This article will provide some key guidance and information regarding how to book an appointment to apply for citizenship by descent at an Italian consulate, both in the U.S. and abroad. It will also provide further information that will be helpful to you as you seek your Italian citizenship.

Role of the consulate

A consulate represents a state in a foreign country for the purpose of performing specific functions on behalf of the citizens of that country, such as issuing visas, renewing passports, or processing citizenship applications, for those seeking to becoming citizens, as this article highlights.

An embassy, in contrast, is higher in hierarchy and described as a permanent diplomatic mission. In other words, an embassy is responsible for representing the home country, for dealing with diplomatic issues between states and for preserving the rights of its citizens abroad.

For individuals who reside outside of Italy the consulate is central in the process of applying for a visa or Italian citizenship and is where you will need to schedule an appointment when pursuing your citizenship by descent.

Eligibility requirements to apply for Italian citizenship

To qualify for Italian citizenship by descent you must prove that you have an “unbroken” chain of Italian ascendants, starting from the ancestor who emigrated to the United States from Italy. In respect of males, unbroken means that none of your ascendants renounced their Italian citizenship, and that the ancestor who was born in Italy did not acquire a foreign citizenship before the next one in line was born. When there is a female ascendant, the additional requirement is that their child was born after January 1, 1948.

It is important to note that individuals born before January 1, 1948 can only claim citizenship through their father. This is because prior to January 1, 1948, Italian women did not have the same rights as men, meaning that their citizenship was not passed on to their children. This is now considered unlawful, and you can present your case before an Italian court.

As mentioned above, evidence will need to be presented to show that the ancestor who was born in Italy did not naturalize as a US citizen before the birth of his/her child in the United States. This is accomplished either by submitting your ancestor’s naturalization records (declaration of intention, petition for naturalization and oath of allegiance) or a letter from the U.S. Department of State indicating that your ancestor never naturalized. For more information on eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent click here. 

Consular jurisdiction (which consulate do I apply to?). Italian consulates in the U.S.

It is important to establish which consulate has jurisdiction in the area where you reside, as this will determine where you make your application. Each consulate in the U.S., for instance, has jurisdiction over specific and a number of states, and so it is important to be sure as to which consulate covers the jurisdiction in the area where you live. A comprehensive list of Italian consulates in the U.S. can be found here.

When you attend an appointment at the consulate you will be asked for proof of address (for example recent utility bill, a driver’s license, or bank statement) to show your residence is within the jurisdiction of the area covered by the consulate. It is always advisable that you check directly with the consulate as to which documents they require to avoid potential delays in your application being processed.

Italian consulates not within the U.S.

If you are making an application at an Italian consulate in another country, and you are neither a citizen of that country, nor have permanent residency there, you will be required to hold a visa which covers you for at least two years from the date you submit your citizenship application. This is because it can take legally up to two years to process an application for Italian citizenship by descent.

It is worth noting that, compared to Italian consulates in the U.S., Italian consulates abroad have quicker processing times regarding citizenship applications, because they have fewer to process, and so potentially the waiting period to be granted Italian citizenship could be less.

It is also important to note that Italian consulates around the world will have different systems in place for booking appointments, so it is advisable to check directly with the consulate to be clear and sure as to how you can secure your appointment.

More information about applying for citizenship at Italian consulate outside of the U.S. can be found here.

Pre-appointment preparation

We recommend booking an appointment as early as possible as waiting times can be substantial. Guidelines on how to book appointments are given on each consulate website, so always refer to it to know exact requirements. Furthermore, there may be variations in how consulates issue appointments. For example, some Italian consulates release citizenship appointments on different days, and some release appointments at specific times of the day.

Regarding citizenship by descent appointments, it is useful to note that if there are no appointments available when you first check, try and be persistent and look repeatedly and over the course of a few days as slots may become available. Alternatively, you can submit a request to be placed on a waiting list. However, be informed that if you opt to join a waiting list you will not be able to book an appointment. This is because joining the waiting list is seen as a form of booking, and so in the event you join a waiting list you would have to wait for the consulate to allocate you an appointment slot.

Purpose of the appointment

It is useful to include here why you need to attend an appointment at the consulate and to highlight what you can expect so that you feel prepared and clear as to this stage of the process to claiming your Italian citizenship.

As part of your citizenship application the consulate must review your family vital records and certify your signature on the required application forms. This is necessary in order to confirm your lineage and connection to your Italian ancestor; therefore validating your claim to Italian citizenship. For more information about these documents please click here.

Stages of booking an appointment: a step-by-step guide

When booking an appointment for Italian citizenship by descent in the U.S. you will do so via your respective consulate’s online booking system called “prenotami". We will now go through the various steps and stages regarding the process of making an appointment using this system.

1. Create an account

First you must register an account on https://prenotami.esteri.it/. You will be asked to give your details and to select the Italian consulate that is under the jurisdiction where you reside.

2. Confirm your account

Once your account has been created, you will then need to complete registration by activating the link which will be sent to the email address you provided. It is important to highlight that once your account has been created your personal information, such as name, date of birth, email address and telephone number, cannot be changed. However, you can amend and update other important information, for example, if you relocate and need to update your home address (which may have implications for which consulate you need to attend).

3. Book the appointment

After your account has been confirmed you will then be able to book an appointment. You will need to log onto your account and select the correct option on the page that applies to you, whether that be obtaining a citizenship by descent appointment, a visa or other.  

4. One-time confirmation code

Once you book your appointment, you will possibly need to check your email for a one-time code that will be needed to confirm the booking.

5. Confirmation email

Once the appointment is booked you will receive an email stating the date and time of your appointment. It will also give you details about the consulate address, and a reminder to arrive at your appointment at the consulate at least 30 minutes before the scheduled interview, as you must pass through security checks.

In the event that there are no appointments available

It is a remote possibility that some consulates might not have any available appointments. As mentioned above, if this happens you can join a waiting list. You will receive an email confirming that your details have been added to the list, and you will also be informed of the number of applicants ahead of you on the waiting list. 

When a slot becomes available you will be sent an email by the consulate, and you will be given a timeframe in which to confirm your availability.

Some other important points: do you need to speak Italian?

You are not required to speak Italian in order to apply for citizenship by descent. This is because you are formally applying for the recognition of your birthright to Italian citizenship.

As for your appointment at the consulate, while employees at Italian consulates in the U.S. speak English and Italian, interviews are conducted in English. Furthermore, if you are applying in other English-speaking countries the interview will be conducted in English.

With that said, if you are applying via an Italian consulate outside the U.S. the consular clerks, although might speak English, will mainly speak Italian and the language of the country in which they are based.

Can you apply with your family?

An application for Italian citizenship will automatically include your children under the age of eighteen, on the condition that you submit certified copies of their birth certificates with Apostille. Their citizenship will be granted automatically when your application is approved.

Applications made by adult children, or other family members will require separate appointments when the same consulate is used. Some consulates might schedule appointments for different family members on the same day, but this is not guaranteed, and be aware that some appointments may also be months apart.

In most cases you will only need to obtain one set of vital records in respect of the ancestor who was born in Italy and who emigrated to the United States. The individual who makes the first application will submit all the documents relating to their Italian ancestor. Family members who apply afterwards will only need to submit their vital records, i.e., birth, marriage and divorce records (if applicable).

It is always advisable to contact the consulate to confirm beforehand what is required, as requirements can vary. It is also important to state that consulates cannot share information with one another; therefore, if you and your family make applications to different consulates, each applicant will need to present certified copies of the vital records relating to their Italian lineage. If you would like to learn more about applying for citizenship with your family, please click here.

How long does it take to be granted Italian citizenship?

The processing of an application may take up to 24 months. However, this is dependent on the consulate, as some may have fewer applications to process. If additional documents are needed to assess your application, or amendments required, you will be contacted directly.

Once your application has been approved you will receive an email from the consulate stating that your vital records have been sent to the municipality in Italy where your ancestor was born.

It is only once the municipality receives your vital records and registers you with the AIRE (Registry of Italian Citizens Residing Abroad), that you will then be eligible to apply for an Italian passport.

Conclusion 

This article has sought to provide some essential guidance regarding the process of securing an appointment at an Italian consulate for your application for citizenship by descent. While we always strive to give information in accordance with the most recent guidelines, given that regulations can be subject to changes, it is always advised you check and confirm details on the website of the consulate that has jurisdiction in the area where you reside.

If you require any further information, or you would like a free eligibility assessment please do not hesitate to contact us. You can contact us directly at info@italiancitizenshipassistance.com. One of our specialists will be happy to offer our expertise and support.