A Complete Guide on the Documentation Required for the Recognition of Italian Citizenship in 2024
Have you ever wondered about what documents are required for the recognition of Italian citizenship? For sure, it is a path full of nuances and details that can confuse even the most experienced.
To help you, we will address questions about the documentation required for the process of Italian citizenship by descent juris sanguinis in 2024.
Documents commonly requested for Italian citizenship by descent include:
Italian Documents:
1- Estratto di ritema di nascita: Birth certificate of the Dante Causa You will need to obtain the birth certificate of your direct Italian ancestor (e.g. your great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather) who emigrated to the country where you were born.
2- Estratto di ritema di Matrimonio: Marriage certificate: If there is a marriage between the Italian ancestors, you will need to obtain the corresponding marriage certificates. These certificates are issued where the marriage took place.
3- Death certificate: If your ancestor has returned and died in Italy, it is necessary to obtain the corresponding death certificates.
It is important to note that these certificates must be issued by the original Italian municipalities, and not by the Italian consular representations. You can request the certificates by contacting the relevant Italian municipalities directly or through online services made available by the municipalities or state files.
Each municipality may have a specific process for requesting and issuing certificates. Generally, it is necessary to provide detailed information about the Italian ancestor, such as full name, date of birth, parents’ names, etc. In addition, you may need to pay fees and wait for a processing time to receive the certificates.
The birth certificate will not be available in the archives of the Ufficio dello Stato Civile if your ancestor was born before 1870, the year in which civil registration became mandatory for city halls. If this is the case, you should contact the parish where you were baptized and request the original baptismal certificate.
The competent Episcopal Curia must recognize the signature of the parish priest. On the other hand, most prefectures in the south of the country required civil registration before the date established as mandatory.
It is advisable to contact a professional genealogist who specializes in Italian civil registry research to help you obtain the correct certificates and deal with any difficulties in the process.
Civil Registries :
Civil registries are official documents issued by government authorities to record vital events such as births, marriages, and deaths. These records are essential when applying for Italian citizenship jus sanguinis, as they help establish family lineage and prove descent required for the process.
The civil records required to apply for Italian citizenship include:
1-Birth certificates: These are the official records that prove the birth of your ancestors, from the Italian ancestor to you. It is important to obtain the birth certificates of each generation, with the full names, dates, and places of birth of each individual.
2-Marriage certificates: These are the official records that prove the marriages between your ancestors. You will need the marriage certificates of each couple in the line of descent, including the marriage certificate of the Italian ancestor, if any.
3-Death certificates: These are the official records that prove the death of your ancestors. It is necessary to obtain the death certificates of each ancestor in the line of descent, if applicable.
These civil registrations must be recent, usually with an issue date of up to six months before the application for Italian citizenship is submitted. In addition, it is necessary to translate and apostille or legalize these documents, depending on the requirements of the Italian consulate responsible for processing your application.
These certificates must be in full format, that is, they are official documents that contain all the complete and detailed information recorded in a given civil act. Very useful also for the purposes of genealogical research and proof of eligibility for Italian citizenship.
These civil registrations must be recent, usually with an issue date of up to six months before the application for Italian citizenship is submitted. In addition, it is necessary to have a sworn translation and apostille these documents in a notary office authorized by the National Council of Justice (CNJ).
It is worth mentioning if the applicant for Italian citizenship is divorced, he must present the following documents:
Italian Citizenship Application: Divorce Procedures
If you are in the process of obtaining Italian citizenship and have already gone through a divorce, it is important to understand the procedures necessary to ensure that your documentation complies with Italian requirements. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to handle a divorce, whether it’s filed in a court of law or a notary’s office.
Divorce Proceedings in Court:
If your divorce was formalized through a court proceeding, you will need to follow these steps to ensure that the paperwork is correct:
Copy of the Case with Apostille: It is necessary to present the main parts of the case, including the initial petition, the minutes of instruction and trial, the sentence and the final decision. Make sure that the copies bear the proper authentication stamps of the Court of Justice.
Certificate of “Object and Foot” with Apostille: This certificate is essential to prove the existence and content of the divorce process.
Sworn Translation in Italian: All documents mentioned above must be translated into Italian by a sworn translator and apostilled.
Form “Dichiarazione Sostitutiva di Atto Notorio per Sentenza di Divorzio”: Fill out and sign this form, confirming the details of the divorce.
“Substitute Declaration of Certification” form: Complete and sign this form, attaching a simple copy of your Italian ID and proof of residence.
It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure that the divorce documentation is accepted by the Italian authorities.
Divorce in a Notary’s Office:
If your divorce was carried out directly at a notary’s office, follow these steps to ensure compliance with Italian requirements:
1-Duplicate of the Consensual Divorce Deed: Obtain an original duplicate of the divorce deed, apostilled and translated into Italian by a sworn translator.
2-Form “Dichiarazione Sostitutiva di Divorzio Notarile”: Fill out and sign this form, confirming the details of the divorce.
3-“Substitute Declaration of Certification” form: Complete and sign this form, attaching a simple copy of your Italian ID and proof of residence.
Please keep in mind that annotations or annotations in the margin of civil registry certificates are not accepted for the purpose of registration in Italy. Therefore, it is essential to submit the divorce documentation as instructed above.
Be sure to follow all instructions carefully and seek additional guidance if necessary to ensure that your divorce documentation complies with Italian requirements. This is a crucial step in the process of obtaining Italian citizenship, and the correct submission of documentation can speed up your application.
Application for Italian Citizenship: Other Required Documents
In addition to the common documents required to apply for Italian citizenship, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, there are other documents that may be required, depending on the individual circumstances of each case. Here are some of these additional documents that you may need to arrange:
1-Naturalization Documents: If an ancestor in your line of ancestry naturalized in another country before the birth of the next descendant, you may need to obtain that ancestor’s naturalization documents. These documents may include certificates or records of naturalization from the country in question.
2-Negative Certificate of Naturalization: For Italian ancestors, it is important to obtain a negative certificate of naturalization. That document confirms that the Italian ancestor never acquired Italian citizenship.
3-Proof of Residency: An up-to-date proof of residency may be required as part of the Italian citizenship application process. This document confirms where you live and may include electricity, water, telephone bills, or rental agreements.
4-Application Module: Depending on the Italian consulate or commune responsible for processing your application, you may need to fill out a specific application form. This form usually contains personal information and details about the reason for the request.
5-Identification Document: Be sure to provide copies of your current identity documents, such as your passport and ID card. These documents are essential to prove your identity and nationality.
6-Additional Documents: In some specific circumstances, other documents may be requested, such as divorce certificates, adoption certificates, name change documents, among others. Specific requirements may vary depending on the Italian consulate responsible for processing the application.
It is essential to point out that the analysis of documents involves verifying their authenticity, ensuring that they are properly translated into Italian (if necessary), and confirming that they are in accordance with the criteria set by the Italian authorities.
It is recommended to contact the nearest Italian consulate for accurate information on the documents required in your particular case. This is a crucial step in the process of obtaining the long-awaited Italian citizenship.
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Recurring doubts about the documents required to apply for Italian Citizenship by descent:
1. Documentation of Ancestors:
A recurring question is whether each member of the family needs to present the complete documentation from the Italian ancestor. The answer is no. Common documentation does not need to be duplicated, which simplifies the process for applicants.
2. Clearance Certificates and their Validity:
We are often faced with the lack of birth, marriage or death certificates of our Italian ancestors in the registry offices. In these cases, it is common to think about presenting a Clearance Certificate as an alternative. However, it is important to note that the Clearance Certificates are for Italian citizenship.
3. Non-Matrimonial Unions and Their Requirements:
Italian law does not prevent the transfer of citizenship in cases of children born of non-marital unions. However, it is necessary to follow specific procedures, such as presenting the birth certificate in full accompanied by an apostille and sworn translation, in addition to, in some cases, obtaining a public deed of declaration of paternity/maternity.
4. Residency in Other Countries:
If the Italian ancestor has resided in several countries, it will be necessary to provide a Negative/Positive Certificate of Naturalization from each country where he or she has resided. Detailed instructions can be obtained from the competent Italian Consulate.
5. Multiple Marriages:
In cases of Italian ascendants who have married more than once, it is necessary to present the certificates of all marriages, deaths or divorces, followed by the most recent marriage.
6. International Documentation:
For events such as birth, marriage, death or divorce that occurred in other countries, it will be necessary to provide the respective certificate issued by the authorities of the country in question, with recognition from the competent Italian Consulate or with an Apostille and translation into Italian.
7. Rectification of Certificates:
Discrepancies in the data of the certificates, such as spelling errors of name and surname, must be dealt with according to the specific guidelines of the Consulate, and may require rectifications to ensure the correct transmission of citizenship.
8. Children Recognized by Judicial Authority or by Public Deed:
In the case of judicially recognized children, copies of the complete process, translated by a sworn translator and accompanied by an Apostille, must be presented. Specific actions are also required for recognition made by public deed.
9. Adopted Children:
Foreign adoption judgments are not automatically valid in Italy, and it is necessary to follow specific procedures for their recognition.
With this information, we hope to have clarified some of the most common doubts related to the documents required for the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent juris sanguinis in 2024.
Always remember to seek up-to-date and case-specific guidance from the relevant authorities. After all, each process is unique and deserves detailed attention to ensure success in the pursuit of the long-awaited Italian citizenship.
