This webpage is currently under review following Law n. 74/2025, effective from May 24, 2025
Italian citizenship recognition is currently governed by Law n.91, introduced on 5 February 1992, (its subsequent addendum DPR 12 ottobre 1993 n. 572 as well as DPR 18 aprile 1994 n. 362) as amended by decree-law no.36 introduced on March 28, 2025 and published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale Serie Generale issue no. 73 , March 28, 2025 (www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2025/03/28/25G00049/sg). Decree-law no.36/2025 came into effect on March 29, 2025 and establishes limitations in how Italian citizenship is passed on.
Citizenship applications submitted after March 27, 2025 are subject to the new provisions which establish that Italian citizenship may be granted to an applicant whose parent is an Italian citizen born in Italy, or whose parent is an Italian citizen born abroad and who lived in Italy for a minimum of two consecutive years prior to the applicant’s birth, or to an applicant whose grandparent is an Italian citizen born in Italy.
Citizenship applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2025 (Rome time) will be processed according to the previous regulations in effect at that time.
You can apply for Italian citizenship:
- By descent (iure sanguinis)
- By marriage or civil union
- By resindency in Italy
- According to Law no. 124 of 8 March 2006
Please carefully check the section that is relevant to your case to read the specific legal requirements.
Applications for citizenship by descent must be submitted in the applicant’s country of residence, specifically at the Italian Consulate or Embassy responsible for that jurisdiction. If the applicant resides in Italy, they should contact their Comune in Italy.
The Consulate General of Italy in New York has jurisdiction over the following US States:
- New York
- Connecticut
- New Jersey (limited to the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren)
- The British Territory of Bermuda
N.B. Applications for Italian citizenship by descent are subject to the payment of a fee of EURO 600.00. The payment must be made by money order in US dollars to the Consulate General of Italy in New York at the applicable exchange rate for the calendar quarter. Please check the current consular fees here. The payment must be made regardless of the outcome, and it will not be returned should your application be denied.
ALL other citizenship applications (acquisition, reacquisition and renouncing your citizenship etc.) are subject to the payment of EUR 250 as set out in art. 9-bis, Law no. 91 of 5 February 1992. The amount must be paid to the Ministry of Internal Affairs according to the instructions provided in the different sections of this website. SEE THE RELEVANT SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE.
The Italian parents of minor children, who may be recognized as Italian citizens, must request that their child’s birth be registered in Italy by following the procedure outlined on the How to register a birth and NOT by referring to the Citizenship section of the website, which only applies to adults.