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).
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.
Take advantage of specialized assistance to secure your passport for a borderless future.
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 |
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.
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.
Take advantage of specialized assistance to secure your passport for a borderless future.
Documents for Citizenship by Residency (Administrative route):
Similar to the descent process, with the addition of the Codice Fiscale (tax code) and proof of residence in Italy.
All documents must be complete (full content certificate), translated into Italian by a sworn translator, and authenticated with an apostille. For more detailed information, access “How to obtain Italian citizenship”.
