Recognition of citizenship by descent for UK citizens since birth, who are descendant of Italian nationals NOT registered with this Consulate General (AIRE).
Applicants must provide the following documentation:
- APPLICATION FORM
The application form (MOD 1 – see Forms) must be duly completed and unsigned. The application must be signed in front of the Consular officer during the appointment at the Consulate. Consular fees for the legalization of the applicant’s signature on the application will apply (Art. 24 – see Consular Fees). - ORIGINAL BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH CERTIFICATES
Original certificates of the last person/ancestor born in Italy. Note: The ancestor’s birth certificate must be issued by the Comune of origin in Italy and must include the indication of the parents’ names.
- DECLARATION FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Declaration for the last person born in Italy stating that they never naturalized in the UK. The declaration MUST clearly include a search for all alternative names/spellings as they appear on the other certificates submitted. If the person naturalized, the declaration must specify the date of naturalization, and an original naturalization certificate must be provided.- This declaration can be obtained for the years 1844–September 1986 from The National Archives (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk);
- For the period after 1 October 1986, the declaration must be obtained from the Home Office (ukbanationalityenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk);
Note: If the ancestor naturalized before the next descendant was born or during the next descendant’s minor age, the applicant does not qualify for Italian citizenship. Similarly, if any ancestor renounced their Italian citizenship before the birth of the next descendant or during the next descendant’s minor age, the applicant does not qualify for Italian citizenship.
- ORIGINAL BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH CERTIFICATES
Original certificates for all descendants in the line leading to the applicant, including the applicant’s birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage/s and/or divorce certificates.
WARNING: applicants who have changed their name and/or surname for any reason (including marriage) must submit a birth certificate with the new name/surname officially recorded on their birth entry.- For British citizens born in Scotland: You can apply for a name/surname change on your birth certificate by contacting the National Register of Scotland at the following address: namechange@nrscotland.gov.uk. (Request a Form 24 and state the reason for applying as “Italian Citizenship Application.”)
- For British citizens born in England: You may submit a Deed Poll, provided it is duly apostilled and has a certified translation into Italian. The Deed Poll MUST also have been previously registered with the High Court. Please provide evidence of the Deed Poll’s proper registration, duly legalised with the apostille and certified translation.
PLEASE NOTE: if the name/s and surname/s on your birth certificate do not exactly match the name/s and surname/s on your passport, you will not be able to submit your application.
- ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES (if applicable)
Original birth certificates for all children under 18 years of age living with the applicant. - APPLICANT’S PASSPORT
The applicant’s passport must be valid on the day of submission (original and photocopy of pages showing photo and signature). - SPOUSE AND CHILDREN UNDER 18 (if applicable)
Photocopy of the passport of the applicant’s spouse and all children under 18 years of age living with the applicant. - PROOF OF ADDRESS
A utility bill, council tax statement, bank statement, etc., dated no more than three months prior to the appointment. - CONSULAR FEES
Consular fees of €600.00, to be paid (in GBP) on the day of the appointment in cash or by Postal Order (Art. 7b – see Consular Fees).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- All of the above certificates and the Declaration (except for the birth certificate issued in Italy) must be submitted in original and must be legalized with an Apostille and accompanied by a certified translation into Italian.
- Apostille: The Hague Convention of 05/10/1961 requires apostilles for all documents issued by countries listed HERE. If the issuing country is not on the list, documents must be legalized by the Italian Consulate or Embassy in the country of issue.
- Sworn Translations: Translations into Italian carried out by a professional translator often require legalization or apostille. In countries like the UK, where sworn translators are not recognized, translations must be certified as follows:
- Certificates submitted for the recognition of citizenship by descent do not have an expiration date.
- All documentation submitted will not be returned, regardless of the outcome.
- Italian Citizenship and Maternal Line: An Italian mother can only transfer her Italian citizenship to children born on or after 01/01/1948.
- Processing Time: The process can take up to two years from the date of submission to be finalized (DPM 3/3/2011, n. 90, see HERE and Legge 7/08/1990, n. 241 art. 2, comma 6, see HERE).
- Appointment Required: Applicants must attend the Consulate in person (by appointment only). Please contact the Citizenship Office for an appointment only after you have collected all the required documentation.