Do I need to translate my documents into Italian? YES. The Consulate does not provide
translation for any documents. For a list of translators please click here. If a translator is used,
his/her signature must be notarized along with associated Apostille.
Do I need to affix an apostille to my translations? YES. You need to affix an Apostille to the
translator’s signature.
I am a foreigner married to an Italian citizen. Am I entitled to Italian citizenship? If you are a
woman and you married before April 26th, 1983, you automatically acquired Italian citizenship
at the moment of marriage. After April 26th, 1983, either husband or wife may acquire Italian
citizenship after two years of marriage if the couple resides in Italy and after three years if they
reside abroad. In both cases you need to file an application.
I became an American citizen by naturalization before August 16th, 1992. Can I reacquire my
Italian citizenship? Yes, by declaring you intend to do so, and taking up residence in an Italian
Comune within one year from such declaration.
I became an American citizen after August 15th, 1992. Did I lose my Italian citizenship? No.
Those who acquired a foreign nationality after the above-mentioned date have retained their
Italian citizenship.
I was born in the US but I have an Italian direct ascendant. Am I entitled to dual citizenship? You
might, but this is a case-by-case matter. We need to check the original documents along with
you and ascertain if you are eligible or not. Please Note: those who were born before January 1,
1948 may obtain Italian citizenship only through paternal direct ascendants.
I was born in the United States, my father was an Italian citizen at the time of my birth and I
have never renounced my Italian citizenship. Am I entitled to Italian citizenship? Yes.
I was born in the United States after January 1, 1948, I have never renounced my Italian
citizenship, and my mother was an Italian citizen at the time of my birth. Am I entitled to Italian
citizenship? Yes.
My father was born in the U.S. and my paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of
my father’s birth and neither I nor my father ever renounced Italian citizenship. Am I entitled to
Italian citizenship? Yes.
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 to Italian citizenship? Yes.
I was born in Italy to non-Italian citizens who were permanent residents of Italy at the time of
my birth. Now I live in the United States. Am I eligible to Italian citizenship? No. Italian
citizenship is based on “jure sanguinis” (blood line). As a general rule, foreigners born in Italy are
not automatically Italian.
I am an Italian citizen and I naturalized American. Should I inform the Consulate? Yes. You may
do so by presenting the following documents: certificate of naturalization, italian passport or
Italian certificate of birth and passport or any other valid I.D. You can also register it by mail,
providing certified true copies of the above mentioned documents.
