Dual citizenship can open you up to a number of perks. It also can open you up to a number of headaches when attempting to complete the paperwork. Applying for Italian citizenship brings with it its own unique challenges and hoops to jump through. It’s always recommended to take advantage of a professional service that can assist you with this process because incorrectly filling out one document or not including a certain photograph can set you back months, if not restart the entire process. When it comes to how to get an Italian dual citizenship, you can still go over the kind of paperwork you need so you can at least be prepared should you decide to utilize a third-party service provider. And, if you do opt to go at it alone, this is information you need to follow and always keep on hand.
The Different Categories
There are five categories you will need to fall under to file for dual Italian citizenship. Category 1 is if your father was an Italian citizen when you were born and never renounced. Category 2 is if your mother was an Italian citizen when you were born and never renounced. Category 3 is if your father was born in another country, but your grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth. Category 4 is if your mom was born in another country and your grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth. Category 5 is if your paternal or maternal grandfather was born in another country, but your great-grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth.
The Documentation
If you fall under Category 1 you will need your dad’s birth certificate, your mom’s birth certificate, your parent’s marriage certificate, a copy of your dad’s Certificate of Naturalization, your own birth certificate, marriage certificate, or potentially divorce records. You will also need your father’s death certificate, if applicable.
If you fall under Category 2 you will do the same thing as you would do with Category 1, only it’s with your mother’s documentation instead of your father.
If you fall under Category 3 you will need your paternal grandfather’s birth certificate from Italy, your paternal grandmother’s birth certificate, your grandparent’s marriage certificate from Italy, your grandfather’s Certificate of Naturalization, your father’s birth certificate, Apostille and Translated, your mom’s birth certificate, your parent’s marriage certificate, all of your civil records (such as your birth certificate, marriage, certificate, divorce records, and everything else properly translated). You will also need a death certificate for all Italian-born ascendants (translated).
If you fall under Category 4 you will need your maternal grandfather’s birth certificate (which will be from Italy), you will need your maternal grandmother’s birth certificate, your maternal grandparent’s marriage certificate (if the marriage took place in another country you will need a certified copy of the marriage license from that country and translated into Italian), your maternal grandfather’s Certificate of Naturalization, your mother’s birth certificate, Apostille and Translated, your dad’s birth certificate, your parent’s marriage certificate, all of your civil records (again, it’s your birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce records, and so on), and finally, you will need any death certificate related to Italian-born ascendants.
Lastly, if you fall under Category 5 you will need your paternal great-grandfather’s birth certificate, your paternal great-grandmother’s birth certificate, your paternal great-grandparent’s marriage certificate (translated into Italian if the marriage took place in another country), paternal great-grandfather’s Certificate of Naturalization, grandfather’s birth certificate, grandmother’s birth certificate, grandparent’s marriage certificate, father’s birth certificate, mother’s birth certificate, parent’s marriage certificate, your civil records, and a death certificate for all relating to Italian-born ascendants.
You Can Do It
One of the biggest issues is attempting to figure out which of the categories you fall under. Once you do this the rest of the paperwork and the filing process will begin to fall in place. Again, it is recommended to take advantage of a service provider for filing and filling out paperwork, but whatever you decide to do, keep this information on hand. It will come in handy as you continue through the process of filing for dual Italian citizenship.
