Individuals qualify for Italian citizenship by descent if they can trace their lineage to an Italian ancestor who maintained Italian citizenship and did not renounce it before the birth of the next descendant.
Italian citizenship by descent is available to non-Italian citizens with Italian ancestry through the principle of jure sanguinis (right of blood). This type of citizenship allows descendants of Italian citizens to apply, provided they meet specific criteria. Below are the qualifications for Italian citizenship by descent.
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Direct Lineage to an Italian Ancestor:
- Unbroken Ancestral Line: Applicants must trace a direct line back to an Italian ancestor, typically a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was born in Italy and held Italian citizenship.
- Post-Unification Requirement: The Italian ancestor must have been alive after Italy’s unification on March 17, 1861, as this marks the establishment of modern Italian citizenship.
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No Renunciation of Citizenship:
- Continuous Citizenship Requirement: The Italian ancestor must not have renounced Italian citizenship before the birth of the next generation in the family line.
- Exceptions for Dual Citizenship: If the ancestor acquired another citizenship, they must not have formally renounced Italian citizenship to remain eligible.
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Documentation and Proof of Descent:
- Vital Records: Applicants need to provide official birth, marriage, and death certificates for each ancestor in the Italian lineage to establish an unbroken chain of descent.
- Apostille and Translation: All documents must be authenticated with an apostille and professionally translated into Italian before submission.
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Maternal Line Eligibility:
- Maternal Line Limitation: Those claiming citizenship through a female ancestor may only do so if the next descendant in the line was born after January 1, 1948, due to previous restrictions on women passing citizenship.
Conclusion:
Eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent requires a direct, documented lineage to an Italian ancestor who maintained Italian citizenship without renouncing it before the birth of their descendant. By meeting these criteria, applicants can connect to their Italian heritage and benefit from the rights associated with Italian and EU citizenship.