Apply in Italy Jure Sanguinis (JS)

Obtaining Italian dual citizenship by descent—also known as jure sanguinis—is a process that allows individuals with Italian ancestors to become Italian citizens. This process is incredibly complex and time-consuming.

It’s also very rewarding. An Italian passport is waiting for you at the end, giving you full freedom to travel, live, and work anywhere in the European Union.

Here’s a general overview of the steps involved in obtaining your citizenship through jure sanguinis.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

While Italy has one of the widest windows of opportunity in the world for citizenship through ancestry, it’s important to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. At the most basic level, eligibility is typically based on these criteria:

1. You must have at least one Italian ancestor (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc.) who was an Italian citizen
2. The Italian ancestor’s citizenship was not renounced before the birth of the next person in line, and so on for your entire family line
3. The lineage has been passed down through generations without any interruptions, such as naturalizations or other actions that could break the chain

It’s important to understand these are the basic criteria. There are specific edge cases that may disqualify you or require a different means of obtaining your Italian citizenship, such as 1948 cases.

Use our Italian citizenship eligibility quiz to determine which paths to citizenship are open to you.

Step 2: Gather your documents

You’ll need to collect a variety of legal documents to prove your eligibility, including official birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and other records related to your Italian ancestors. This can be a time-consuming process that can include months and even years of research, depending on your lineage.

During this process, it’s essential to verify the Italian citizenship of your ancestors. You may need to obtain records from Italian consulates or the Italian government to confirm their citizenship status. Some common documents to request include birth records, marriage records, and naturalization records to verify there was no renunciation.

Any documents non-Italian will need to be translated by a certified translator. Additionally, your documents will need to be apostilled or legalized by the appropriate authorities, depending on the requirements of your home country.

Step 3: Apply for recognition

Once you have all the necessary documentation, you can apply for recognition of Italian citizenship. this can be done at your designated Italian consulate or embassy, or in Italy through a comune—the equivalent of a local town hall.

The application process varies depending on where you apply, even from one consulate to another. If applying through a consulate, you’ll want to confirm their specific requirements and procedures and then schedule an appoint. Depending on your consulate, the earliest available appointments are often 2-5 years out, if they are offering them at all.

At your appointment, whether at a consulate or in Italy, you’ll submit all the documents, application forms, and pay any required fees.

The processing time varies by each consulate or comune. It can range from several months to several years for your application to be reviewed and approved.

In almost all cases, applying in Italy significantly reduces the time to recognition—usually months, not years. This is due to several factors. First, applying in Italy only requires in-line documents so there are fewer documents to retrieve and process. Second, the consulates are processing hundreds of applications simultaneously, while comuni typically only process a few at a time.

Step 4: Receive your Italian passport

Once your application is approved—congratulations! You can now apply for your Italian passport and identity card. If yo uare married, this now also opens the door for your spouse to obtain their Italian citizenship through jure matrimonii.

The process of obtaining dual Italian citizenship by descent can be complex. Legal assistance is often advisable, especially if you encounter any challenges during the application process. It’s also important to note that the specific requirements and procedures may change over time, so it’s essential to stay updated on the latest information and guidelines.

This general overview of the jure sanguinis process gives you an idea of the steps involved, however it’s essential to understand that each case is different and the slightest nuance can change the direction of an application. We’re here to help you determine eligibility and navigate the entire journey to dual Italian dual citizenship.