Frequently Asked Questions
Will Italian Dual Citizenship by descent affect my US citizenship?
Being recognized as an Italian citizen will not affect your current US citizenship.
What if my Italian ancestor became a US citizen prior to June 14, 1912?
If your Italian ancestor naturalized before June 14, 1912, you do not qualify for Italian citizenship even if his or her child (your intermediate ancestor) was born before this individual naturalized.
Is there a military obligation when I become an Italian citizen?
Military service became entirely voluntary effective January 2007.
If I am an Italian citizen, can I live and work in other European countries?
Yes. Having an Italian passport allows you to live and work anywhere in the EU. And any person holding the nationality of a member state is a citizen of the Union. EU citizenship grants citizens the right to move freely and to reside in the territory of the member states.
How long does this process take?
It can take up to 12 months to gather all the required documents and Apostille. Waiting times for appointments can vary from 6 months to 2 or more years depending on your consulate jurisdiction. Once the Italian Consulate accepts your application, it takes on average 6 months for your information is registered in Italy. After which you can apply for your Italian passport. The entire process could take up to 2 – 3 years.
Can I apply for citizenship in Italy or through another Consulate?
You must apply at the Italian Consulate that has jurisdiction over where you live in the US. You are required to present a copy of your Driver’s License/State ID, passport and utility bill with current address at the time of your citizenship appointment You can only apply for citizenship in Italy if you are a permanent legal resident of Italy.
I was born after January 1, 1948, my mother was born in the United States, and my maternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of my mother’s birth and neither I nor my mother ever renounced Italian citizenship. Am I entitled for Italian citizenship?
Yes. However, if your maternal grandfather naturalized before your mother’s birth, you and your mother are not entitled to Italian citizenship.
I was born in Italy to non-Italian citizens, legal permanent residents of Italy at the time of my birth. Now I live in the United States. Am I eligible for Italian citizenship?
No. Most Italian citizenship bases itself on “jure sanguinis” (bloodline). As a general rule, foreigners born in Italy are not automatically Italian.
I am a foreigner married to an Italian citizen. Am I entitled to Italian citizenship?
If your marriage is before April 26th, 1983, the foreign wife automatically acquired Italian citizenship. In the case of marriages celebrated after April 26th, 1983, both husband and wife may obtain Italian citizenship after six months of marriage if the couple resides in Italy and after three years if they reside abroad.