Discovering that you can claim Italian citizenship through your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and in some cases even great-great-grandparents can be very exciting. But what is the process like, and is it easy to get Italian citizenship?
Compared to other countries, Italian citizenship by descent is one of the simplest to acquire for a variety of reasons.
These include the absence of generational barriers, the effectiveness of the Italian record-keeping system beginning in the late 1800s, and the fact that you do not need to speak Italian in order to apply.
Let’s take a closer look at these factors that can offer individuals of Italian heritage a simple path to reclaim their ancestral ties and embrace the benefits of Italian citizenship.
Determining eligibility
Before embarking on the application process, it is essential to determine one’s eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent.
First, your Italian ancestor who was born in Italy must have been alive at the time Italy was unified as a nation on March 17, 1861, or they must have been born after that date.
Additionally, your Italian ancestor must have never naturalized or must have naturalized after the birth of their child.
Fortunately, the absence of generational limits allows individuals to trace their lineage back several generations and explore their eligibility.
Two ways to uncover family history:
1. Ancestry websites
Ancestry websites have revolutionised genealogical research, allowing individuals to delve into their family history and trace their roots with greater ease.
Ancestry websites provide access to vast databases of historical records, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, immigration records, and census data, all of which are invaluable in order to determine one’s eligibility.
2. Italian municipalities
Italian municipalities play a crucial role in facilitating the application process for Italian citizenship by preserving comprehensive and well-maintained records.
This means that if you possess your ancestor’s name and approximate date of birth, the municipality in Italy is likely to have their record on file.
The cooperation of these municipalities greatly expedites the process, ensuring that applicants have access to the necessary evidence to support their citizenship claims.
The application process
Once eligibility has been determined through comprehensive research, applicants can proceed with the application process for Italian citizenship by descent.
While specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and the Italian consulate in the applicant’s jurisdiction, the process generally involves completing application forms, submitting the required documentation (this includes the vital records of the applicant as well as each family member in the Italian ancestral line) and paying the applicable fees.
Applicants must carefully follow the instructions provided by the consulate and ensure that all the documents are accurately translated and authenticated by Apostilles, if required.
What is the Italian principle of jus sanguinis?
Italian laws are designed to support and recognise the right to Italian citizenship by descent. This recognition is based on the principle of jus sanguinis, which translates to ‘right of blood’.
It signifies the ability of an individual to claim citizenship of a country by virtue of being born to a parent who is a citizen of that country, regardless of their place of birth.
The Italian law (91/1992) explicitly outlines the conditions for granting Italian citizenship by descent. According to this law, Italian citizenship is conferred if an individual’s father or mother is or was an Italian citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
This means that even if a child is born outside of Italy, they are still considered an Italian citizen and can pass on their citizenship to subsequent generations, provided that none of the individuals in the Italian lineage renounced their Italian citizenship.
So, is it easy?
Contrary to popular belief, applying for Italian citizenship by descent can be a relatively straightforward and accessible process thanks to the help of ancestry websites, Italian municipalities, and favourable Italian citizenship-by-descent laws.
It is nonetheless important for applicants to approach the process with diligence, thoroughness, and a clear understanding of the challenges that can arise on a case-by-case basis.
Still, by leveraging the resources available and adhering to the guidelines provided by the Italian consulate, individuals can navigate the application process confidently, ultimately realizing their dream of obtaining Italian citizenship and embracing the cultural heritage and opportunities it brings.
Find out more by contacting Italian Citizenship Assistance.
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