5 Key Criteria for Italian Citizenship “Jure Sanguinis”
Are you interested in discovering your eligibility for “jure sanguinis” (blood right)? Not every Italian descendant is eligible to have their dual citizenship recognized. First, you must meet a set of key criteria for Italian citizenship. This post is a follow-up to last week’s post; 7 Reasons Italian Citizenship Can Change Your Life. Here you can find a list of 5 key criteria for Italian citizenship. Get started now and see if you qualify. Before March 17, 1861, there was no #Italy. So, there were no Italian citizens. Share on X
Italian citizenship was exclusive until August 15, 1992.
Italian citizens who voluntarily naturalized in another country automatically renounced their Italian citizenship.
Children born to Italian citizens in a country with “sure solis*” acquired their foreign citizenships involuntarily because of their birthplace.
*meaning ‘right of the soil’, is a rule that the citizenship of a child is determined by the place of its birth. It is the predominant practice in the Americas but is rare elsewhere.
These children can claim Italian citizenship if they can prove that their Italian-born descendant was an Italian citizen at the time of their births.
They can pass Italian citizenship to their children, grandchildren and so on.
5 Key Criteria for Italian Citizenship
1. The Unification of Italy
Before March 17, 1861, Italy was not a unified country. Before this date, there was no Italy. So, there were no Italian citizens.
- To qualify, the Italian ancestor in your bloodline must have been alive on or after this date.
2. The 1912 Rule
Italian citizens naturalized before July 1, 1912, cannot transmit Italian citizenship to their children regardless of when they were born.
There are exceptions to the 1912 rule.
- The child must not have been a minor at the time of naturalization.
The child’s Italian citizenship could survive the parents’ loss of citizenship. It survived the loss if he or she reached legal adulthood before the parent’s naturalization. That is age 21 before 10 March 1975 and age 18 after that.
- The child was a resident in Italy when the father naturalized.
3. The 1948 Rule*
A person born before January 1, 1948, can claim Italian citizenship. They do this only through their father.
- The father was not a naturalized citizen of another country before his child’s birth.
- A woman can transfer citizenship only to her children born after January 1, 1948.
- The mother was not a naturalized citizen of another country before her child’s birth.
*If this is the only obstruction to your eligibility, you may still have your citizenship recognized. You can have your application reviewed by the courts in Italy. Some people have successfully challenged this rule in the Italian courts.
4. Naturalization & Renounced Italian citizenship
- Your Italian ancestor must not have naturalized before the birth of his/her descendant. This includes you and any of the ascendants in your direct line born before August 15, 1992.
5. Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia & Trentino Alto Adige
- If your Italian ancestor was born in Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, or Trentino Alto Adige, you are required to show proof that he or she left Italy after July 16, 1920.
Determining the key criteria for Italian citizenship “jure sanguinis” is not always cut and dry. Keep the following in mind:
- Every person in your direct bloodline must meet all the conditions listed above.
- There is no generational limit, except with respect to the date of 17 March 1861.
These 5 key criteria for Italian citizenship are intended to be a starting point.
Contact us to find out more about our Italian citizenship consultation services and how we can help you.
Have you had your Italian citizenship recognized? What difficulties did you have to overcome along the way?
*Affiliate Link
I lost my Italian citizen ship when I became American in 1986. I’m not sure why I went through the immigration process, since my father was born in Chicago, and technically I was already American through my father. I was born in Italy in 1966, and went to America in 1967. Since I became naturalized in 1986, I’ve been told that I renounced my Italian citizenship. Is it true, that to get my citizenship back, I have to go live in Italy for a period of time. Is this true, and for how long? What exactly do I need to do, to get it back?
Hi Teresa,
By naturalizing as an American in 1986, you implicitly renounced your Italian citizenship. Italian citizens who naturalized after August 15, 1992, retained their Italian citizenship unless they expressly renounced it. In order to reinstate your Italian citizenship, you must reside in Italy for at least one year. I suggest that you contact the Italian consulate general that has jurisdiction in the area where you reside.
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My mother got her American citizenship literally months before I was born but not before both my older sisters. My oldest sister got her Italian citizenship a couple years ago but it looks like I don’t meet the 5 criteria. Has anyone managed to still get their citizenship even if their parent lost their Italian citizenship before they were born?
Christi, What year did she naturalize?
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Hi Laura! My father renounced his Italian citizenship at age 16 when he and his family moved to the US in 1961, and he became an American citizen in the early 1970’s. I, however, was born in 1989, which I assume makes it impossible for me to acquire dual citizenship through him.
I have two questions: 1. is the only way for my father to get back his Italian citizenship through living in Italy for a year? 2. Would I have to wait until my father regained his Italian citizenship for me to attempt to get mine? Or, would I go about this challenge on my own? I have scoured websites trying to find information but have reached many dead-ends. Thank you!
Ciao Marisa,
Based on the comment that you left above, you are NOT eligible for Italian dual citizenship through your father, as he became an Italian citizen before you were born and before 1992. For you to apply for citizenship through your broken line, you would have to go through the proper channels and obtain a visa to live in Italy for 3 years to naturalize as an Italian citizen. There are visas for study, work, and elective residency, etc. Fortunately, it is not too difficult to obtain a visa in Italy. However, you can only work 20 hours a week.
Hi Marisa,
A friend of mine was in a similar situation as you, her father naturalized before she was born. She was able to get Italian citizenship, through a process that a lot of people aren’t aware of, but the law allows for it and the consulates recognize if.
It would take too long to explain here but if you want to know more, please reach out! I’m 99% sure you would be able to get citizenship this way! :-))
Hi,
I would appreciate it if you would provide information on how this is done. My dad became a US citizen in 1956 at a time when renouncing Italian citizenship was mandatory – I was born in 1959. This break in lineage seems to mean I cannot become an Italian citizen. Today, both of my children would like to become Italian citizens and live in Italy – possibly via dual citizenship. Any information on how I can reclaim the lineage from my father thru me would be so helpful! Thank you!
Ciao, Maria. First, if you have another Italian bloodline you should explore it to see if you meet the 5 Key Criteria. If that is not an option for you, your children could consider taking up residency and living in Italy for a period of 3 years. If your parents (first degree) or grandparents (second degree) were citizens of Italy but naturalized as citizens of another country before you or your parents were born (therefore breaking your chain/line of citizenship going back to Italy), you may be able to apply to become a naturalized citizen of Italy after 3 years of legal residency in Italy.
Hi Laura – I am in much the same situation as Marisa. Would you mind sharing that information with me, as well? Thanks.
Ciao, Mary. if you have another Italian bloodline you should explore it to see if you meet the 5 Key Criteria. If that is not an option for you, you could consider taking up residency and living in Italy for a period of 3 years. If your parents (first degree) or grandparents (second degree) were citizens of Italy but naturalized as citizens of another country before you or your parents were born (therefore breaking your chain/line of citizenship going back to Italy), you may be able to apply to become a naturalized citizen of Italy after 3 years of legal residency in Italy.
My GGM was not consistent with reporting names on official documents. In fact, not only did she call herself at least 4 different variations of Katerine, she changed the year of his birth on her husband’s death certificate and changed the name of her daughter, my GM. The state issued a correction as a strike through, but no explanation is listed. The father’s name even was corrected in this way. Is there still hope?
Ciao Jenny, Discrepancies on vital records are more common than you might think. To better understand your eligibility to have Italian citizenship recognized, I recommend that you send me a message with your documents attached and we can look at your case in more detail and see if you meet the criteria to move forward.
Ciao Laura .
My ancestor was born in 1813 under napoleon ocupattion and died in 1878. His son (my great grande father) was born 1858 and died in 1950. Do you think I have chances to fight in a italian court for my cittadinanza?
Ciao Tiago,
There is a possibility, but I can not definitively answer your question without more information from you. I will contact you by email, and we can schedule a free consultation to discuss your eligibility.
My father emigrated from Italy to the United States in 1913. He became a naturalized American citizen before I was born n 1943. Does this excluded me from eligibility for dual citizenship? If it does, do I have recourse?
Hi Lucille,
If your father is the ONLY Itallian line and he naturalized before you were born than you can not have your Italian citizenship recognized through his bloodline. However, A foreigner with native-born Italian parents or grandparents who have lost their citizenship and therefore unable to pass citizenship on, is entitled to apply after three years of legal residency in Italy.
Ciao Laura,
My uncle obtained his Italian citizenship from his wife, can he pass the citizenship to me? if not, can he pass it to his sister first (which is my mother), and then she pass it to me?
Ciao Tarek,
If I understand you correctly, your uncle is not of Italian descent and obtained his Italian citizenship through marriage. To have Italian citizenship recognized using ‘Jure Sanguinis,’ one must have Italian blood in one’s direct bloodline, and the direct bloodline must not have been broken via naturalization. If I have understood you correctly, he cannot pass Italian citizenship to you or his sister. If I have misunderstood your question, you can email me and we can speak in more detail.
Hi Laura Lee,
I was born in Italy in 1965 and came to America in 1966 and I was naturalized in 1972. My question is I was a minor when I was naturalized as a US citizen with my parents. Since I did not naturalize as an adult, did I lose my Italian citizenship?
Ciao Gerardina,
Unfortunately, since it was before 1992, you did lose it. Italy did not recognize dual citizenship before 1992, so any Italian citizen who naturalized in another country lost their Italian citizenship, including any minors who naturalized along with them. But you can most likely get it back.
One who was born an Italian citizen of record and later lost it before Italy recognized dual citizenship in 1992 can reacquire Italian citizenship by registering intent at their consulate and then establishing residence in Italy. Visit the website for the Italian consulate in your jurisdiction for more information on the requirements for reacquisition of Italian citizenship.
I have a similar situation as Gerardina. Born in Italy in 1937, came to USA in 1947, my father was naturalized in 1939. That had no effect on my citizenship as it was after 1912 and prior to 1992. I naturalized in 1956 while still a minor. Under Italian law of 1912, If I was of competent legal age (21 years before March 1975) and of my own volition naturalized in another country (USA), I would lose my Italian citizenship. If on the contrary, I was not of competent legal age, I may have retained my Italian citizenship. The fact that Italy did not recognized dual citizenship before 1992 is not a factor in my case because my naturalization may not be legally recognized under Italian law prior to 1992 and I was considered an Italian Citizen. Would the consulate of Miami, Florida look at this argument favorably? As I understand, he has some latitude to interpret the law.
Hi,
My grandfather was born in Santo Stefano, Sicily, in 1886, and immigrated to the United States in 1913. He filed a declaration of intention to become a United States citizen in 1921, but never actually became a U.S. citizen. In 1940 my grandfather had to register with the U.S. government because of the Alien Registration act, and he stated he was still an Italian citizen. My father was born in 1925, and I was born in 1967. Would I qualify for dual citizenship?
Ciao Jeff,
Applying for US citizenship is a 3 step process.
The Declaration of Intent or First Papers is a written statement showing intent to naturalize as a US citizen.
Petition for Naturalization known as the Second or Final Papers allows an immigrant to petition the courts to become a US citizen after meeting the residency requirement (2 years from 1790-1795, 5 years from 1795-1798, 14 years from 1798-1802, and 5 years from 1802 to present).
Certificate of Citizenship is issued after all requirements are completed, and the immigrant is sworn in as a US citizen.
From the information that you have shared here, you meet the 5 Key Criteria to have your Italian citizenship recognized. Your grandfather never petitioned the courts for naturalization. He never completed the three-step process, and he registered as an alien in 1940. He maintained his Italian citizenship.
My GFather was born to Italian immigrant parents in 1901 in Missouri. Birth certification wasn’t required there during that time, and, of course, there is no birth certificate. Are there any other documents I can use to establish his lineage? He does appear in a later census as a son, but I’m guessing that is insufficient. Any info is appreciated.
Ciao Sam V, I suggest that you look into obtaining a notarized extract of your Grandfather’s baptism record from the church along with a certified statement from the vital records office in Missouri that has jurisdiction over his birth stating that there is no civil record for your grandfather. Also, you can request a certified copy of the census record as a supplemental document.
My grandfather was born in Italy and naturalized in 1933 in NY. My grandmother was born in Italy and naturalized on May 14th, 1951 in NY. My dad was born on November 8, 1948 in NY. Does this make me eligible for dual citizenship?
Ciao, Aubrey. Since your grandfather naturalized in 1933 before your father’s in 1948, you are not eligible to have your Italian citizenship recognized through his bloodline. On a more positive note, since your mother naturalized in 1951 after your father’s birth in November of 1948, you qualify to have your Italian citizenship jure sanguinis recognized through her bloodline using the administrative procedure in the Italian consulate where you are currently a resident. Women are able to pass their citizenship down to their children born after January 1, 1948. This is under the condition that no one in your bloodline formally renounced their Italian citizenship in front of an Italian authority. You can contact me here for more information: https://digginguprootsintheboot.com/contact/
Ciao LauraLee,
If my Italian blood line is on my mother’s side and she was born in 1944, does that exclude me from getting dual citizenship?
My GGF arrived in US in 1911 from Sicily, my GF was born in 1924. I haven’t researched naturalization timing of my GGF yet, since I wasn’t sure if it would matter, given this is my mother’s side.
Grazie!
You could still be eligible to have your Italian citizenship recognized. Since you are the child of your female ancestor and born on or after January 1, 1948, you qualify for recognition via the administrative procedure if no one in your bloodline formally renounced Italian citizenship before an Italian authority. But, there is another very important Key Criteria. First, you must determine when your GGf naturalized.
Hello, I have a question about the 1912 rule.
You listed a child being a resident in Italy at the time of his parents naturalization as an exception to the rule.
But what would the case be if the parent naturalized in the U.S. in 1905 then after naturalization the parent went back to Italy and had a child born in Italy in 1909 and the child grew up in Italy.
Would the child be considered American?
Thank you for all the info!
Ciao Ania, Contact me here lauralee@digginguprootsintheboot.com and we can discuss the details of your lineage to determine your eligibility and the best path to take.
You have done a really good job writing this
Hi LauraLee,
My Great Grandfather was born in 1898 in Sicily and came to the U.S. in 1911. He was drafted into World War 1 in 1918 and I believe he was naturalized by the U.S. Army after being drafted, also in 1918. My Grandfather was born in 1924, after his naturalization. Does this make me ineligible, due to the 1948 rule?
My Great Grandmother was born in the US to parents from Sicily also, but I don’t think her parents were naturalized. She married my GGF after his naturalization in 1918. Would this work for me if her parents were never naturalized?
Thanks for your help!
Ciao Rich, If your great grandfather was naturalized before the birth of your grandfather then the lineage in that bloodline was broken and you cannot have your Italian citizenship recognized through him. On the other hand, if your great grandmother’s parents never naturalized as US citizens before your great grandmother’s birth or before 1912, then you might qualify through that lineage as a 1948 case that would have to be petitioned in the Italian courts with an Italian Attorney. Watch this video for more information on 1948 cases: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYeAcQIX5yUFrC39ft7h1_C1uDCdVWFd_
Hi Laura, I’m American. My line ended with my Great-Grandfather as he naturalized before his son, my Grandfather, was born. I however have lived in Italy for 4 years, gaining a university degree and maintaining a job. I have been here on a study visa then permesso di soggiorno 2016-2020. Would I be eligible to go for citizenship?
Ciao Joseph, Here is an excerpt from the website of Ministero Degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale. Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss your options further. https://digginguprootsintheboot.com/contact/
6. Acquisition by residence
Article 9 of the Law envisages the granting of Italian citizenship by Decree of the President of the Republic, providing for different ways and methods based on specific requirements of the applicants and graduating the period of legal residence necessary to legitimize the submission of the related application.
As a general rule, for non-EU foreigners, legal residence on the territory of the Italian State for at least 10 years is required (Article 9, subparagraph f), but there are many cases for which the period of residence required is lower:
– 3 years of legal residence: for the foreigners whose father, mother or any of the ascendants in a direct line of second degree were Italians by birth or for the foreigners born in Italy and residing there;
– 4 years for the citizen of an EU Member State;
– 5 years of legal residence following adoption for the foreigners of legal age, or following the recognition of status for stateless people or political refugees.
The requirement of residence is not envisaged for the foreigners who also worked abroad for the Italian State for at least five years (Article 9, subparagraph c).
As to the cases which apply only to the Italian territory, reference is made to the Interior Ministry for the related regulations.
Dear Laura
Thanks for a great and informative site.
Hello, I am curious if the 1948 rule applies to my case. I am trying to get Jure Sanguis from my great great grandfather Born in 1882. He died in 1919 before becoming a US citizen, my grandfather was born in 1908 in the US to an italian father that never renounced his citizenship. My Mother was born in 1946 in the US. Do I need to worry about the fact that my Mother was born before 1948? We made it through the 1912 law, so I thought we would be ok, since it was my mothers Paternal line, but not sure. I am already at the end of the process with all documentation needed, but now I am wondering if I need a lawyer due to my mothers birthday. Please advise. Thank you!
Hi LauraLee,
Both my parents are deceased. Most of my father’s family still live in Italy. He became an American citizen in 1956. I was born in 1959. Is there any way to fight the “break” in lineage so that I can apply for citizenship and pass this on to my children? There was no choice but to renounce at that the time of his naturalization as American citizen. Also, his family never left Italy so the heritage trail is long in Italy. If there is any way to fight this “break” please advise. Thank you for your response to this and my previous post.
Ciao, Maria. First, if you have another Italian bloodline you should explore it to see if you meet the 5 Key Criteria. If that is not an option for you, you could consider taking up residency and living in Italy for a period of 3 years. If your parents (first degree) or grandparents (second degree) were citizens of Italy but naturalized as citizens of another country before you or your parents were born (therefore breaking your chain/line of citizenship going back to Italy), you may be able to apply to become a naturalized citizen of Italy after 3 years of legal residency in Italy.
Hey there!
I am trying to determine my husband’s eligibility through his Great Grandfather. I’m a little bit confused by the 1912 rule so am hoping to get clarification on if he’s potentially still eligible.
His Great Grandfather was born in Italy in 1893
His Grandfather was born in America in May of 1919
His Great Grandfather Naturalized in June of 1919
My husband was born before 1992
All others in the line are deceased except my husband
Would that mean as long as his Grandfather and father didn’t expressly renounce citizenship that he may be eligible because his Grandfather was born before his father’s naturalization?
Ciao Autumn, I don’t have all the details of your lineage to understand if you meet the 5 key criteria. From the information, you have left since your great grandfather naturalized after the birth of grandfather and after 1912, you may possibly qualify to have your Italian citizenship recognized. Feel free to send me a message if you are interested in retaining my services to help you through the process. https://digginguprootsintheboot.com/contact/
Hello, I am curious about my eligibility for citizenship through my mother. She was born in Italy in 1956 and came to the US with her parents soon after. Her father became naturalized automatically but not her mother. My mother became naturalized at the age of 18 in 1974 and her mother a month later became naturalized. I read that she wouldn’t lose her citizenship because she was still a minor at the time as Italy considered everyone under 21 a minor until the following year in 1975.
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I am a 4th Generation Italian American. My great-Great grandfather was born 2-7-1881 in Belmonte mezzagno , His son, my great-grandfather was born 8-28-1908 in St.. Louis Missouri. My great-great grandfather didn’t become naturalized in the US until 11-14-1922.
Hi — My father’s mother was born in Italy around 1900. My father was born in US in 1930. I was born in the uS in 1964.
My paternal grandfather was born in 1900 in Italy and came to the US in 1923. He naturalized in 1931. My father was born in 1929. I was born in 1963. Do I meet the 5-key criteria?
It appears as though you meet the criteria. However, recently some consulates in the USA for administrative cases and some judges in Italy for judicial cases have been denying or questioning recognition of Italian citizenship when an Italian naturalized as a USA citizen while their USA born child was a minor, claiming the USA born minor child automatically naturalized when the parent did. It is uncertain how these cases will play out in the future. However, pursuant to art. 7 L.555/1912, an Italian citizen born and resident in another country where they acquired citizenship by virtue of being born there (jus soli), automatically and unconditionally regardless of the parents’ citizenship, maintains their Italian citizenship.