Citizenship Background

The basic law of Italian citizenship is the law 91 of 5 February 1992 as implemented by Presidential Decree (DPR) 572 of 12/10/1993 and DPR 362 of 4/18/1994.

Most common citizenship cases-
 
A)       Recognition of Italian Citizenship by descent “jure sanguinis” (this is the case of descendants of Italian citizens who are eligible for and wish to have their Italian citizenship recognized).
The basic principle of the law is that the citizenship is transmitted by blood line (“jure sanguinis”). In other words, the son of an Italian citizen is Italian, no matter where he was born. For recognition of Italian citizenship you must produce evidence that your direct ascendants uninterruptedly maintained their Italian citizenship. Applicants living abroad (outside Italy) must apply at Italian Consulates. Those living in Italy must apply to the Comuni (Municipalities). 
 
B)      Acquisition of Citizenship by Marriage to an Italian Citizen. The acquisition of Italian citizenship is governed by articles 4, 5 and 9 of law 91, which apply, among others, to the following cases: 
 
- spouses of Italian citizens (article 5)
- descendants of former citizens and foreign nationals born in Italy (articles 4 and 9) 
 
C)     Reacquisition of Italian Citizenship (this is the case of those who were born Italian citizens but lost their citizenship and now wish to reacquire it). The reacquisition of Italian citizenship is governed by Article 13 of law 91. In general terms, a person who lost his/her Italian citizenship can reacquire it by establishing his/her residence in Italy.

The above cases are governed by different articles of the law. Please refer to the appropriate section A,B or C.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Remember that if you became a foreign national by your own will before August 16, 1992, you automatically lost your Italian citizenship.

The current Italian law allows dual citizenship. In other words, Italian nationals can hold other citizenships in addition to their Italian one.
U.S.- issued certificates (birth, marriage, and death) that are to be recorded in Italy must be in “long form” and bear the registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal and the date when the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office.
Each document must also be accompanied by the “Apostille” in compliance with the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961. Please be advised that documents will not be accepted if there are inconsistencies in either the names or the dates. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

Effective Aug 8, 2009, pursuant to the new Italian law n. 94/2009, the applications for acquisition and reaquisition of Italian citizenship, as well as the renounce to Italian citizenship, are subject to an application fee of 200 Euros.