One of the most common questions we receive is whether you can apply for Italian citizenship online. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Currently, there are only three ways to apply for Italian dual citizenship:
- At an Italian consulate or embassy outside Italy.
- Directly within Italy, after establishing residency at a local comune (municipality).
- In an Italian court, by hiring an Italian attorney to represent you.
Let’s examine each method in greater detail.
Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship at a Consulate
This is the traditional method. Most people eligible for Italian citizenship by descent live outside Italy, so they apply at their local Italian consulate or embassy abroad. To find a list of Italian consulates and embassies in the United States, click here.
For many years, this process was straightforward: obtain an appointment, submit your paperwork, and wait. Even though you couldn’t apply for Italian citizenship online, the process itself was not too difficult. However, due to increased interest in Italian dual citizenship, wait times for appointments have grown longer. Additionally, since COVID-19, Italian consulates have faced backlogs and issue fewer appointments. It’s not uncommon to find that available slots are taken before you can even finish refreshing the calendar.
Don’t lose hope! If you persist, you’ll eventually secure an appointment. The advantage of applying at a consulate is that it’s the path of least resistance: you don’t need to move to Italy, you can handle the application yourself, and you don’t need to hire an attorney.To learn more about what happens at a consular appointment, click here.
Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship in Italy
If you’re already living in Italy or willing to establish residency there, you can apply at any of Italy’s nearly 8,000+ comuni (municipalities). You don’t need to apply in the municipality where your family is from. In fact, applying at a very small comune might be counterproductive, as they may be less familiar with the process.
The main advantage of applying in Italy is that the total time to recognition is much quicker than applying at a consulate. However, you must be physically present in Italy, which may not be practical if you have job commitments. For those who can manage it, this method is generally faster and sometimes easier than applying at a consulate. It’s generally an easier process as well, with most comuni only requiring the bare minimum number of documents per Italian law (as opposed to consulates which often ask for extras).
For those seeking to apply for Italian citizenship online, applying in Italy might be the next best option in terms of convenience.
Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship in Court
The final option is to apply through the Italian court system. If you have a complex case or can’t obtain a consular appointment, you may hire an Italian attorney to represent you in one of Italy’s regional courts.
This option is more expensive due to legal fees and can’t be done independently. However, timeframes can be quicker than applying at a consulate, though not as fast as applying in Italy. The duration varies depending on which court your case is filed in. Your case will be filed in the regional court with jurisdiction over your ancestor’s hometown.
You don’t need to be present to file in court; your attorney will handle everything on your behalf via power of attorney.
How to Know Where to Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship
To determine the best application method for you, consider these questions:
- Are you prepared to spend the entire waiting period physically in Italy? If so, you can apply in Italy.
- Do you want to spend the least money but are okay with waiting longer? Are you unable to relocate? If so, apply at your consulate.
- Do you have a complex case that requires an Italian attorney’s assistance? If so, apply in court.
Remember: A Human Will Process Your Application
Regardless of the method you choose, a live human Italian official (whether a judge, consular worker, or municipal employee in Italy) will manually review your documents. This ensures you’re eligible and have met all documentation requirements.
While this may seem burdensome, there’s a silver lining. Because the process involves human judgment, it can be subjective. If you lack some required documentation but can prove your eligibility through other means, you may be able to convince the Italian official that you’re entitled to recognition of Italian dual citizenship.
Common Challenges in the Italian Dual Citizenship Application Process
When applying for Italian dual citizenship, you may encounter several challenges:
- Document gathering: Collecting all necessary documents, especially older ones, can be time-consuming and sometimes difficult.
- Translation and apostille: All non-Italian documents must be translated and apostilled, which can be costly and time-intensive.
- Appointment scarcity: As mentioned earlier, securing a consular appointment can be challenging due to high demand.
- Varying interpretation of laws: Different consulates or comuni may interpret citizenship laws slightly differently, which can affect your application.
Tips for a Successful Italian Dual Citizenship Application
To increase your chances of a successful application:
- Start early: Begin gathering documents as soon as possible, as this process can take months or even years.
- Be thorough: Ensure all your documents are complete, accurate, and properly certified.
- Stay organized: Keep copies of all documents and correspondence related to your application.
- Consider professional help: If your case is complex, consulting with an Italian citizenship specialist may be beneficial.
- Be patient: The process can be lengthy, so maintain patience throughout your application journey.