Below is a compilation of peoples’ most frequently asked questions and our answers on all topics regarding Italian dual citizenship:
Usually not. Each adult will need their own appointment and consulates are becoming more and more strict with this. Minor children do not need to go into the citizenship appointment, but will need to be present in order to get their passports. Some consulates, such as New York City, have very tight security and will only allow the person named on the appointment inside the consulate.
Yes, as long as they live in the same consular area and are going to apply at the same consulate. However, if family members live in different consular areas, each family going to different consulates will have to present a complete set of documents. For family members applying together, we recommend bringing photocopies of the shared documents so that it is easier for the consular agent to find and process the application at your appointment. Also, some consulates require only photocopies of the actual documents; others, such as Chicago, insist on photocopies of the apostilles as well.
No, you cannot. All applicants must apply at the consulate which services the area in which they are residing. Proof of residency will have to be provided at the time of your appointment or you will be rejected.
No, you cannot get citizenship on DNA alone, you must establish that you fit the criteria for either jure sanguinis or jure matrimonii applications.
It is difficult to provide an accurate estimate as it is largely dependent on how long it will take to get an appointment at your consulate and how long the wait time is for that appointment. But for document collection, we suggest 18 months - 2 years for us to get all your documents collected. The consulate legally has 2 years after your application to give you their decision; most are taking the full two years of longer due to volume.
Again, this is very difficult to say as it will largely depend on your family and how many generations of documents you will need to obtain. It will also depend if you decide to go through the process by yourself or if you decide to hire a provider. The cost increases with the more generations you have to go back, if there were divorces in the family, etc.
Language requirements only exist for jure matrimonii applicants (spouses who are applying through marriage). Applicants who are applying for Italian citizenship through jure sanguinis have no language requirement for recognition.
No, mandatory Italian military service ended in 2004.
As of 2025, it is limited to two generations - a grandparent or parent must have been a citizen and never naturalized as a citizen elsewhere. (there is a current legal challenge to this as of December 2025, but this is the current law).
No, American citizens are allowed to be dual citizens with other countries as per the 1967 Supreme Court decision Afroyim v. Rusk.
No, you do not. Neither jure sanguinis nor jure matrimonii applicants need to take a test to be recognized as an Italian citizen.
In essence, the documents should have enough information to trace lineage. The key information you see on many long-form certificates are names, dates of birth, cities and counties of birth, parents’ names and ages.
No, you cannot use photocopies or your application will be denied. All certificates are required to be certified long-form copies issued from a state or local authority.
No, you will not. The consulate will send your documents to the respective comune through which you applied and the documents will not be returned to you.
The best way to save money on the process is to do most of it yourself and to apply with family members in your consular area so that you can share document/translation fees.
Yes, we also help clients get recognized as Irish citizens. Ireland also allows for citizenship through heritage, but their allowance stops at the second generation - so your Parent or Grandparent MUST have been born an Irish citizen for you to qualify. It cannot be passed to generations past that (if they are already born, you do transmit your citizenship to future generations.) If this is an option for you, it will be the easier of the two because Ireland requires less documentation. As an Irish citizen, you would also be a member of the European Union, so just like an Italian citizen you would have the right to live, work and receive standard benefits (like healthcare) anywhere within the EU (Ireland, Italy or another other member nation.) Schedule a consultation to learn more.