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Applying in Italy: Your shortcut to get your Italian citizenship by descent in months

Aug 07, 2023

Are you considering applying for Italian citizenship? If you do, and in case your documents are ready to go, you might be wondering where the best place to submit your application is. While many individuals assume that applying at an Italian consulate in their home or residence country is the most straightforward option, there's an often overlooked alternative that can significantly expedite the process — applying at an Italian town hall.

In this blog post, we will explore why choosing the town hall route can be the quickest way to obtain Italian citizenship, especially when compared to the long waiting queues, upcoming citizenship law changes, and other challenges associated with consulate applications. If you still don’t know if you’re eligible, please use our free eligibility tool here to confirm your eligibility. If you want to know which documents you are required to present at your citizenship application, download our free document checklist here.

The three different ways of applying for Italian citizenship

Once you establish your eligibility for Italian citizenship 'jure sanguinis' (by descent) by using our free eligibility tool, you must make a crucial decision regarding your application location. If you opt for applying at your local Italian consulate, you will fall under the consular jurisdiction aligned with your legal residence, obliging you to proceed there.

Alternatively, you have the option to apply directly at our office in Italy, bypassing the lengthy consulate process. As a last resort for applicants with a woman in the bloodline whose son or daughter was born before Jan 1st, 1948, it’s also possible to apply through the court system.

Here is a summary of the pros and cons of all methods to obtain Italian citizenship by descent:

Method of Application	Pros	Cons
Town hall in Italy	- Easiest and quickest method (less than a year in most cases) - Convenient for local residents - No waiting time for the initial appointment with the consulate, you can simply walk in the town hall and file your citizenship request - Possibility to legally remain in the country for the duration of your application process, exempt from Schengen restrictions	- Residency requirement - Fewer appointments with local authorities in Italy as they might require clarifications or supporting documents - Need to apply for a visa awaiting citizenship after 90 days of stay in Schengen
Local Italian Consulate	- Ability to communicate in your native language (or the local language) - No need to establish residency in Italy - Widely accessible for global applicants according to your jurisdiction (home country or country of residency) - No need to visit the consulate on multiple occasions	- Lengthy waiting time (years or even a decade depending on jurisdiction / country) - US: over 4 years - Canada and Australia: over 2 years - Brazil: over 10 years
Italian Court Application (Pre-Jan 1st, 1948 cases)	- Potential avenue for specific cases	- Legal costs and legal representation - Complex legal process - Lengthy process (over 2 years) - Uncertain outcome

The pros of applying directly at an Italian town hall

1. Processing applications in months rather than years

One of the primary reasons for opting to apply for Italian citizenship at a town hall is the avoidance of long waiting queues. Consulates in many countries experience high volumes of applications, leading to lengthy waiting periods before appointments can be scheduled. In South American countries, such as Brazil, there is a 10 year waiting queue already, whereas in the US this can take at least 4 years to the appointment date only. In Canada and Australia the waiting can take longer than 2 years. This can cause frustration and delays in the overall citizenship process and its resolution, i.e. when the consulate processes your application and grants you Italian citizenship.

In contrast, Italian town halls typically handle much fewer applications, allowing for faster processing times and reduced waiting periods. After all, the processing of Italian citizenship applications is quite spread across Italy through over 8,000 Italian town halls! However, applicants are required to spend a relatively short period of residency in Italy, typically less than a year. In some instances, this residency period can be as short as 3 to 6 months, depending on the size of the town/city and its capacity. This expedited timeline allows applicants to fulfil the residency requirement quickly and efficiently within the law, making the town hall application an appealing choice for those seeking Italian citizenship. In the tab below you can find the detailed timeline for each step for those that apply for citizenship in Italy:

Apply for citizenship in Italy: The timeline step-by-step

1 - 5 days

Upon arrival you will need to inform the immigration authorities of your arrival, register that you are occupying your new Italian address (online communication) and fulfill other bureaucracies. This could take 1-5 days.

15 - 45 days

To register your residency, you will need proper housing documents and your genealogical documents need to be pre-approved, among other documents. Italian municipalities need to confirm that you are a resident before accepting your citizenship application. This confirmation visit at your address needs to happen within 45 days, otherwise your residency is confirmed automatically, yet it usually happens much quicker.

30 - 60 days

If your documentation is correct, the officer writes to your home consulate(s) to check if any of your ancestors renounced their italian citizenship. Don't worry, cases where this has happened are EXTREMELY rare and if it has, it does not mean you automatically lose your right to Italian dual citizenship. Consulates with higher workloads (Ex: New York) need longer to answer but the answer comes usually within 1-2 months.

15 - 60 days

The public official from the registry office can start transcribing your foreign birth certificate into an Italian one after the consular check comes favorably. The transcription can happen between 15-45 days and it also depends on the officer's time. Congratulations, from this moment on, you are already an Italian Citizen!

15 - 30 days

Once you have your Italian birth certificate you can apply for your Italian ID, at the town hall, as well as your passport with the Questura (Police). Italian authorities will send you your documents within 6-15 working days. We strongly recommend our clients to leave Italy only once they have received their personal documents. This is because consulates can take months to issue them, some even more than a year.

2. Personalized assistance and support

Applying for Italian citizenship can be a complex and bureaucratic process, involving numerous documents and requirements. Consulates usually have limited resources and staff to handle the high volume of applications, leading to potential delays and challenges in receiving guidance and support.

On the other hand, town halls are generally more accessible and can provide more personalized assistance to applicants, ensuring that your questions are addressed promptly and accurately. However, public officials rarely speak any English making it difficult to go on without assistance. The proximity to local authorities can also make it easier to fulfill any additional requirements that may arise during the application process.

3. Efficient communication channels

Clear and efficient communication is vital when dealing with citizenship applications. Consulates often receive a high volume of inquiries via phone or email, leading to delays in response times and potential miscommunications. By choosing to apply at an Italian town hall, you can benefit from direct face-to-face communication with the staff, enabling better clarity, understanding, and a faster resolution of any concerns or issues that may arise. This streamlined communication can significantly speed up the overall process and reduce the chances of misunderstandings.

4. A chance to reconnect to your origins

In addition to the practical benefits of applying for Italian citizenship at a town hall, there's a deeply emotional aspect to consider: connecting to your roots. For many individuals, Italy holds a special place in their family history, culture, and heritage. By choosing the town hall route, you not only navigate the citizenship process more efficiently but also get a chance to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Italian life. Spending time in the country, even for a shorter period, can provide a unique opportunity to explore your ancestral homeland, learn about local traditions, and forge a more personal connection to your heritage. This aspect of the journey can make the process even more meaningful, transforming the pursuit of citizenship into a transformative and cherished experience.

Conclusion

Applying for Italian citizenship is a significant step towards becoming an Italian citizen. While many individuals initially consider applying at an Italian consulate in their home or residency country, the alternative of applying at an Italian town hall should not be overlooked. By choosing to apply at a town hall in Italy, you can bypass long waiting queues, receive personalized assistance, benefit from efficient communication channels, and ensure a smoother process by working with professionals familiar with local regulations. If time and efficiency are priorities for you to start your new life in Italy or the EU, applying at an Italian town hall may be the quickest route to obtaining Italian citizenship.

If you require support with your town hall application, book a FREE consultation now! Our expert advisors will walk you through the town hall application process, answering all your questions and providing valuable insights tailored to your specific circumstances.

FAQ

1. What are the eligibility requirements to apply?: To apply for Italian citizenship by descent, you need to demonstrate an unbroken lineage of Italian descendants, with none of your direct ancestors having renounced Italian citizenship. Here is our short questionnaire to confirm your eligibility. Your Italian ancestor must have been alive on or after March 17, 1861, the date of Italy's unification. Also, they should not have been naturalized before their child's birth in your home country. If your lineage includes a female ancestor, her child must have been born after January 1, 1948, when Italy's constitution granted women the right to pass on citizenship, otherwise you will need to apply via a court.
2. Which consulate can you apply to?: You must apply at the Italian consulate that covers your current residence jurisdiction, be it in your home country or in the country where you currently reside. Consulates usually have jurisdiction over specific states. If you apply in a country outside the U.S. where you are not a citizen or permanent resident, you'll need a visa covering at least two years from the date of application. This is because consulates have a maximum two-year processing time for citizenship applications. Consulates abroad often have shorter processing times compared to U.S. consulates due to lower application volumes.
3. Do you need to speak Italian?: No, speaking Italian is not (yet) required for applying for citizenship by descent. You are already considered Italian by descent, and your application formalizes the recognition of your Italian citizenship. If you apply via an Italian consulate in an English-speaking country, the interview will be conducted in English. However, in Italian consulates outside the U.S., the clerks may primarily speak Italian and the local language.
4. Which documents do you need to apply?: You will need certified copies of all your family's vital records, as well as your ancestor's naturalization records or proof of non-naturalization. Click here to see the list of documents required. Some U.S. consulates require vital records for direct lineage members only, while others may require spouses' records. All records must be authenticated with an Apostille seal, except for your Italian ancestor's Italian records, which do not require it. Additionally, all records need to be translated into Italian. Check our blog post about
5. How can you book an appointment?: You can schedule an appointment for Italian citizenship by descent using the consulate's online booking system, Prenotami. This system works for all consulates in the world. Due to the health emergency, some consulates process applications via mail, while others conduct short interviews over the phone. The consulate will send instructions for your appointment a few weeks before the date.
6. Can you apply with your family?: You can apply for citizenship with your family members, provided you all apply via the same Italian ancestor at the same consulate or town hall. In such cases, you only need to submit one set of documents related to the Italian lineage. However, if you apply via different consulates, each consulate will require a separate set of documents. Minor children automatically become part of your application and do not need to pay a consular fee for citizenship.
7. How much does it cost to apply at a consulate?: The cost for U.S. vital records usually ranges from $5 to $10 each, while vital records from Italy are generally free. The cost for an apostille typically falls between $10 and $20. Additionally, the consulate's citizenship application fee is €300, payable on the appointment day in USD for consulates in the U.S.
8. How long does it take to be granted Italian citizenship via consulate application?: The consulate has a maximum of 24 months by law to process your application. Processing times may vary depending on the number of applications they handle. Applying at Italian consulates outside the U.S. may result in shorter processing times due to fewer applications.
9. How is an application at a consulate assessed?: The citizenship clerk examines your vital records for accuracy. They may request additional documents or amendments on the same day of your appointment if needed.
10. What happens when you are granted citizenship if you are living abroad?: Once your application is approved, your vital records will be sent to the municipality holding your Italian ancestor's birth record. You'll be registered with the AIRE (Registry of Italian Citizens Residing Abroad), allowing you to apply for an Italian passport at the consulate. AIRE registration confirms your Italian citizenship status abroad. Remember to update your address with AIRE if you move within the U.S. or abroad.