You must request a "certified copy" issued in a "long form" or a "full form"; (not "certification" or "abstract) of non-Italian documents. This format contains the names of the parents of the individual who relates to the document itself. This is the format required for all birth, marriage and death records. They are normally acquired from your State or Province offices that provide vital statistics.
Yes. Because citizenship when granted is retroactive; Italy requires that these documents be recorded in Italy. You can’t hide the existence of marriages, divorces, or minor children.
You will need a letter from the Town Hall (Comune) stating that no birth record exists, If no church document is available either, sometimes the Consulate will accept a certified copy of the Italian military draft document (for males) issued by the State Archive of the main Italian province, as evidence. The Italian military record would need to show the parents’ names and the ancestor’s place and date of birth.
The Italian Consulate "may" accept church records such as baptismal certificates or religious marriage certificates if the civil authorities provide a statement that they have no record of a birth or marriage. In addition, the local diocese has to certify that the church document is authentic. The Bishop's signature may have to be notarized in order to be Apostilled. Please note: there is no guarantee that church records will be accepted by the Italian Consulate.
Yes. Frequently, a parent must be recognized as a citizen before he or she can request citizenship for an adopted minor child (unlike biological minor children, who are automatically citizens). The adoptions of minor children go to the Tribunale dei Minori (Children’s Court) for judicial review before they can be passed onto the municipality and the child recognized as an Italian citizen.
Yes. If you were adopted as a minor you will need certified copy of your adoption decree (translated to Italian with an Apostille). If adopted as an adult, you must reside in Italy for five years before applying.
Due to the many changes in the boundaries between Italy and other nations over the course of history and the ever changing laws of citizenship, the complexity requires you ask your closest Italian Consulate if you qualify. But sure to explain to the consulate official where and when your Ancestor was born and when your he or she emigrated from Italy or another country. For questions, please SCHEDULE A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION.
Yes, if your children are under the age of eighteen they can apply with you. If they are eighteen or older and qualify, they will need to apply separately.
Normally, yes, after you acquire Italian citizenship, your spouse is eligible, but you must first register your marriage in Italy, prior to applying. Spouses of Italian citizens can apply for citizenship after two years of marriage if a couple is living in Italy and after three (3) years of marriage if they are living abroad. When applying, if these time periods have already been met the process is immediately started. Also if you have a child, the time is cut to 18 months in both Italy and in another Country.
1. Since August 16, 1992 (Law 91 Art. 11), the voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship no longer leads to the automatic loss of Italian Citizenship (with the exception of acquisition of citizenship in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands and Norway.
