Italian Citizenship by Descent
Through the Italian Consulate in New York

Which areas does it cover?

New York State, Connecticut, and northern and central New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties).

In New York, the Department of State apostilles state-issued records, but records signed by local officials, including many New York City records, may first need certification by the county clerk. New Jersey residents in the southern counties belong to the Philadelphia consulate, not New York.

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 New York 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 New York: 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.