The Consular Experience

Becoming an Italian Citizen
 
As you have hopefully realized by now, this process is the pursuit of Italian citizenship, and success in this endeavor means that you will be imparted with all of the privileges and responsibilities that belong to Italian citizens born in Italy, holding an Italian passport is just one of those privileges.  Some things to consider:

  • You will not have to relinquish your U.S. citizenship in having your Italian citizenship recognized, the laws of both countries now allow for dual-citizenship. 
  • Since 1995, the Italian military has been a strictly volunteer service.  Should that change however, you will not be exempt from mandatory service if you otherwise meet the requirements. 
  • If you elect to live in Italy for more than 180 days in a calendar year, you will be subject to Italian taxation.  There is a tax agreement between the U.S. and Italy by which taxes paid to one offset what is owed to the other.  We (Your Italian Passport) are neither tax attorneys nor accountants and we strongly encourage you to consult a professional in these fields if you would like additional information. 
  • You are not required to speak Italian in order to have your citizenship recognized.  That being said, Your Italian Passport strongly encourages everyone entering into this process to begin a course of study in Italian; not only will it allow you to be a responsible and active citizen, but will exponentially enrich your experience traveling, working, and residing in Italy.  
  • Italian citizenship is not a quick solution to not having a desired work or student visa.  The wait lists at many of the consulates exceed 18 months, and many of the consulates take six months or longer to issue written confirmation of citizenship post-appointment.  Your Italian Passport handles the applications of each of its clients in accordance with the date on which the client signs on and the calendars of the Italian consulates.                      

What to Expect at the Consulate 
  • Review of your application for citizenship will be done in person at the Italian consulate in whose jurisdiction you reside.  Your Italian Passport cannot stand in for you at the appointment, nor will your materials be reviewed if submitted by mail.  
  • The Italian consular officer with whom you will meet will review all of your documents to ensure that an unbroken chain of Italian citizenship has been established between you and your Italy-born ancestor.                                               
  • The Italian consulate will keep the original documents (both U.S. and Italian) submitted in support of your application.  Thus, any documents you wish to keep for your own personal records or family archives should be ordered in duplicate.
  • The Italian consular officers have the right to deny without prejudice an application if it contains name or date discrepancies that they deem must be addressed through record amendment.  
  • Your vital records must be accompanied by Forms 1-4 of the application for citizenship.  These forms are available on all of the consulate websites.  You/your living ancestors will sign these forms at the consulate or before a notary in advance of your consulate appointment. *These forms are prepared by Your Italian Passport for signature package clients only. 
  • You will need to bring with you to the consulate the following:
           - Your U.S. Passport
           - Your driver's license
           - A current utility bill listing your mailing address 
             (no more than 60 days old from the date of your appointment)
           - A money order in the amount of 300 euros or the U.S. dollar equivalent 
​             (exchange rates listed on the consulate websites.)
  • If your application is approved, you will be advised that your citizenship is conditionally granted and will be made official via letter once your vital records have successfully been registered by the consulate in the town of your Italian ancestor's birth.  
  • You will not be issued a passport on the day your application for citizenship is reviewed.  Once you receive official, written confirmation of your citizenship, you may return to the consulate with proof of citizenship, two passport-size photos and payment for the passport.  It will be issued to you that day.  
  • Your Italian Passport will not reach out to the Italian consulates to check on the status of your conditionally-granted application.  Requests for status updates may be made directly to the consulate by the client.  
  • Your Italian Passport does not assist in scheduling an appointment for collection of an Italian passport.  Instructions for making such appointments can be found on all of the Italian consulate websites. 
Phone Consultation
​​During this 60 minute phone consultation we will confirm your eligibility for citizenship, talk about your goals, and come up with a plan tailored to your needs. This will be credited toward your Signature Package if you choose to move forward. $300

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