Finding out if you qualify for Italian dual citizenship
Determining whether or not you qualify for Italian dual citizenship is rather easy. Italian citizenship
is acquired through no limit to generations or time, except for four rules:
1. The Italian unification rule. Your ancestor must have been born in an Italian territory and must
either still be alive or passed away after Italian unification (March 17, 1861). For example, if your
ancestor was born in Italy in 1840 but died anywhere in the world after the above date, you may be
eligible.
2. The 1948 rule. If your ancestor is female, she must have had her child after January 1, 1948.
Before this date, Italian citizenship was only passed from father to child. For example, if your Italian
ancestor is your grandmother, she must have had either your mother or father after January 1, 1948
for your claim to citizenship to be valid.
3. The naturalization after birth rule. Your ancestor must not have naturalized as a citizen of
another country before his or her child (through which you are applying) was born.
4. The 1912 Rule. Italian law states, “Italian citizens naturalized before July 1, 1912 could not
transmit citizenship to their children even if they were born before their naturalization.” This means
that if your ancestor naturalized any time before July 1, 1912, you may not be eligible for dual
citizenship.
Note: The above rules have successfully been challenged in Italian courts, though you will
need to hire a lawyer and there is no guarantee of obtaining citizenship.
If you ancestor falls into any other category (i.e. born in an Italian territory, naturalized after his/her
child’s birth and – if female – had that child after January 1, 1948), congratulations! You may be
eligible! Please note that this guide only goes back to paternal great grandfather, but that in
theory, Italian citizenship may be passed down from even further generations (great, great
grandparents, etc.) as long as they meet the above criteria. In this manner, use this as a
guide to determine which documents you’ll need, regardless of relationship or generation.
Before you start the process of obtaining dual citizenship, you should also find out whether acquiring Italian citizenship
will affect your current citizenship. If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa,
the United States or the United Kingdom, Italian citizenship jure sanguinis will not affect your current citizenship. If
you are a citizen of any other country, check with the nearest Italian authority.
Your father was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth
Determine whether or not you qualify. If you do, find out which documents you will need.
CATEGORY #1: Your father was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth and you never
renounced your right to Italian citizenship. If citizenship is acquired by birth in your country and
you meet all these conditions, you qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. You must obtain
certified copies of the following documents:
1. Your father's birth certificate from Italy, also known as an estratto dell'atto di nascita
2. Your father's certificate of Italian citizenship from Italy, also known as a certificato di
cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT require this. The
only ones we are aware of that do are the Italian consulates in Miami and Chicago.)
3. Your mother's birth certificate
4. Your parents' marriage certificate (If they were married in your native country, you will need
an apostille and a translation into Italian.)
5. Your parents' divorce decree/certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
6. Your father's certificate of naturalization OR Italian passport and permanent resident
card/green card
7. Your birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
8. Your father's death certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
9. Your mother's death certificate, if applicable
10. Your marriage certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
11. Your divorce decree/certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
12. Your spouse's birth certificate, if applicable
13. Birth certificates for all your children under the age of eighteen, if applicable (with apostille
and translation)
NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" is extremely important in determining whether or not
you qualify. Parents who became naturalized citizens of their new country BEFORE the birth of
their children lost their Italian citizenship and COULD NOT pass citizenship on to them, while
parents who became naturalized AFTER the birth of their children COULD pass citizenship on to
them. For example, Achille Berto immigrated to the USA in 1895. He became a naturalized US
citizen in 1919 and had a son David in 1921. Citizenship was not passed to David because Achille
was an American citizen (naturalized in 1919) at the time of David's birth. Using another example,
Massimo Meneghetti immigrated to the USA in 1912, had a daughter Eleanor in 1924 and became a
naturalized US citizen in 1936. Citizenship WAS passed to Eleanor because Massimo was still an
Italian citizen when she was born.
If your father became a naturalized citizen before your birth, you are not entitled to Italian
citizenship jure sanguinis unless you fit into another category.
Your mother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth
Determine whether or not you qualify. If you do, find out which documents you will need.
CATEGORY #2: Your mother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth, you were born after
January 1st, 1948 and you never renounced your right to Italian citizenship. If citizenship is acquired
by birth in your country and you meet all these conditions, you qualify for Italian citizenship jure
sanguinis. You must obtain certified copies of the following documents:
1. Your mother's birth certificate from Italy, also known as an estratto dell'atto di nascita
2. Your mother's certificate of Italian citizenship from Italy, also known as a certificato di
cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT require this. The
only ones we are aware of that do are the Italian consulates in Miami and Chicago.)
3. Your father's birth certificate
4. Your parents' marriage certificate (If they were married in your native country, you will need
an apostille and a translation into Italian.)
5. Your parents' divorce decree/certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
6. Your mother's certificate of naturalization OR Italian passport and permanent resident
card/green card
7. Your birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
8. Your mother's death certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
9. Your father's death certificate, if applicable
10. Your marriage certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
11. Your divorce decree/certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
12. Your spouse's birth certificate, if applicable
13. Birth certificates for all your children under the age of eighteen, if applicable (with apostille
and translation)
NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" is extremely important in determining whether or not
you qualify. Parents who became naturalized citizens of their new country BEFORE the birth of
their children lost their Italian citizenship and COULD NOT pass citizenship on to them, while
parents who became naturalized AFTER the birth of their children COULD pass citizenship on to
them. For example, Achille Berto immigrated to the USA in 1895. He became a naturalized US
citizen in 1919 and had a son David in 1921. Citizenship was not passed to David because Achille
was an American citizen (naturalized in 1919) at the time of David's birth. Using another example,
Massimo Meneghetti immigrated to the USA in 1912, had a daughter Eleanor in 1924 and became a
naturalized US citizen in 1936. Citizenship WAS passed to Eleanor because Massimo was still an
Italian citizen when she was born.
If your mother became a naturalized citizen before your birth, you are not entitled to Italian
citizenship jure sanguinis unless you fit into another category.
Your paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth
Determine whether or not you qualify. If you do, find out which documents you will need.
CATEGORY #3: Your father was born in your native country, your paternal grandfather was an
Italian citizen at the time of his birth, and neither you nor your father ever renounced your right to
Italian citizenship. If citizenship is acquired by birth in your country and you meet all these
conditions, you qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. You must obtain certified copies of the
following documents:
1. Your paternal grandfather's birth certificate from Italy, also known as an estratto dell'atto di
nascita
2. Your paternal grandfather's certificate of Italian citizenship from Italy, also known as
a certificato di cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT
require this. The only ones we are aware of that do are the Italian consulates in Miami and
Chicago.)
3. Your paternal grandmother's birth certificate
4. Your grandparents' marriage certificate (If married outside of Italy, you will need
an apostille and a translation into Italian.)
5. Your paternal grandfather's certificate of naturalization OR Italian passport and permanent
resident card/green card
6. Your father's birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
7. Your mother's birth certificate
8. Your parents' marriage certificate (with apostille and translation)
9. Your birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
10. Your marriage certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
11. Your spouse's birth certificate, if applicable
12. Birth certificates for all your children under the age of eighteen, if applicable (with apostille
and translation)
13. Any applicable divorce decrees/certificates (with apostille and translation)
14. Death certificates for anyone listed above (with apostille and translation, if for your father or
grandfather)
NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" is extremely important in determining whether or not
you qualify. Parents who became naturalized citizens of their new country BEFORE the birth of
their children lost their Italian citizenship and COULD NOT pass citizenship on to them, while
parents who became naturalized AFTER the birth of their children COULD pass citizenship on to
them. If your grandfather became a naturalized citizen before your father's birth, you are not
entitled to Italian citizenship jure sanguinis unless you fit into another category.
Your paternal grandmother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth
Determine whether or not you qualify. If you do, find out which documents you will need.
CATEGORY #4: Your father was born in your native country after January 1st, 1948, your paternal
grandmother was an Italian citizen at the time of his birth, and neither you nor your father ever
renounced your right to Italian citizenship. If citizenship is acquired by birth in your country and
you meet all these conditions, you qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. You must obtain
certified copies of the following documents:
1. Your paternal grandmother's birth certificate from Italy, also known as an estratto dell'atto di
nascita
2. Your paternal grandmother's certificate of Italian citizenship from Italy, also known as
acertificato di cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT require
this. The only ones we are aware of that do are the Italian consulates in Miami and Chicago.)
3. Your paternal grandfather's birth certificate
4. Your grandparents' marriage certificate (If married outside of Italy, you will need
an apostille and a translation into Italian.)
5. Your paternal grandmother's certificate of naturalization OR Italian passport and permanent
resident card/green card
6. Your father's birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
7. Your mother's birth certificate
8. Your parents' marriage certificate (with apostille and translation)
9. Your birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
10. Your marriage certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
11. Your spouse's birth certificate, if applicable
12. Birth certificates for all your children under the age of eighteen, if applicable (with apostille
and translation)
13. Any applicable divorce decrees/certificates (with apostille and translation)
14. Death certificates for anyone listed above (with apostille and translation, if for your father or
grandmother)
NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" is extremely important in determining whether or not
you qualify. Parents who became naturalized citizens of their new country BEFORE the birth of
their children lost their Italian citizenship and COULD NOT pass citizenship on to them, while
parents who became naturalized AFTER the birth of their children COULD pass citizenship on to
them. If your grandmother became a naturalized citizen before your father's birth, you are
not entitled to Italian citizenship jure sanguinis unless you fit into another category.
Your maternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth
Determine whether or not you qualify. If you do, find out which documents you will need.
CATEGORY #5: Your mother was born in your native country, your maternal grandfather was an
Italian citizen at the time of her birth, you were born after January 1st, 1948, and neither you nor
your mother ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship. If citizenship is acquired by birth in
your country and you meet all these conditions, you qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. You
must obtain certified copies of the following documents:
1. Your maternal grandfather's birth certificate from Italy, also known as an estratto dell'atto di
nascita
2. Your maternal grandfather's certificate of Italian citizenship from Italy, also known as
acertificato di cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT require
this. The only ones we are aware of that do are the Italian consulates in Miami and Chicago.)
3. Your maternal grandmother's birth certificate
4. Your grandparents' marriage certificate (If married outside of Italy, you will need
an apostille and a translation into Italian.)
5. Your maternal grandfather's certificate of naturalization OR Italian passport and permanent
resident card/green card
6. Your mother's birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
7. Your father's birth certificate
8. Your parents' marriage certificate (with apostille and translation)
9. Your birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
10. Your marriage certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
11. Your spouse's birth certificate, if applicable
12. Birth certificates for all your children under the age of eighteen, if applicable (with apostille
and translation)
13. Any applicable divorce decrees/certificates (with apostille and translation)
14. Death certificates for anyone listed above (with apostille and translation, if for your mother
or grandfather)
NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" is extremely important in determining whether or not
you qualify. Parents who became naturalized citizens of their new country BEFORE the birth of
their children lost their Italian citizenship and COULD NOT pass citizenship on to them, while
parents who became naturalized AFTER the birth of their children COULD pass citizenship on to
them. If your grandfather became a naturalized citizen before your mother's birth, you are
not entitled to Italian citizenship jure sanguinis unless you fit into another category.
Your maternal grandmother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth
Determine whether or not you qualify. If you do, find out which documents you will need.
CATEGORY #6: Your mother was born in your native country after January 1st, 1948,
your maternal grandmother was an Italian citizen at the time of her birth, and neither you nor
your mother ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship. If citizenship is acquired by birth in
your country and you meet all these conditions, you qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. You
must obtain certified copies of the following documents:
1. Your maternal grandmother's birth certificate from Italy, also known as an estratto dell'atto di
nascita
2. Your maternal grandmother's certificate of Italian citizenship from Italy, also known as
acertificato di cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT require
this. The only ones we are aware of that do are the Italian consulates in Miami and Chicago.)
3. Your maternal grandfather's birth certificate
4. Your grandparents' marriage certificate (If married outside of Italy, you will need
an apostille and a translation into Italian.)
5. Your maternal grandmother's certificate of naturalization OR Italian passport and
permanent resident card/green card
6. Your mother's birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
7. Your father's birth certificate
8. Your parents' marriage certificate (with apostille and translation)
9. Your birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
10. Your marriage certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
11. Your spouse's birth certificate, if applicable
12. Birth certificates for all your children under the age of eighteen, if applicable (with apostille
and translation)
13. Any applicable divorce decrees/certificates (with apostille and translation)
14. Death certificates for anyone listed above (with apostille and translation, if for your mother
or grandmother)
NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" is extremely important in determining whether or not
you qualify. Parents who became naturalized citizens of their new country BEFORE the birth of
their children lost their Italian citizenship and COULD NOT pass citizenship on to them, while
parents who became naturalized AFTER the birth of their children COULD pass citizenship on to
them. If your grandmother became a naturalized citizen before your mother's birth, you are
not entitled to Italian citizenship jure sanguinis unless you fit into another category.
Your paternal great grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your
birth
Determine whether or not you qualify. If you do, find out which documents you will need.
CATEGORY #7: Your paternal grandfather was born in your native country, your paternal great
grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of his birth, and neither you nor your father nor your
grandfather ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship. If citizenship is acquired by birth in
your country and you meet all these conditions, you qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. You
must obtain certified copies of the following documents:
1. Your paternal great grandfather's birth certificate from Italy, also known as an estratto dell'atto
di nascita
2. Your paternal great grandfather's certificate of Italian citizenship from Italy, also known as
acertificato di cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT require
this. The only ones we are aware of that do are the Italian consulates in Miami and Chicago.)
3. Your paternal great grandmother's birth certificate
4. Your great grandparents' marriage certificate (If married outside of Italy, you will need an
apostille and a translation into Italian.)
5. Your paternal great grandfather's certificate of naturalization
6. Your paternal grandfather's birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
7. Your paternal grandmother's birth certificate
8. Your grandparents' marriage certificate (with apostille and translation)
9. Your father's birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
10. Your mother's birth certificate
11. Your parents' marriage certificate (with apostille and translation)
12. Your birth certificate (with apostille and translation)
13. Your marriage certificate, if applicable (with apostille and translation)
14. Your spouse's birth certificate, if applicable
15. Birth certificates for all your children under the age of eighteen, if applicable (with apostille
and translation)
16. Any applicable divorce decrees/certificates (with apostille and translation)
17. Death certificates for anyone listed above (with apostille and translation, if for your father,
grandfather or great grandfather)
NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" is extremely important in determining whether or not
you qualify. Parents who became naturalized citizens of their new country BEFORE the birth of
their children lost their Italian citizenship and COULD NOT pass citizenship on to them, while
parents who became naturalized AFTER the birth of their children COULD pass citizenship on to
them. If your great grandfather became a naturalized citizen before your grandfather's birth,
you are not entitled to Italian citizenship jure sanguinis unless you fit into another category.