- Passport
- Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit)
Gathering documents
Collecting these documents can be a daunting task, but a methodical approach can simplify the process. Start by identifying the Italian ancestor through family records or genealogical research. Contact relevant authorities in Italy to obtain birth, marriage, and death certificates. You can request them at the Stato Civile or Anagrafe office in the commune where the event occurred. You don’t have to be there in person, but you must contact them through mail, email, or any online system the comune may have. For documents from other countries, reach out to the appropriate civil registry offices or archives. Be prepared for potential challenges, such as lost records or language barriers. In such cases, consider hiring a professional genealogist or a legal expert who specializes in Italian citizenship cases.
Application process – how to apply for Italian Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis)
1. Confirm your eligibility
You must meet the conditions set by Law 91/1992 as amended: being born to an Italian parent, already recognized as Italian before March 27, 2025, or being the child or grandchild of someone who held only Italian citizenship. A parent may also qualify you if they lived in Italy for two consecutive years before your birth.
2. Gather all required certificates
Collect the Italian birth certificate of your parent or grandparent, plus long‑form, legalized, and translated birth, marriage, and death certificates for every person in the direct line. Include proof that your Italian ancestor never naturalized—or their naturalization records if they did.
3. Complete and apostille all forms
Download the citizenship application and Forms 1–4 from the consulate website. Fill them out within six months of your appointment, notarize them in your state of residence, and legalize each with an apostille.
4. Prepare supporting documents and payment
Add a copy of your passport, proof of residence, and your appointment confirmation. Prepare the consular fee as a money order or cashier’s check made out to the appropriate Consulate General.
5. Book and confirm your Prenot@mi appointment
Create an account on Prenot@mi, select Cittadinanza per Discendenza – iure sanguinis, and book a virtual appointment. Confirm it in the portal 10–3 days before the scheduled date. Waiting‑list applicants must accept the date offered within the system’s deadline.
6. Mail your application on the appointment day
Do not go to the consulate in person. On the day of your appointment, mail your complete application by certified mail. The envelope must show your name, address, appointment date, and Prenot@mi request code. Applications mailed early are rejected.
7. Wait for processing and the final decision
The consulate will email a payment confirmation and process your case within legal time limits. You will receive the outcome by email. All documents remain with the consulate and are not returned.
Potential challenges
Navigating the path to Italian citizenship by descent is not without its hurdles. Common challenges include obtaining accurate and complete documentation, dealing with bureaucratic delays, and addressing discrepancies in records. Applicants may also face issues related to naturalization records and the need for translations and apostilles. To mitigate these challenges, consider seeking legal assistance from professionals specializing in Italian citizenship, such as io.citizen. They can provide guidance, expedite the process, and offer valuable resources.
Useful contacts and resources
To assist you further, here are essential contacts and official sources related to the Italian citizenship process:
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Official portal with contact information for Italian consulates worldwide.
- Hague Conference on Private International Law — Authoritative source explaining the Apostille Convention and apostille requirements.
- Comune offices — For applicants in Italy, the local municipality where your ancestor was born handles vital record registration.
- Online communities — Forums and social media groups dedicated to Italian citizenship by descent, offering shared experiences and peer support.