How to Get Italian Citizenship through Descent
Written by Nate Webber
Idiomatic USA Chief Content Officer
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Acquiring Italian citizenship through descent, known as "Jus Sanguinis" (right of blood), is a process that allows individuals with Italian ancestors to claim citizenship. Here are the key steps and considerations:
Eligibility: To be eligible, you must have an Italian ancestor. However, there are important conditions. For instance, Italy became a unified country in 1861, so your ancestor must have been alive after this date. Also, if your ancestor naturalized as a citizen of another country before the birth of their child (your next direct ancestor), you might not be eligible.
Documentation: Collect vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates) of your Italian ancestor and all direct descendants between you and that ancestor. This includes records from Italy and any other countries involved. Documents must be officially translated into Italian and legalized.
Legal Authority: Applications are typically processed through the Italian consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Each consulate may have specific requirements and processing times.
Application Process: You'll need to complete an application form and submit it along with all required documents. An appointment at the consulate is usually required.
Verification Process: The consulate verifies your lineage and the continuity of Italian citizenship in your family line. This process can take a considerable amount of time.
Citizenship Recognition: If your application is successful, you will be recognized as an Italian citizen. This may also extend to your children if they are minors.
Dual Citizenship: Italy allows dual citizenship, so you won't have to renounce your current citizenship.
Rights and Responsibilities: As an Italian citizen, you'll have the rights to live, work, and study in Italy and other EU countries, and you'll also have certain civic responsibilities.
It's important to note that the process can be complex and varies based on individual circumstances. Consulting with legal experts in Italian citizenship can be very beneficial.
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