Many Americans feel a strong connection to their Italian roots, a call that goes beyond family history and often translates into a concrete desire to obtain Italian citizenship. Whether it is to rediscover the country of their ancestors, to facilitate travel and stays in Europe, or to seize study and work opportunities, Italian citizenship offers a significant bridge between the United States and Italy. But how do you begin this journey from America?
This article is intended for Americans interested in applying for Italian citizenship, exploring the most common routes to obtaining it and providing practical advice for navigating the process.
Two Main Paths: Iure Sanguinis and Naturalization
For a US citizen, there are two main ways to become an Italian citizen:
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Iure Sanguinis (Right of Blood): This is the most popular route for Americans with Italian ancestry. It is based on the principle that citizenship is passed from father to son (and in some specific cases, from mother to son) without generational limits, as long as the chain of transmission has never been legally interrupted (for example, by the ancestor renouncing Italian citizenship before the birth of the next descendant).
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Naturalization by Residence or Marriage: This option is for those who have no direct blood ties or cannot prove them. It requires a period of legal residence in Italy (usually 10 years for non-EU citizens, but there are reductions in some cases, for example 4 years for EU citizens or 3 years for descendants of Italian citizens born in Italy or their descendants up to the second degree) or marriage/civil union with an Italian citizen.
Focus on Iure Sanguinis: Finding Your Roots
Most Americans who apply for Italian citizenship do so through ius sanguinis . The process, although potentially lengthy and complex, allows one to reaffirm an ancestral bond with Italy.
The Key Requirements:
- Proving Ancestry: It is essential to prove your blood relationship to an Italian ancestor. This requires collecting birth, marriage, and death certificates for each person in the line of descent, starting from the Italian ancestor and ending with the applicant.
- No Interruptions: It must be proven that the Italian ancestor never renounced his Italian citizenship before the birth of his next descendant in direct line. The ancestor's certificate of non-naturalization (or naturalization date) is a crucial document.
- The 1948 Rule: For lines of descent that include a woman, the transmission of citizenship through the maternal line is recognized only for children born on or after January 1, 1948. Situations prior to that date may require judicial recourse in Italy. It is important to check the current regulations and any recent legislative updates that may affect the requirements.
Necessary Documentation:
Collecting documents is often the most challenging phase. You will need:
- Civil status certificates (birth, marriage, death) of all ancestors in direct line, including non-Italian ones.
- Certificate of non-naturalization (or copy of the certificate of naturalization) of the Italian ancestor who emigrated to the United States.
- For US documents: they must be certified copies, provided with an Apostille (according to the 1961 Hague Convention) and translated into Italian by a sworn translator.
Where to Apply:
Americans residing in the United States must apply for recognition of Italian citizenship by ius sanguinis at the Italian Consulate competent for their area of residence. Waiting lists for consular appointments can be very long.
Alternatively, you can consider the possibility of transferring your residence to Italy and submitting the application directly to the Italian Municipality of residence. This option can in some cases speed up the process, but obviously requires the transfer and management of residency practices.
Naturalization: Residency and Marriage
If the requirements for ius sanguinis are not met, citizenship can be requested through naturalization:
- For Marriage or Civil Union: After 2 years of marriage/civil union with an Italian citizen if you are legally resident in Italy, or after 3 years if you are resident abroad (the terms are reduced in the presence of children). Knowledge of the Italian language at a B1 level is required.
- For Residence: After a period of legal and continuous residence in Italy. The duration varies based on nationality and other factors, but is generally 10 years for non-EU citizens. Also in this case, knowledge of the Italian language at B1 level is required.
Applications for naturalization by marriage or residency are submitted online through the portal of the Italian Ministry of the Interior and subsequently managed by the competent Prefecture or the Consulate if residing abroad.
Common Challenges and Helpful Tips
Regardless of the path chosen, the path to Italian citizenship can present challenges:
- Waiting Times: Both Consulates and procedures in Italy can have long processing times.
- Document Complexity: Collecting and legalizing documents requires precision and attention to detail. Errors or incompleteness can cause delays or rejections.
- Interpretative Differences: The application of the rules, in particular for the ius sanguinis , may vary slightly between different Consulates.
Advice for Americans:
- In-Depth Research: Find out in detail about the specific requirements of the Consulate competent for your area or the Municipality in Italy where you intend to reside.
- Methodical Organization: Create an organized folder for all necessary documents.
- Get Started Early: Researching ancestors and requesting certificates can be time-consuming.
- Consider Professional Assistance: Considering the idea of reaching out to professionals (lawyers or agencies specializing in Italian citizenship) can be helpful in navigating the complexity of the procedure, especially in cases with particularities (e.g. 1948 rule, missing documents).
- Patience and Perseverance: The process requires patience. Keep calm and follow the instructions carefully.
Obtaining Italian citizenship is an achievable goal for many Americans with ties to Italy. It takes commitment, research, and attention to detail, but the payoff—the ability to hold dual citizenship and strengthen your connection to a rich cultural heritage—is a goal worth pursuing. Good luck on your journey to Italian citizenship!