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Naturalization or Lack Thereof

Recognition of Italian Citizenship “jure sanguinis” (by law of the bloodline) according to Italian Law 555/1912

 

FOR ALL CATEGORIES

Naturalization or Lack Thereof

 

 

If Ancestor was Naturalized as a U.S. Citizen

  • Certificate of Naturalization in original

AND

  • U.S. Declaration of Intention, Petition for Naturalization, Oath of Allegiance:

Complete packet issued by National Archives (NARA), no translation required (it is an official document bearing the red ribbon and gold seal of the National Archives)

 

OR

 

  • Certificate of Citizenship in original

AND

  • U.S. Application for Certificate of Citizenship

Complete packet issued by National Archives (NARA), no translation required (it is an official document bearing the red ribbon and gold seal of the National Archives)

 

 

If you cannot acquire certificate of naturalization/citizenship or a Petition

  • An Official Statement, in original with Office Seal (not photocopy) from USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Washington, DC)

AND

  • An Official Statement, in original with Office Seal (not photocopy) from the County Court in which the ancestor resided, stating the number of the Certificate of Naturalization, the date of the naturalization, ancestor’s full name (including possibly “aka”), place and date of birth.

 

 

If Ancestor was Never Naturalized

  • An Official Statement of No Records

(Original, not a photocopy, and with the Office Seal and the envelope) from USCIS. With Apostille. No translation

AND

  • An Official Statement of No Records

(Original, not a photocopy, and with the Office Seal) from NARA. With Apostille. No translation

 

AND one of the following

  • Italian PASSPORT or US GREEN CARD (photocopy) dated after the birth of next-in-line relative. (NO Apostille or translation needed)
  • Documentation, original, not a photocopy and with the official seal, showing alien status from USCIS (i.e. ARC/Mod. AR-2) OR NARA after applicant’s birth (NO Apostille or translation needed)
  • NARA Census Record

The first US Census, in certified copy, dated after the birth of first-in-line ancestor born. (NO Apostille or translation needed)

 

 

If Ancestor is still Alive and is NOT a U.S. Citizen

  • his Italian passport

AND

  • current U.S. permanent resident card (“green card”).

 

 

If Italian Ancestor went to a Country other than the U.S.A.

You must present the naturalization record issued by that country. For more information, see the website of the competent Italian Consulate/Embassy. A list of all Italian Consulates/Embassies abroad is available at: https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/struttura/laretediplomatica/

 

 

NOTE

When submitting a request to one of these offices, please provide your Italian ancestor’s full name (and aliases, nicknames, and any other names that appeared on any official documents), possible places and dates of birth that he may have declared during his life, according to the ancestor’s documents and information available.

Conduct a search that covers the time of the arrival of your Italian ancestor in the U.S.A., to the birth of his child born in the U.S.A., and support it with official statements.

This Embassy’s Citizenship Office has the right to request additional documents beyond the ones provided by the applicant on the day of the appointment in order to determine the applicant’s eligibility for Italian citizenship.

 

 

LIST OF THE OFFICES YOU CAN CONTACT:

  1. USCIS in Washington, DC (https://www.uscis.gov/). This office can provide a Certificate of Naturalization or a certification of nonexistence of a specific record.

 

  1. The National Archives in Washington, DC (https://www.archives.gov/). This office collects documents from all over the United States. You could obtain a certified copy of your ancestor’s “petition for naturalization” and “oath of allegiance” from the National Archives. Documents from NARA must be certified copies, bearing the red ribbon and gold seal of NARA. If no record is found, they should issue a letter stating it.

 

  1. County Court in which he resided and in which his child was born. It can also provide the Certificate of Naturalization.

 

  1. The USCIS Genealogy Program in Washington, DC (https://www.uscis.gov/records/genealogy). This office can send you a copy of your ancestor’s certificate or alien registration card, which must be supported by a County or NARA record, because USCIS will only release a certified copy to the person who received citizenship.

 

  1. The Regional Office of the National Archives. This office keeps federal documents related to the states in its area of jurisdiction. You can also obtain a certified copy of your ancestor’s “petition for naturalization” and “oath of allegiance”. Documents from NARA must be certified copies, bearing the red ribbon and gold seal of NARA. If the search shows NO RECORD, NARA can issue the alien registration card.

 

  1. Census record. It may provide additional information relevant to your case even if based on the information provided by the individual: immigration records, naturalization records, ship passenger lists, military records, U.S. passport applications, voter list records, and others (https://www.census.gov/). Ask for the first U.S. Census dated after the birth of the Italian-born ascendant’s child.