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.
Jure Sanguinis is the Italian law that allows U.S. citizens and those born in the US to claim Italian citizenship and an Italian passport through their Italian born Ancestors.
If you are uncertain of this you can use the following guide to establish the best legal route forward to claim Italian dual citizenship as a US citizen.
There are three ways to obtain Italian citizenship.
Although they differ slightly, all three processes are document-intensive and require assembling a comprehensive case. You can learn more about the required documents here (documents URL).
Consular Application – This applies to straightforward cases where citizenship is passed down through an unbroken male lineage or through a female ancestor only if her child was born after 1948, when Italian law allowed mothers to transmit citizenship if the father was unable to. This process typically takes 3 - 5 years
Italian Municipality Application (Italian Relocation) – If you establish residency in Italy, you can apply directly through the local municipality (comune). This process enables individuals to obtain citizenship often in under a year and it typically the quickest route.
The third option is a judicial process, required for cases that don’t qualify under the administrative routes.
You are eligible to apply for Italian citizenship through the courts if:
In the case of a court application, an Italian attorney will represent you directly in court, meaning you won’t need to be personally involved in the legal proceedings.
This route is typically faster than consular applications, with citizenship recognition often taking 1 to 3 years. It also eliminates the stress of dealing directly with bureaucratic hurdles, making the process much smoother for the applicant. We often say we deal with the headaches so you don’t have to.
To determine your eligibility for Italian citizenship, you need to gather key dates and details about your lineage. You can book a call with us here if you think you may qualify.
Specifically, you will need:
These details are essential for verifying your eligibility, deciding which ancestor you are applying through and preparing the necessary documentation for your application.
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.
'Jure Sanguinis' is the Italian law that allows U.S. citizens and those born in the U.S. to claim Italian citizenship and an Italian passport through their Italian-born ancestors.
Due to new generational limits introduced on March 28, 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.
Requirements include having an Italian parent or grandparent that was born in Italy and lived past March 17, 1861, having an Italian parent who lived in Italy for at least two years prior to your birth, and ensuring no one in the applicant's direct line renounced their Italian citizenship or became a citizen of another country before their child turned 21—or if it happened after 1992.
There are three methods:
Consular Application: Suitable for straightforward cases where citizenship is passed down through an unbroken male lineage or through a female ancestor only if her child was born after 1948. This process typically takes 3–5 years.
Italian Municipality Application (Italian Relocation): By establishing residency in Italy, you can apply directly through the local municipality (comune). This process often enables individuals to obtain citizenship in under a year.
Italian Citizenship through a Court Case: Applicable if you're unable to secure a consulate appointment, your lineage includes an ancestor born to an Italian mother before 1948, or your case involves missing documents or special circumstances. An Italian attorney will represent you directly in court, and citizenship recognition often takes 1 to 3 years.
To determine your eligibility, gather key dates and details about your lineage, including birthdates for every direct ancestor tracing back to your last ancestor born in Italy, marriage dates for each direct descendant between you and your Italian-born ancestor, and naturalization history, including the date your Italian ancestor became a citizen of another country—or confirmation that they never naturalized.
You can also book a free eligibility review with our team to get expert confirmation.
Operations in Canada & Italy — serving customers in the U.S. & Italy
📞 +1 437-562-7327 | ✉️ team@citizenshipitalia.com
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