Italian Citizenship by Descent
Through the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles

Which areas does it cover?

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Southern California (Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties).

California is split between two consulates: the ten southern counties listed here go to Los Angeles, and the rest of the state to San Francisco. Your county of residence decides which one you use.

Your consulate is set by your legal residence. You will usually need proof, such as a driver's license or utility bill, that you live in the district. If you move, your file moves to the consulate for your new address.

How to apply

1. Confirm eligibility under Article 3-bis. Unless your case was started by March 27, 2025, you need a parent or grandparent who held exclusively Italian citizenship, or a parent who lived in Italy for two years as a citizen before your birth.
2. Collect the line documents: birth, marriage and death records for each generation, your ancestor's Italian birth record, and naturalization records or a Certificate of Non-Existence.
3. Apostille and translate every U.S. record into Italian.
4. Book an appointment through the office's online booking system (most Italian consulates use Prenot@mi). Check the citizenship page on the official site for the current method and checklist.
5. Attend and pay the €600 fee per adult applicant as the office instructs.

Preparing documents from your states

Birth, marriage and death records issued by a U.S. state are apostilled by that state's Secretary of State. Federal documents, such as a USCIS Certificate of Non-Existence, are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.

Records must usually be long-form certified copies. Each consulate publishes its own checklist, so check it before ordering. See our apostille and translation guide.

What changes in 2029

Under Law 11/2026, the Los Angeles office keeps processing adult applications until December 31, 2028, within an annual cap. From January 1, 2029, adults abroad apply by post to a central Foreign Ministry office in Rome. Minors stay with the consulate. Read more.

Is there an alternative to the consulate?

Yes. An Italian court can recognize citizenship in some cases, such as 1948 maternal-line cases or long administrative delays. Court cases are filed where your Italian ancestor was born, not where you live in the U.S., and require an Italian lawyer. See the court route.

Sources

• Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles: official website
• Embassy of Italy in Washington: the U.S. consular network
• Italian Foreign Ministry: citizenship

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and consulate practice change; check the official sources or ask us before acting.