If you have Italian ancestry and wish to obtain Italian citizenship, your grandparents can play a crucial role. If one or both of your grandparents are/were Italian, in order to become an Italian citizen you must provide proof that you have Italian ancestry.
Exploring Jure Sanguinis
Italian citizenship through descent operates under the principle of ‘jus sanguinis,’ or ‘right of blood.’ This legal concept enables individuals of Italian descent to assert their Italian citizenship. It acknowledges that citizenship can be inherited across generations based on lineage, rather than solely on place of birth.
Once obtained, Italian citizenship confers all the rights and privileges enjoyed by native-born Italians, including eligibility for a European Union passport.
Application Routes
Within the process of obtaining Italian citizenship, you can proceed through three distinct routes:
- Administrative Route: Apply at an Italian consulate. This route involves submitting your application and supporting documents directly to the consulate. It is the slowest route to obtain, taking several years to complete.
- Judicial Route: Apply through the courts. If you want to speed up the process, face challenges or require legal assistance, this route enables you to seek a court decision confirming your eligibility. Usually, it is the most cost-effective route and the only option in some cases, such as 1948 cases, when your closest Italian relative is your grandmother, and she must have given birth to the next in line (your mother or your father) on or after January 1st, 1948. If not, you’ll need to seek the judicial route.
- Residency in Italy: Apply while residing in Italy. If you intend to live in Italy, you can apply for citizenship after meeting residency criteria.
Documentation Needed:
Obtain the following documents (ensure they are newly issued, certified, authenticated with an apostille, and translated to Italian):
- Your grandfather’s birth record
- Your grandmother’s birth record
- Your grandparents’ marriage record
- Proof of your grandparent’s naturalization or evidence that they never naturalized
- Death certificate for the relevant grandparent
- Your father’s birth record
- Your mother’s birth record
- Your parents’ marriage record
- Death certificate for the parent in your direct line of eligibility
- Your own birth record
- Your marriage record (if applicable)
- Divorce decrees for you, your parents, or your grandparents (if relevant)
- Records of additional marriages (if applicable)
Take advantage of specialized assistance to secure your passport for a borderless future.
Forms and Applications
When choosing the consular route or the residency route you must fill out the necessary forms for your application. For more information, contact the nearest Italian consulate or the commune in Italy where you reside for detailed guidance.
For more detailed step by step access to our article about “obtaining Italian citizenship”.
Expert Assistance and judicial route
While the process can be complex, with the right documentation and persistence, you can successfully claim Italian citizenship through your grandparents. Consider seeking expert assistance, such as io.citizen, to navigate this journey. Our team of experts is ready to help make your dream of Italian dual citizenship come true. Contact us today!
