Due to new generational limits introduced on March, 28th 2025, you can now only obtain citizenship through an Italian-born grandparent or parent, or if your parent lived in Italy for at least two years prior to your birth.
Applying for Italian citizenship (Jure Sanguinis) is an incredibly document-intensive process.
It’s not just about obtaining the right documents — they must also be properly processed to ensure they are accepted by Italian authorities and can be used effectively in your case.
Beyond the standard application forms, the specific documents required will depend on your unique case and where you are applying. To simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into few key categories.
Regardless of where you are applying, the following documents are essential for any Jure Sanguinis case:
The following documents are typically required only if they pertain to someone in your direct lineage and impact your case — for example, to explain discrepancies in names or surnames on key documents or if you are unable to produce a specific key document.
Whether these documents must be included will ultimately be at the discretion of your lawyer, commune, or consulate based on the specific requirements of your case.
If you are applying through a consulate, you may be required to provide additional records for individuals outside your direct lineage.
This often means submitting birth, marriage, and death certificates not only for your direct Italian ancestors but also for their spouse or partner (e.g., your mother/father, grandparent etc.).
Requirements vary by consulate, so it’s important to verify what specific documents are needed for your case.
While official Italian documents do not require additional processing, all foreign documents must be properly processed according to the specific requirements of your consulate or court case.
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Ancestor’s Birth Certificate | Always. For Italian Ancestor and their spouse in a 1948 case | Must be obtained from the local Italian comune (municipality) where your ancestor was born. If not available, a certified copy or baptism record (if applicable) may be necessary. |
| Applicant’s U.S. Birth Certificate | Always. Also reacquired for each family member in the Italian line. | Must be a certified long-form copy. An apostille and official translation into Italian may be required, depending on your consulate or court case. |
| Marriage Certificate(s) | Often | Required if a marriage is part of the direct lineage (e.g., parent or grandparent). Some consulates also request spouse’s certificates to confirm name changes. |
| Naturalization Records (or Certificate of Non-Existence) | Always. For Italian Ancestor and their spouse in a 1948 case | Proves whether your Italian ancestor lost or retained Italian citizenship. If no record exists, a “No Record of Naturalization” document is needed. |
| Apostilles & Legal Translations | Always. | Most U.S. documents need an apostille and an official translation into Italian. Requirements vary by consulate. |
| Additional Records (e.g., Death Certificates) | Case-by-Case | May be necessary to prove continuity of your family line or to resolve discrepancies (e.g., different name spellings). |
Head of Citizenship Procurement
Aldo holds a Law Degree from the University of Turin, and specializes in the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis). With extensive experience collaborating with law firms and clients worldwide, Aldo has a proven track record of successfully helping individuals and families obtain their Italian citizenship.
Head of Customer Services
Spencer spent two years independently navigating the Italian legal system, going through the process of gaining an Italian Passport through descent, and is now a dual Italian citizen. Prior to Citizenship Italia, he managed clients like Samsung and the NBA for technology companies and startups. He now brings this expertise to deliver top-tier customer service and personalized support.
Regardless of where you are applying, the following documents are essential for any Jure Sanguinis case:
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates of your Italian ancestor.
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates of any direct ancestors in the Italian lineage (your parent, grandparent, etc. who are a direct descendant of the Italian ancestor you are applying through).
• Your own birth and marriage certificates.
• Naturalization or non-naturalization document(s) that prove that your Italian ancestor did not renounce citizenship before the birth of the next descendant or they naturalized after the next descendant was 21 years or older.
The following documents are typically required only if they pertain to someone in your direct lineage and impact your case — for example, to explain discrepancies in names or surnames on key documents or if you are unable to produce a specific key document.
Whether these documents must be included will ultimately be at the discretion of your lawyer, commune, or consulate based on the specific requirements of your case.
• Adoption records if anyone in your lineage is adopted
• Divorce records if anyone is divorced
• Military records
• A Document of Non-Existence is an official statement from the government entity responsible for issuing a specific document, confirming that the document does not exist, has been lost, or has been destroyed.
• In a 1948 case you will need naturalization documents to prove that the female ancestor through whom citizenship is being claimed was eligible to pass citizenship down. Additionally, you will need naturalization records for her partner to verify that he was naturalized.
If you are applying through a consulate, you may be required to provide additional records for individuals outside your direct lineage.
This often means submitting birth, marriage, and death certificates not only for your direct Italian ancestors but also for their spouse or partner (e.g., your mother/father, grandparent etc.).
Requirements vary by consulate, so it’s important to verify what specific documents are needed for your case.
While official Italian documents do not require additional processing, all foreign documents must be properly processed according to the specific requirements of your consulate or court case.
• Apostille Authentication: Documents like birth, marriage, and naturalization certificates must be apostilled, confirming their validity for international use.
• Translation into Italian: Documents must be translated into Italian by a certified translator. For court submissions, translations must be sworn-in, in Italian court and certified.
• Certification of Translations: Translations may need certification by a public notary or consulate, depending on the location of the application.
• Legalization (if needed): If the country is not part of the Hague Convention, documents will require legalization by the foreign ministry and the Italian consulate.
• Consulate-Specific Requirements: The requirements may vary by consulate. Some consulates may require additional documents, notarization, additional certification, or specific formatting for documents. It’s important to consult with us to ensure your documents meet the correct standards.
Operations in Canada & Italy — serving customers in the U.S. & Italy
📞 +1 437-562-7327 | ✉️ team@citizenshipitalia.com
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