This procedure concerns minor children who were born abroad, who acquired a different citizenship at birth, and who have not automatically acquired Italian citizenship by descent.
The minor, in this case, may acquire Italian citizenship if:
- at least one parent is an Italian citizen by birth, and
- the parents submit a declaration of intent to the Consular Office.
Anyone who has been an Italian citizen since birth, even if subsequently recognized as such by descent, is considered an Italian citizen by right of birth.
This category does not include those who have acquired Italian citizenship:
- by naturalization
- by marriage
- by reacquisition of citizenship
- by benefit of law
- by iuris communicatione (i.e. thanks to the communion of rights deriving from marriage)
RELEVANT EXCEPTIONS
Interested parties are invited to consult the Births’ section of the Vital Records pages (this content is available only in Italian) and, if necessary, contact the Office at stcivile.washington@esteri.it if, at the date of the child’s birth, one of the following circumstances applies:
- at least one of the child’s parents is exclusively an Italian citizen;
- one or both of the child’s grandparents are, or were at the time of their death, exclusively Italian citizens;
- the parent has resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the child’s birth.
The notification must expressly reference which of the above circumstances applies.
It is understood that each of the above circumstances must be proven by appropriate official documentation, including, where required, certificates issued by the competent Italian municipality.
Last updated: April 8, 2026