Italian Citizenship by Jure Sanguis Simplified Rules

Born to an Italian father who had not renounced his Italian citizenship before you were born up to 1948.

After 1/1/1948 the same applies to being born to an Italian mother.

NOTE: “Italian citizen at the time of “birth” means that your father/mother did not acquire citizenship through naturalization, before your birth.

CATEGORIES AND CONDITIONS THAT NEED TO BE MET:

CATEGORY 1: Your father was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth and you never renounced your right to the Italian citizenship.

your father’s birth certificate
your mother’s birth certificate
your parents’ marriage certificate from Italy. If it took place in the USA, you must obtain a “certified copy”
your father’s certificate of naturalization or his Italian passport and permanent resident card.
your civil records: birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children under 18; divorce records if applicable.
your father’s death certificate, if deceased,

CATEGORY 2: Your mother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth, you were born after January 1st, 1948 and you never renounced your right to the Italian citizenship.

your mother’s birth certificate from the “comune”
your father’s birth certificate
your parents’ marriage certificate from Italy,
a copy of your mother’s certificate of naturalization
your civil records: birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children under 18; divorce records if applicable.
your mother’s death certificate,

CATEGORY 3: Your father was born outside Italy, your paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of his birth, neither you nor your father ever renounced your right to the Italian citizenship.

your paternal grandfather’s birth certificate (from Italy)
your paternal grandmother’s birth certificate
your grandparents’ marriage certificate from Italy,
your grandfather’s certificate of naturalization
your father’s birth certificate,
your mother’s birth certificate
your parents’ marriage certificate,
your civil records: birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children under 18, divorce records
death certificate/s relating to Italian born ascendant only,

If your grandfather became a naturalized U.S. citizen before your father’s birth, you are not entitled to Italian citizenship (unless you fit into another category).

CATEGORY 4: Your mother was born in a Country other than Italy, your maternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of her birth, you were born after January 1, 1948 and neither you nor your mother ever renounced your right to the Italian citizenship.

your maternal grandfather’s birth certificate (from Italy)
your maternal grandmother’s birth certificate
your maternal grandparents’ marriage certificate from Italy
your maternal grandfather’s certificate of naturalization
your mother’ s birth certificate,
your father’ s birth certificate
your parents’ marriage certificate,
your civil records: birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children under 18; divorce records, Apostille and official translation
death certificate/s relating to the Italian born ascendant only

If your grandfather became a naturalized citizen before your mother’s birth, you are not entitled to Italian citizenship (unless you fit into another category).

CATEGORY 5: Your paternal or maternal grandfather was born in the United States or other country, your paternal great-grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of his birth, neither you nor your father nor your grandfather ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship. (Please note: a grandmother born before 01/01/1948 can claim Italian citizenship only from her father and can transfer it only to children born after 01/01/1948.

your paternal great grandfather’s birth certificate (from Italy)
your paternal great grandmother’s birth certificate
your paternal great grandparents’ marriage certificate from Italy,
your paternal great grandfather’s certificate of naturalization
your paternal grandfather’s birth certificate,
your paternal grandmother’s birth certificate
your paternal grandparents’ marriage certificate,
your father’s birth certificate,
your mother’s birth certificate
your parents’ marriage certificate,
your civil records: birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children under 18; divorce records, Apostille and translated into Italian
death certificate/s relating to the Italian born ascendant only

If your great-grandfather became a naturalized U.S. citizen before your paternal grandfather’s birth, you are not entitled to Italian citizenship (unless you fit into another category).

DISCREPANCIES (IMPORTANT)

Check all documents word for word to make sure that there are no discrepancies or changes in the names, last names, dates and places of birth. If there are major discrepancies in last names, dates, ages, and places of birth these variations or errors must be corrected with an official “affidavit to amend a record” to be requested from the Vital Statistics Office that issued the document or with another appropriate official document.

It is also possible in some cases to obtain a special certificate from Italy showing that they are the same person therefore avoiding the official affidavits on the American or other records.