Applying at the Italian Consulate is the first path to becoming an Italian Citizen through Descent.
This path is the standard way to file your application.
Still, only in case, You have only men in Your bloodline.
For example, the bloodline is “Italian Great-grandfather – Grandfather – Father.” 

Do I always have to apply through the Italian Consulate?

Let’s see when you cannot apply through the Italian Consulate.
Suppose it’s impossible to book your Italian Citizenship appointment.
Or suppose you have a long wait time for Your consular appointment.
In these cases, they apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent through the Italian Court Rome.

Applying for Italian Citizenship by Descent through the Italian Court process is widespread.
Italian Consulates suspended their activities because of Covid19.
Or they have a long wait time because of the huge number of applications. 

Why are people moving to apply to the Italian Court when possible?

According to statistics limited to the United States, this is starting to be a trending option.
The Italian Consulates are stuck and unable to handle all applications.
The statistics are in line with huge numbers provided by Italian Government statistics.

There’s clear information you can notice from the Graphs.
There are too many requests for Italian Citizenship by Descent (purple line).
The requests are over the capacity of the Italian Consulates (Blue line).

Notice the second Graph.
Italian Citizenship by Descent wait time through the Italian Consulates has increased exponentially.
Especially in 2020 because of Covid-19 (with most Italian Consulates closed).
And this trend will continue in 2021 and 2022 for sure.

In other cases, you have no choice.

You must request the recognition of Italian Citizenship by Descent at the Italian Court in Rome.
You have to apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent through the Italian Court in Rome.
Yes, you have.
That’s the only way to be recognized as an Italian Citizen. 

Let’s give an example.
It happens if your eligibility falls under the so-called “1948 Rule “.
So you have a so-called “1948 Case of Italian Citizenship“. 

You won’t qualify for Italian Citizenship by Descent through the Italian Consulate.
It doesn’t mean you don’t qualify at all!
Always check if you have a 1948 Case.

#2. The second common path avoiding the Italian Consulate.
Become an Italian Citizen through Descent, applying directly to the Italian Court.

How can I apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent in Italy?
When can I avoid the Italian Consulate? 

The common way (and the unique one for applying for Italian Citizenship) is when: 

So, to clarify more in this example above.

Suppose Your grandmother had Your father before January 1, 1948.
In that case, You could not apply at the local Italian Consulate.
Still, you must apply for Your Italian Citizenship directly at the Italian Court.
You can give us Power of Attorney as Italian Citizenship Lawyers. 
Then, we can apply for you.

Do You know what are the so-called “1948 Cases”?
Read everything about this particular application for Italian Dual Citizenship through Descents.

We can assist You with every Italian Citizenship application on each path described above.
Our specialized attorney’s team will take care of you.
So do not worry about anything.

We will deeply analyze Your case, Your Family Tree.
We will create a tailored and personalized solution.
And you will become an Italian Citizen through Descents as soon as possible.

How Does Italian Citizenship by Descent Work?

Let’s see what the process of Italian Citizenship by Descent procedure is.
We list you the requirements of Italian Citizenship by Descent.
And some exciting tips for You.

We may divide the entire process of Italian Citizenship by blood into three main phases.
There are no “phases,” technically.
But it’s more straightforward explaining the process by using a scheme.

STEP #1. THE RESEARCH PHASE

First, it’s essential to have a clear Family tree, starting from Your Italian ancestors to you. 

This phase is the most crucial one. 

Suppose you cannot locate your Italian Grandparents’ or Great-grandparent’s information.
In that case, starting the Italian Citizenship by Descent procedure is almost impossible. 

How to carry on the researches?

With all the world now connected to the internet, things may be a little easier. 

Most people start looking at Genealogy-dedicated online portals to find out some starting information.
It may be a perfect option if you’re not familiar with the Italian language.
Of you can come to Italy to start local research. 
As part of our services, we also provide genealogical research in Italy.

Most people decide to hire a Genealogist Company.
It’s certainly the best solution.
They are more familiar with the Italian Language and familiar with local research in Italy.

STEP #2. THE COLLECTION PHASE

Ok, so now You have a clear prospect of your Italian bloodline.
We are ready to start collecting all Italian Citizenship by descent documents and all certificates. 

Do you want a complete and successful application?
Then It is crucial to satisfy all the Italian Citizenship by Descent requirements.

All Vital Records must be completed by the Apostille.

The Apostille is the way to legalize the documents for being used abroad (and in Italy).

According to the official statement, the Apostille is described below:

“The effect of an Apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted, and where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the record bears. “

Official definition of the World Organisation for Cross-border Co-operation in Civil and Commercial Matters

So, the Vital records alone are not enough.
You will also have to legalize and translate all relevant documents. 

In 99% of Italian Citizenship by Descent cases, you can do the first step through the Apostille. 

In the end, you must translate all documents into Italian.
Before filing your application for Italian Citizenship through your great-grandparents or grandparents.

A common mistake is to think that a simple translation will be enough. 

The problem is that You will find it when it is late.
And Your Italian Citizenship application won’t be successful for sure.

It will be required to have a Certified Translation, not a simple one. So pay attention to this. 

You can proceed with a Certified Translation in 2 different ways: 

What is better? 

Both ways are legally valid.
We recommend choosing the 2nd option as it’s certainly faster than the 1st one.
And we can handle it for You, as part of our Services. 

STEP #3. Applying for Italian Citizenship by Descent

HERE WE ARE.
You are now ready to finalize and submit Your Italian Citizenship by Descent application. 

So, what to do now? 

It depends on which Italian Citizenship path we are taking. 
There are different ways to apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent.
We discussed it in a dedicated article on how to get Dual Citizenship in Italy.

So, contact Us and let us handle Your case as Italian Citizenship Lawyers.
Let us do everything for You with our Italian Citizenship Assistance.

IN WHICH CATEGORY DO YOU FALL?

Suppose you want to apply for Italian Citizenship through your great-grandparents.
Or through your Italian great-grandparents.

Let’s check which category you fall in to understand if You may be eligible for Italian Citizenship by Descent. 

When referring to “Categories,” we refer to the most common cases we found during our 8+ years of experience. 
So, have a look into each Category as You may fall under 1 (or more) on these. 

How to read the categories: F means Father | GF means Grandfather, and so on.

When Are You Not Eligible for applying to Italian Citizenship by Descent?

We briefly schematized some common “categories” of suitable options for Italian Citizenship through Descent. 

Now, let’s try to figure out when You are NOT eligible for Italian Citizenship by blood

THE 1912 RULE.

Meet a few conditions under this rule. You may not be able to apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent. 

The “1912 Rule” refers to all Italian Ancestors naturalized in another country before the 1912s. 

Why 1912s? 

Because on that year, the Italian Government approved a new Italian Citizenship Law (called Law No. 555/12), which was pretty different than the actual Italian Citizenship legislation. 

The so-called 1912 rule states the following: 

“When the Italian Ancestors naturalized in another country, their minor children automatically lost their Italian Citizenship.” 

For example, your Great-Grandfather John was born in Italy in 1860 and moved abroad in 1880. 
He had your Grandfather Sam in 1900. Then Great-Grandfather naturalized in 1901.

What happened? John naturalized (so he renounced Italian Citizenship) when the next-in-line Sam was only one year old. 
Sam is not able to pass Italian Citizenship. 

EXCEPTIONS & SOLUTIONS TO THE 1912 RULE?

BUT maybe you may be lucky! There are a few exceptions to the 1912 Rule. 

Indeed, in some cases – also if the Italian Ancestors naturalized before 1912 with a minor child – You may be able to get Italian Citizenship by Descent. 

If the next in line was born in an “Ius Soli” Country (like the United States), the exact next in line may pass Italian Citizenship. 

So let’s return to our example. 

John had his son Sam in 1900 in NYC. Then, John became American Citizen (=naturalized) in the United States in 1901. Sam was born in the United States (so he was American Citizen by birth). At the same time, he was born to an Italian father (so he had Italian Citizenship by birth). 

So, if John is naturalized, it doesn’t matter. Sam can pass Italian Citizenship! 

A “1948 Italian Citizenship Case” may solve the 1912 block.

Suppose you cannot pass through the 1912 rule. In that case, you can see if another line is eligible or with a 1948 Case, so the possibility of Italian Citizenship through Female line pre-1948.

It means you can apply through the Italian Court for claiming your Italian Citizenship through Descent. But beware: there is no guarantee of success, and these cases are rarely fought at the Italian Court. 

Legal statement: if you want to fight the 1912 rule, you can do that, but be aware there are no precedents yet. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the process of Italian Citizenship through Descent.

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