The declaration of re-acquisition by a former Italian citizen can be submitted between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027.
Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025, converting Decree Law 36/2025, amended Article 17, paragraph 1, of Law No. 91/1992, allowing former Italian citizens, including those residing abroad, in certain cases and for a limited time period, to reacquire Italian citizenship by submitting a declaration.
WHO CAN REQUEST IT
The new Article 17, paragraph 1, of Law No. 91/1992 applies when the following requirements are met:
- The applicant must have been born in Italy or have been resident in Italy for at least two consecutive years;
- The applicant must have lost Italian citizenship no later than August 15, 1992, in one of the following cases:
- Voluntarily acquired a foreign citizenship no later than August 15, 1992, and established residence abroad (articolo 8, numero 1°, della legge n. 555/1912);
- Having automatically acquired a foreign citizenship (not by their own choice), they renounced Italian citizenship and established residence abroad (articolo 8, numero 2°, della legge n. 555/1912);
- Was a minor child (not emancipated) of someone who lost citizenship, shared residence with the parent, and acquired the citizenship of a foreign state (articolo 12 della legge n. 555/1912).
WHO CANNOT REQUEST IT
The new Article 17, paragraph 1, of Law No. 91/1992 does NOT apply to:
- Former citizens born abroad who have not resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years;
- Those who lost citizenship after August 15, 1992 (for any reason);
- Those who lost citizenship under articolo 8, numero 3° (i.e., anyone who, “having accepted employment with a foreign government or entered military service for a foreign power, persisted in such service despite the Italian government’s order to leave such employment or service within a specified time”);
- Those who did not exercise the option provided by articolo 5, secondo comma, della legge n. 123/1983 (a minor child, including adopted, of an Italian father or mother who, in case of dual citizenship, could choose one citizenship within one year of reaching the age of majority).
DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT
- Valid Passaport
- US Driver License
- Current Utility bill
- Birth Certificate
- If born in Italy: Original certificate issued by the Vital Recors office of the city of birth
- If born abroad:
- if born in the USA: original certificate, with an Apostille and Italian translation
- if born in a different country: original certificate, with Apostille and Italian translation certified by the Italian Embassy or Consulate that is competent for the country of birth
- A historical citizenship certificate issued by the Vital Records office in the Italian city of last residence
- Only for applicants born abroad: a historical residence certificate issued by the relevant Italian Municipality showing at least two consecutive years of residence in Italy
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship, in original (it will be returned) and a photocopy.
(For proof of naturalization in another country, please consult the instruction on the relevant Italian Consulate website) - If applicable, documentation proving other citizenships
CONSULAR FEE
On the day of the appointment, the applicant must pay the consular fee of $283. The payment can be completed with a money order made out to the “Consulate of Italy in Detroit”.
PROCEDURE
Send an email to the Consulate to the address consdetroit.viceconsole@esteri.it to share a scanned copy of the documentation and request an appointment.
The Consulate, once the documentation is deemed complete, will make sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
The applicant will need to come in person to the Consulate on the day of the appointment with all the required, original documents to confirm and sign a declaration to reacquire Italian citizenship status.
Once the documents are verified and in order, the Consulate will prepare a confirmation document and register it with the relevant Italian city offices.
The applicant will receive an email once the process is successfully completed.
EFFECTS OF THE REACQUISITION OF ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP
The reacquisition of Italian citizenship does not have retroactive effects.
Children and spouses of the people who reacquire Italian citizenship DO NOT REACQUIRE, NOR ACQUIRE Italian citizenship automatically.