Yes, you can apply for Italian citizenship by descent even if your ancestor was in the military, as long as they retained Italian citizenship and meet eligibility criteria.
Military service by an Italian ancestor does not prevent descendants from applying for Italian citizenship by descent. Below are the main considerations regarding eligibility when an ancestor served in the military.
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Retention of Italian Citizenship:
- Proof of Citizenship Retention: As with any other applicant, eligibility depends on the ancestor’s retention of Italian citizenship. If they served in a foreign military, they must not have renounced their Italian citizenship before the birth of their descendant.
- Service in Italian Armed Forces: Service in the Italian military typically reinforces Italian nationality and does not impact eligibility for descendants applying for citizenship by descent.
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Military Records as Documentation:
- Supporting Documentation: Military records may help document the ancestor’s citizenship status and Italian nationality, especially if they served in the Italian armed forces.
- Supplementary Records: In cases where military service affected naturalization status, additional documentation, such as naturalization records, may be required to confirm eligibility.
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Consideration for Ancestors Serving in Foreign Militaries:
- Impact on Citizenship Status: If the ancestor served in a foreign military and subsequently renounced Italian citizenship, it may break the lineage. The timing of renunciation is essential—if they renounced Italian citizenship before the birth of their child, this may impact eligibility.
- Legal Assistance for Complex Cases: For cases involving foreign military service, consulting a citizenship lawyer can help clarify eligibility and gather necessary records.
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Documentation for Application Process:
- Proof of Lineage and Citizenship: Applicants must still provide the standard required documents, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as apostilles and translations, to confirm lineage.
- Military Service as Supplemental Proof: If available, military records can be submitted alongside other documentation to support the application.
Conclusion:
You may apply for Italian citizenship by descent if your ancestor served in the military, provided they retained Italian citizenship. Military records can serve as supplemental documentation, but the ancestor’s citizenship status at the time of the descendant’s birth remains the key eligibility factor.