Frequently Asked Questions

What if my search takes longer than 12 weeks?

Another benefit of Italian citizenship is that you can pass it on to your children, giving them the possibility to migrate to any country in the European Union, as needed or desired.

If you are an American who doesn't qualify for the "$70,000 exclusion" or who earns more than $70,000 USD per year, don't worry! Italy and the United States have tax treaties to protect their citizens from dual taxation. The general rule is that you don't pay US tax on foreign-earned income if the foreign tax rate is higher than the US rate. If the foreign rate is lower, you will have to pay US taxes on the difference between these rates. In any case, be sure to file your tax returns every year even if all your income is earned outside of the US!

If you are not a US citizen, it is likely you won't be taxed for any income earned abroad. Check with the nearest Italian authority or a tax attorney for more information.

1. Italian citizens by birth who never became naturalized citizens of their adopted country are eligible for an Italian passport. Since the focus of this site is Italian citizenship jure sanguinis (through ancestry) and not through birth, you must visit Links Page 1: Italian Embassies and Consulates to contact the nearest Italian embassy or consulate for details.
2. Italian citizens who were naturalized in their adopted country prior to August 15, 1992, implicitly renouncing their right to Italian citizenship, can reinstate it by returning to Italy and residing there for at least one year.
3. Italian citizens who became naturalized citizens of their adopted country after August 15, 1992, retained their Italian citizenship unless they expressly renounced it. They are required to personally inform the Italian consulate of becoming citizens within ninety days, or when they reach their 18th birthday, otherwise they risk a fine.

The second law is that citizenship could not be passed from a woman to her children prior to January 1, 1948. That is not to say that citizenship could not be passed TO females prior to 1948; it just could not be passed FROM a mother before January 1, 1948. Using the same example from the previous paragraph, Eleanor Meneghetti, an Italian citizen through her father Massimo, had one daughter, Dale, born in December of 1947 and another daughter, Elena, born in 1951. Citizenship was NOT passed to Dale but WAS passed to Elena. Before January 1, 1948 it was not possible for Eleanor to pass citizenship on to her children, while it was possible after that date.

Citizenship jure sanguinis has no generational limit (provided the Italian ancestor was born after 1861) but may not, under any circumstances, SKIP generations. If you are still not sure whether you qualify, please post your question on the ICGS Message Board. You are certain to get a prompt response from one of our many knowledgeable members.

There are other ways of acquiring Italian citizenship, but none of them nearly as easy as being recognized jure sanguinis. If you're looking to spend just a few years working in Europe and you don't qualify for citizenship through ancestry, you will probably want to take the traditional route and look for a company or school to sponsor your visa. If you are truly committed to becoming an Italian citizen, you may do so after legally living in Italy (i.e. with a visa or stay permit of some sort) for the following periods of time:

• one year if you are have formerly held Italian citizenship
• three years if you are a foreigner with native-born Italian parents or grandparents
• four years if you are a citizen of another EU country
• ten years if you are a citizen of a non-EU country

Note: While being recognized as an Italian citizen jure sanguinis does not affect your current citizenship in most cases (since it was your birthright), becoming an Italian citizen through residence or naturalization may affect your native citizenship. Check with the nearest Italian authority for more information.

Of course, you are also eligible for Italian citizenship if you marry an Italian citizen. If you and your spouse live in Italy, you can apply for citizenship after six months of marriage. If you both live outside of Italy, you can apply after three years of marriage.

There are a few other cases in which Italian citizenship may be granted to a foreigner, such as civil or military service or outstanding service to Italy. For further information, contact the nearest Italian authority.

1. Visit the website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the INS) at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/g-639.htm to request a certificate of naturalization. Download, print, fill out and mail document g-639 (Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request). Read pages two and three for detailed instructions. This statement must show your ancestor's full name (and any other names used on official documents), place of birth, date of birth, date of naturalization and certificate number; if a legal alien, the statement must show the permanent resident card number. You may also need to request a statement from the county in which your ancestor resided.
2. If the research shows no record, double check with the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/index.html, and request a full research under his or her name and nicknames, and possible dates of birth which may have been declared. If the record is found, you will obtain from National Archives a certified copy of your ancestor's Petition for Naturalization and Oath of Allegiance.
3. If the record is still negative, you may want to check with the census at http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/, requesting a survey report dated after the date of birth of your ancestor's child.

1. A statement of "NO RECORDS" from the National Archives. Request a full research under your ancestor's name and nicknames, and possible dates of birth which may have been declared.
2. A survey report from a census dated after the date of birth of your ancestor's child.

• A personal or business check or money order made out to "Italian Citizenship & Genealogy" and mailed to the ICGS location nearest you. Payments sent to the main office in Halifax, Nova Scotia will be processed much more quickly.  

1. A checklist of documents that you will need to gather. Once you've printed this, go to the Qualifying page and click on the category under which you qualify for Italian citizenship. Check off all the certificates you will need, making special note of those that must be affixed with an apostille and translated into Italian.
2. An Application for Italian Citizenship jure sanguinis. If your embassy or consulate has its own application, use theirs. Otherwise, you must verify that they will accept the one provided by ICGS. Citizenship applications for some consulates are available for download on Links Page 1: Italian Embassies and Consulates. Check to see if your embassy or consulate is one of them.
3. A cover letter/declaration of comune, which you can personalize by replacing the italicized text. In this letter you must specify the comune or city hall in Italy where you want your civil status documents to be registered. It could be the comune of your Italian ancestor, the comune where you intend to establish you residency or the Comune of Rome. If you choose to register at the comune of your Italian ancestor, you should find the address and phone number on your Italian ancestor's certificates from Italy.

After 16 weeks, if we are not able to obtain your certificate(s) we will close your order. Your deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. If your certificate arrives at a later date, we will contact you immediately.