Citizenship Through Parent (Jure Sanguinis)

All documents must be originals or certified copies. Non-Italian documents must be legalized with an apostille (a special certification stamp) and translated into Italian by an official translator. An apostille is issued by the authority that issued the document—typically the Secretary of State in the U.S.

Italian Parent's Documents

Birth Certificate: An extract (estratto dell'atto di nascita) issued within the last six months by the Italian municipality (comune) where your parent was born. This must show the full names of your parent's parents.

Marriage Certificate: If your parents married in Italy, submit an extract (estratto dell'atto di matrimonio) issued within the last six months by the Italian municipality where the marriage was registered. If they married abroad, submit the original long-form certificate, legalized with an apostille and translated into Italian.

Death Certificate (if applicable): If your Italian parent is deceased, submit the original long-form death certificate, legalized and translated into Italian if issued abroad.

Naturalization Status Documentation: You must prove whether your Italian parent ever naturalized as a citizen of another country. Acceptable documents include:

• A Certificate of Naturalization from the country where your parent naturalized
• Certified copies of the petition for naturalization and oath of allegiance from the National Archives (in the U.S., available from NARA)
• If no naturalization occurred, an official statement of non-existence of records (CONE) or Letter of No Record from the relevant authority (USCIS, NARA, or county records office)

Your Documents

Birth Certificate: Original long-form certificate showing the city of birth and the names of both parents, legalized and translated into Italian if issued abroad.

Marriage Certificate (if applicable): Original long-form certificate, legalized and translated into Italian if issued abroad, showing the city where the marriage took place.

Divorce or Dissolution Documents (if applicable): If you have been divorced or your marriage has been legally dissolved, submit the decree or documentation, legalized and translated.

Children's Birth Certificates (if applicable): If you are applying with minor children, submit their original long-form birth certificates, legalized and translated.

Valid Passport: A copy of your current, valid passport.

Proof of Residence: A copy of your driver's license, recent utility bill, or latest tax return showing your name and current address.

Application Forms

You must complete and submit the following forms, dated within six months of your appointment date, notarized by a notary public with jurisdiction in your state of residence, and legalized with an apostille:

• Application for Italian citizenship recognition (with your notarized signature)
• Form 1 (with your notarized signature)
• Form 2 (with your notarized signature)
• Form 3 (if your parent or grandparent is still living, with their notarized signature)
• Form 4 (if your parent or grandparent is deceased, with your notarized signature)

Legalization and Translation Requirements

Apostille: All non-Italian documents must be legalized for use in Italy through an apostille stamp. In the U.S., apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued (for vital records, this is typically the state where the birth, marriage, or death occurred).

Translation: All foreign-language documents must be accompanied by an official Italian translation certified as accurate by the competent diplomatic or consular representation (typically the Italian consulate in your country).