We The Italians | ICA: Applying for the reacquisition of Italian citizenship

ICA: Applying for the reacquisition of Italian citizenship

ICA: Applying for the reacquisition of Italian citizenship

  • WTI Magazine #148 Feb 19, 2022
  • 952

Our previous articles have analyzed the most common pathways towards acquiring Italian citizenship by descent and the requirements needed to apply. In particular, if you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for Italian citizenship by descent, there are three main paths to applying: via an Italian consulate abroad, via a municipality in Italy and via an Italian court. This article instead will focus on the reacquisition of Italian citizenship specifically for those individuals who were born in Italy (or in a foreign country but were de facto Italian citizens) and who lost their Italian citizenship by naturalizing in a foreign country before August 16, 1992, or who renounced their Italian citizenship. If you fall in these categories you can regain your Italian citizenship by establishing your residency in Italy.

***Please note that this article will analyze the most common way to reacquire Italian citizenship, i.e. the case in which an individual applies via a consulate and then moves to Italy to establish his or her residency there. Please bear in mind that there is also another way to reacquire Italian citizenship which is less common, and more information about this can be found at the following link. 

How do you apply for the reacquisition of Italian citizenship? 

If you lost your Italian citizenship because you naturalized prior to August 16, 1992, or if you renounced your Italian citizenship, you need to visit the Italian consulate that covers the jurisdiction where you reside and sign a declaration stating that you intend to reacquire Italian citizenship by establishing residency in Italy within one year from the date of your declaration. You will also need to provide the Italian consulate with the following documents:

- A certified copy of your birth certificate which has been duly legalized and translated into Italian (in compliance with the obligations provided for by law in relation to legalization/ apostille and translation). The specific requirements regarding the translation and legalization/apostille depend on the country of origin where the certificate was issued;

- A copy of your old Italian passport (if available);

- Your certificate of naturalization (this is needed to prove that you lost your Italian citizenship prior to August 16, 1992), if applicable;

- Your marriage certificate and divorce decree (if these events occurred prior to your naturalization). These records will need to be duly legalized and translated into Italian (in compliance with the obligations provided for by law in relation to legalization/ apostille and translation). The specific requirements regarding the translation and legalization/apostille depend on the country of origin where the certificate was issued;

- Your U.S. passport or valid ID;

- A utility bill or driver’s license (these are needed to provide the consulate with proof that your address falls under their jurisdiction);

- Proof of payment of €250.

Please note that the documents required might vary depending on the specific consulate to which you apply. Furthermore, the declaration stating that you intend to reacquire Italian citizenship can be rendered at any municipality ("comune”) in Italy. Finally, it is worth clarifying that you do not need to speak Italian in order to reacquire Italian citizenship.

As for filing your application in Italy, when you arrive in the country you will need to have a place where you can legally establish residency. This may be rented accommodation or a property you own; an Airbnb or other types of temporary accommodation are not accepted. You will need to provide the municipality with proof that you can legally use the property where you intend to establish your residency (e.g. lease agreement or property deed) and the local police will verify that you are living in that property within 45 days from your residency application. Once your residency status has been verified you will need to provide the municipality with all of your documents, including the declaration in which you stated that you intended to reacquire Italian citizenship. The municipality will then process your application; this usually takes a few months but may vary depending on the municipality to which you apply. If the process takes longer than 90 days you will be granted a residency permit (permesso di soggiorno in attesa di cittadinananza) which is valid for the entire duration of the citizenship reacquisition process. Finally, once you are granted Italian citizenship you can apply for a passport in Italy.

If you are considering applying for the reacquisition of Italian citizenship and you would like further information or a free eligibility assessment do not hesitate to contact us at either [email protected] or at +1 323-892- 0861. We will be happy to help you!

For more information please visit www.ItalianCitizenshipAssistance.com