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Citizenship by descent

Recognition of citizenship jure sanguinis is governed by Law 91/1992, as amended by Decree-Law 36/25, signed into Law 74/25. Pursuant to the above Law Italian citizenship jure sanguinis can be recognized only if:

  1. The applicant was born in Italy from an Italian mother or father (art.1 Law 91/1992);
  2. The applicant only holds Italian citizenship and does not and cannot claim any other citizenships (art.3-bis paragraph 1 Law 91/1992);
  3. The applicant has already been recognized as an Italian citizen by 11:59 PM (Rome time) on March 27, 2025 — either through an administrative procedure or a court case (art.3-bis letters a, a-bis, b Law 91/1992), or based on an application submitted following an appointment communicated within the 11:59 PM (Rome time) of March 27, 2025;
  4. The applicant has a parent or grandparent who holds only Italian citizenship or they only held Italian citizenship at the time of their death (art.3-bis paragraph 1 letter c Law 91/1992);
  5. The applicant has a parent (biological or adoptive) who lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after becoming an Italian citizen and before the applicant was born or adopted.

 

1. Citizenship by direct descent (parent born in Italy)

This category is only for applicants whose parent (or parents) were born in Italy. Applications must be submitted in-person. Applicants must schedule an appointment on the Prenot@mi reservation system.

Please verify that your application is complete before coming to the appointment. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted and the applicant will have to schedule a new appointment and pay the fee again. Applicants must submit:

  1. Your Italian parent’s birth certificate (estratto dell’atto di nascita) issued within the last six months, by the Italiancomune where the birth was registered.
  2. Your parents’ marriage certificate. If the marriage occurred in Italy, please submit the estratto dell’atto di matrimonio issued within the last six months, by the Italian comune where the marriage was registered. If the marriage occurred abroad, please submit the original certificate (in long form), duly legalized and translated into Italian. Should there be discrepancies in how your parents’ names are noted on their marriage certificate, you must first have the document corrected, or submit the existing Court order that has granted the name change. The Court order must also be duly legalized and translated into Italian (the translation of the court order must be done by a professional translator who must also issue a certificate of accuracy).
  3. Notarized copy of the parent(s)’ green card or notarized copy of the U.S. naturalization certificate. If the date the green card was issued/renewed cannot be determined, you must submit the relevant documents of non-existence of naturalization as listed on the Check List. The naturalization certificate must show the person’s correct name in full and their date of birth (for married women the spouse’s surname on the naturalization certificate is acceptable). Should the person’s date of birth not appear on the certificate, you must request a certified copy of their declaration of intention/petition for naturalization/oath of allegiance issued by NARA;
  4. Copy of the Italian-born parent’s most recent Italian passport (if available);
  5. Your original birth certificate in long form where your parents’ name appear EXACTLY as they do on their original birth certificates. The document must be duly legalized and translated into Italian. Should there be discrepancies in how your parents’ names are noted on your birth certificate, you must first have the document corrected, or submit the existing Court order that has granted the name change. The Court order must also be duly legalized and translated into Italian (the translation of the court order must be done by a professional translator who must also issue a certificate of accuracy).
  6. If you are married, you must submit an original of your marriage certificate (long-form), duly legalized and translated into Italian. The certificate must show your parents’ names as they appear on their respective birth certificates. You must also include a photocopy of your spouse’s birth certificate (please refer to point 4 in case of name discrepancies).
  7. If you have minor children, you must include an original birth certificate for each child. The certificate must be in long form, duly legalized by apostille and translated into Italian.
  8. You must include the following Application Forms: Form 1, Form 2, Form 3, Form 4. The application forms 1-2-3 and/or 4 must be filled out before coming for the scheduled appointment. The forms 1-2 and 4 must be signed in front of the Consular Officer. Form 3 can also be signed in front of a public notary.
  9. Copy of your valid passport.
  10. Proof of residence: copy of your valid driver’s license / recent utility bill /latest tax statement (please only provide the page with your name and address).
  11. Payment by money order or cashier check made out to the “Consulate of Italy in Detroit”. Please include full (maiden if applicable) name on the memo portion of money order. The current amount is $701 (until December 31, 2025).
  12. Printout of the appointment confirmation from the online booking system.

 

2. Citizenship by descent “iure sanguinis”

Please verify that your application is complete before coming to the appointment. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted and the applicant will have to schedule a new appointment and pay the fee again. Applicants must submit:

Those who wish to submit an application must submit the documents included in the Check List and below:

  1. Your Italian parent’s or grandparent’s birth certificate (estratto dell’atto di nascita) issued within the last six months, by the Italian comune where the birth was registered;
  2. Birth certificates (in long form, duly legalized and translated into Italian), of every descendant in line, including the applicant;
  3. Marriage certificate of the Italian ancestor. If the marriage occurred in Italy, please submit the estratto dell’atto di matrimonioissued within the last six months, by the Italian comune where the marriage was registered. If the marriage occurred abroad, please submit the original certificate (in long form), duly legalized and translated into Italian;
  4. Marriage certificates (in long form, duly legalized and translated into Italian if issued abroad), of every descendant in line, including the applicant;
  5. Death certificates (in long form, duly legalized and translated into Italian if issued abroad), of every descendant in line (if applicable);
  6. Appropriate documentation issued by the foreign local authority which must certify that the Italian born ancestor who emigrated never naturalized or acquired any other citizenship abroad (in any Country where they lived). You must also include a copy of the ancestor’s permanent resident card;
  7. If the ancestor did naturalize abroad, the applicant must also submit a notarized copy of the ancestor’s naturalization certificate. The US naturalization certificate must show the person’s correct date of birth. Should the person’s date of birth not appear on the certificate, you must request a certified copy of their declaration of intention/petition for naturalization/oath of allegiance issued by NARA;
  8. You must include the following Application Forms: Form 1, Form 2, Form 3, Form 4. The application forms 1-2-3 and/or 4 must be filled out before coming for the scheduled appointment. The forms 1-2 and 4 must be signed in front of the Consular Officer. Form 3 can also be signed in front of a public notary.
  9. Copy of your valid passport.
  10. Proof of residence: copy of your valid driver’s license / recent utility bill /latest tax statement (please only provide the page with your name and address).
  11. Payment by money order or cashier check made out to the “Consulate of Italy in Detroit”. Please include full (maiden if applicable) name on the memo portion of money order. The current amount is $701 (until December 31, 2025).
  12. Printout of the appointment confirmation from the online booking system.

 

3. RECOGNITION OF ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ITALIAN DESCENT (Appointments already scheduled before March 28, 2025)

Italian Citizenship is based upon the principle of “jus sanguinis” (blood right) meaning that the child born from an Italian father or mother is an Italian citizen regardless of the place of birth.

In order to be recognized as an Italian citizen, applicants have to prove that their Italian ancestor born in Italy was not a naturalized US citizen before his son/daughter’s birth in the USA (see the examples listed below for more details).

This is the reason why it is strongly suggested that applicants start the process by acquiring their ancestor’s Italian birth certificate and his/her naturalization paper.

  1. Before you start
  2. Fast facts
  3. Examples and required ancestor’s documentation
  4. Applicant’s documentation
  5. U.S. Naturalization and nonexisting records
  6. Cost and payment methods

1. BEFORE YOU START

  • You can submit your application to this Consulate if you are a resident of the following States: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee.
  • Your application is individual and must be presented personally together with all the supporting documents.
  • In order to present your application and related documents you need to make an appointment through our online booking system.
  • If a family member, residing in our jurisdiction, is interested in submitting an application for the recognition of the Italian citizenship in the future, the same ancestors’ original documentation will apply, but he/she must present his/her own personal certificates.
  • Residents of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee whose family members have obtained the recognition of the Italian citizenship at a different Consulate or in Italy, must submit at this Office all original documentation from the Italian ancestor.
  • If you are concerned that the procedures indicated or the reacquisition of Italian citizenship may affect your U.S. citizenship, you should contact the appropriate U.S. authorities.

2. FAST FACTS

  • If your ancestor became a naturalized U.S. citizen before June 14, 1912 you are not eligible to obtain Italian citizenship, even if a closer ascendant was born before your Italian ancestor’s naturalization.
  • If your ancestor became a U.S. citizen before a closer ascendant was a minor, you are not eligible to obtain Italian citizenship.
  • A person born before January 1st, 1948 can claim Italian citizenship only from his/her father, who was not a naturalized citizen of another country before his child’s birth.
  • A woman can transfer citizenship only to her children born after January 1st, 1948, if she was not a naturalized citizen of another country before her child’s birth.
  • An Italian citizen who acquired a foreign citizenship before August 16, 1992 automatically lost his/her citizenship according to art. 8 of the law 555/1912.
  • The acquisition of a foreign citizenship by an Italian citizen on or after August 16, 1992 does not cause the loss of his/her Italian citizenship.

3. EXAMPLES AND REQUIRED ANCESTOR’S DOCUMENTATION

Example A. Your father was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth and until you were legally an adult* and you have never renounced your Italian citizenship. The following documentation is required:

1. your father’s birth certificate (from Italy);

2. copy of your mother’s birth certificate;

3. your parents’ marriage certificate;

4. your father’s current Italian passport and alien registration card OR your father’s naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service evidencing that he was naturalized AFTER your birth;

5. if applicable, your father’s death certificate.

*If your father was naturalized before your birth or while you were a minor, you are not eligible to obtain Italian citizenship. Applicants interested in becoming Italian citizens by naturalization, after a period of residence in Italy, can review the information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Example B. You were born after January 1, 1948, you have never renounced your Italian citizenship, and your mother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth and until you were legally an adult*. The following documentation is required:

1. your mother’s birth certificate (from Italy);

2. copy of your father’s birth certificate;

3. your parent’s marriage certificate;

4. your mother’s current Italian passport and alien registration card OR your mother’s naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service evidencing that she was naturalized AFTER your birth;

5. if applicable, your mother’s death certificate.

* If your mother was naturalized before your birth or while you were a minor, you are not entitled to Italian citizenship. Applicants interested in becoming Italian citizens by naturalization, after a period of residence in Italy, can review the information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Example C. Your father was born in the U.S. and your paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your father’s birth and until he was legally an adult* and neither you nor your father ever renounced Italian citizenship. The following documentation is required:

1. birth certificate of your paternal grandfather (from Italy) and your father;

2. copies of the birth certificate of your paternal grandmother and mother;

3. marriage certificates of your paternal grandparents and parents;

4. your paternal grandfather’s naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service;

5. If applicable, death certificate of your ancestors.

* If your paternal grandfather was naturalized before your father’s birth or while he was a minor, you and your father are not entitled to Italian citizenship. Applicants interested in becoming Italian citizens by naturalization, after a period of residence in Italy, can review the information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Example D. You were born after January 10, 1948, your mother was born in the U.S. and your maternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your mother’s birth and until she was legally an adult* and neither you nor your mother ever renounced Italian citizenship. The following documentation is required:

1. birth certificates of your maternal grandfather (from Italy) and your mother;

2. copies of the birth certificate of your maternal grandmother and father;

3. marriage certificates of your maternal grandparents and of your parents;

4. your maternal grandfather’s naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S (see the above address) evidencing that he was naturalized AFTER your mother’s birth;

5. If applicable, death certificate of your ancestors.

* If your maternal grandfather was naturalized before your mother’s birth or while she was a minor, you and your mother are not entitled to Italian citizenship. Applicants interested in becoming Italian citizens by naturalization, after a period of residence in Italy, can review the information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

4. APPLICANT’S DOCUMENTATION

1. Application form and declarations that you and your intermediate ancestor/s have never renounced Italian citizenship before any Italian authority;

2. Birth certificate, indicating the city of birth and the names of the parents (request a long form birth certificate or a certificate of live birth);

3. Marriage certificate, indicating the city in which the marriage took place (if applicable);

4. Minor child birth certificate (if applicable);

5. Original and a photocopy of the U.S. passport and driver’s license;

6. If not a U.S. citizen: original and a photocopy of national passport and permanent resident card.

PLEASE NOTE

  • You must include the following Application Forms: Form 1, Form 2, Form 3, Form 4. The application forms 1-2-3 and/or 4 must be filled out before coming for the scheduled appointment. The forms 1-2 and 4 must be signed in front of the Consular Officer. Form 3 can also be signed in front of a public notary.
  • Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and, if applicable, divorce documents related to the applicant and his/her line of descent must be legalized with an APOSTILLE by the Secretary of State of the State in which the document has been issued. The APOSTILLE is not a stamp on the certificate, but it consists of an additional authenticating page added by the Secretary of State in front of the certificate.
  • Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and, if applicable, divorce documents related to the applicant must be translated into Italian. The APOSTILLE does not need to be translated.
  • Copy of the birth certificate for all spouses born in the United States must be provided.
  • Each vital record certificate issued outside of the United States needs to bear a translation into Italian certified by the Italian Consulate in the Country in which said certificate was issued. This certification must happen before the submission to this Consulate. The consular certification will confirm the validity of the foreign certificate in form and content.
  • Check carefully all the documents word for word to make sure that no discrepancies or errors appear. Each change or error found in your ancestor’s documents must be corrected, wherever possible, through an official “affidavit to amend a record” at the Vital Statistics Office that issued that document. You can also ask for an “a.k.a.” (also known as) with all the names that your ancestor used during his/her all life. The Vital Records Office can provide it adding them on the original certificate.
  • Discrepancies and errors in your own documents must be amended and corrected. This includes your own name, your spouse’s name, and your parents’ names. If relevant discrepancies are found in your own certificates your application will not be accepted.

5. U.S. NATURALIZATION AND NONEXISTING RECORDS

The Italian ancestor’s naturalization document is crucial for the recognition of your Italian citizenship. Therefore, an accurate search has to be performed on this matter.

If your ancestor is still alive and is not an American citizen, you can present his Italian passport and current U.S. permanent resident card (“green card”).

Otherwise, you must present:

The Certificate of Naturalization with a copy of it and/or a certified copy of his “petition for naturalization” and “oath of allegiance” (which is an official document bearing the red ribbon and gold seal of the National Archives – NARA).

If you cannot acquire a certificate of naturalization or a petition, you must provide an Official statement of no record (original, not a photocopy, and with the Office Seal) to be requested to the first two Offices listed below (USCIS and NARA). Additionally, in case of missing Official statements, applicants should provide documentation that they are able to obtain from other U.S. authorities

Here is a list of the Offices that applicants can contact:

1. The USCIS in Washington D.C. (www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis). This Office can provide a Certificate of Naturalization or a certification of nonexistence of a specific record.

2. The National Archives in Washington, DC (www.nara.gov). This office collects documents from all over the United States: you could obtain a certified copy of your ancestor’s “petition for naturalization” and “oath of allegiance” from the National Archives. Documents from NARA must be certified copies, bearing the red ribbon and gold seal of NARA. If no record is found, they should issue a letter stating it.

3. County Court in which he resided and in which his child was born. It can also provide the Certificate of Naturalization.

4. The USCIS Genealogy Program, in Washington, DC (www.uscis.gov/genealogy). This office can send you a copy of your ancestor’s certificate or alien registration card, which must be supported by a County or NARA record, because USCIS will only release a certified copy to the person who received citizenship.

5. The Regional Office of the National Archives. This office keeps Federal documents related to the States in their area of jurisdiction. You can also obtain a certified copy of your ancestor’s “petition for naturalization” and “oath of allegiance”. Documents from NARA must be certified copies, bearing the red ribbon and gold seal of NARA. If the search shows NO RECORD, NARA can issue the alien registration card.

6. Census record. It may provide additional information relevant to your case even if based on the information provided by the individual: Immigration Records, Naturalization Records, Ship Passenger Lists, Military records, the U.S. Passport applications, Voter List Records and others (www.census.org). Ask for the first U.S. Census dated after the birth of the Italian-born ascendant’s child.

7. If your Italian ancestor went to a country other than the U.S.A. you must present the naturalization record issued by that country. For more information see the website of the competent Italian Consulate/Embassy. A list of all Italian Consulate/Embassies abroad is available here.

PLEASE NOTE

When submitting a request to one of these offices, please provide your Italian ancestor’s full name (and aliases, nicknames, and any other names appeared on any official documents), possible places and dates of birth which he may have declared during his life, according to the ancestor’s documents and information available.

Conduct a search that covers the time of the arrival of your Italian ancestor in the USA, to the birth of his child born in the USA, and support it with Official statements.

This Consulate’s citizenship office has the right to request additional documents, beyond the ones provided by the applicant on the day of the appointment, in order to determine the applicants’ eligibility to the Italian citizenship.

6. COST AND PAYMENT METHODS

All applications for the recognition of the Italian citizenship Iure Sanguinis (by descent) are subject to the payment of a 600 euros fee. This fee must be paid in USD for the amount of $701 (valid until December 31, 2025).
The same fee applies to descendants of Italian citizens over 18 (children, grandchildren, etc.) and to spouses of Italian citizens who got married before April 27th, 1983 and who wish to obtain the recognition of their Italian citizenship.

The fee must be paid at the Consulate the day of the appointment with a cashier’s check or a money order made out to the Italian Consulate – Detroit. The fee is subject to change every 3 months.

The application fee is NON REFUNDABLE, regardless of the outcome of the petition.