Don't get bogged down in Jure Sanguinis law!

Italian citizenship is passed down by birth through the paternal line, with no limit on the number of generations, or through the maternal line for individuals born after 1 January 1948. This is referred to as citizenship by descent, jure sanguinis.

You are eligible for Italian citizenship if...

You fall under one of these categories:

  • Your father was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth.

  • Your mother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth and or your ascendant was born after January 1, 1948.

  • Your paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your father's birth.

  • Your maternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your mother's birth and you were born after January 1, 1948.

  • Your paternal or maternal great-grandfather was an Italian citizen and was an Italian citizen at the time of your grandparent’s birth.

  • You are married to an Italian citizen or someone that fits into one of the above categories*. It depends on if you were married before or after 1983. Learn more about this in a complimentary consultation.

and...

  • Your Italian ancestor was alive on or after March 17th, 1861 (the date of Italy's unification).

  • Your Italian ancestor did not naturalize (become a citizen of the US or elsewhere) before July 1st, 1912.

  • Your Italian ancestor did not naturalize prior to the birth of his/her descendant or any of the ascendants in the direct line through which you are eligible.

  • No one in your direct line has renounced their Italian citizenship.

 Additional Information:

Italian ancestors who naturalized before July 1st, 1912 cannot transmit citizenship (Law n. 555 of June 13th, 1912).

If your Italian ancestor was born in the following localities Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, or Trentino Alto Adige, in order to apply for the Italian citizenship, you must prove that he or she left Italy after July 16th, 1920. Please contact us for more information on this requirement.

You can also take a Dual Citizenship Eligibility Test by clicking here.  

*The procedure for citizenship by marriage changed in April 2015. For more information on how this will affect your eligibility, contact us.

** Rules differ by Consulate and are subject to change. This should only be used as a guideline.