Eligibility Quiz
Documents Required
All documents must be officially translated into Italian by a certified translator and apostilled (legalized via the 1961 Hague Convention process for countries that are signatories). Gather these before you apply:
Identity and Civil Status
- Birth certificate: Original long-form certified copy with all annotations (including any name changes). Must be issued within 6 months of application and include complete parental information.
- Passport or national ID card: Valid copy
- Marriage certificate: Extract of the marriage act (estratto per riassunto dell'atto di matrimonio) issued by the Italian municipality where your marriage was registered. For marriages performed abroad, the certificate must be transcribed in Italian registers first. Must be recently issued (within 6 months of application).
- Italian tax code (Codice Fiscale): Required if you reside in Italy
Criminal Records
- Criminal background certificate from your country of origin
- Criminal background certificates from all countries where you have lived since age 14
- For U.S. applicants: FBI federal background check plus state-level criminal records from all states of residence
- All must be valid at time of application (typically 6-month validity)
Language Certification
- B1 Italian language certificate from an institution recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI)
- Recognized institutions include: University for Foreigners of Siena, University for Foreigners of Perugia, Roma Tre University, Dante Alighieri Society, Italian Cultural Institute
- Must be valid at time of application
Residence and Spouse Documentation
- If residing in Italy: Certificate of residence issued by your local municipality, or residence permit (for EU citizens)
- If residing abroad: Proof that your Italian spouse is registered with AIRE (Registry of Italians Abroad)
- For non-EU spouses: Italian citizenship certificate of your spouse
Financial Documentation
- Proof of payment of the €250 ministry contribution fee and €16 electronic revenue stamp (marca da bollo)—though the revenue stamp is no longer required for applicants residing abroad as of January 1, 2025