To the 17 million Americans of Italian descent:
Italian-Americans have had a tremendous impact on American culture. “One may claim Italian ancestry even if their ancestor left Italy 150 years ago,” says Rogelio Caceres, CEO and founder of Global RCG, a global mobility firm that helps people secure residency, employment and citizenship rights in other countries.. “If there is a blood connection, it’s possible to claim Italian citizenship.”
But for Italian citizenship by descent, Caceres says that two key events determine your eligibility: the date when your first Italian immigrant ancestor was naturalized as a U.S. citizen, and the date of birth of his children, according to Forbes Magazine.
“You see, in the past, Italians would lose their Italian citizenship if they obtained another one. Meaning if that ancestor became a U.S. citizen, he was no longer Italian, and therefore, his newborn children would not be Italian,” says Caceres. “In the opposite case, if the children were born in the USA before both Italian parents became naturalized U.S. citizens, the children would be born as both Italian and American citizens. After that event, the Italian blood connection cannot be lost.”
Here are the ways to become an Italian citizen by ancestry:
- Your Italian blood connection is not broken and comes from your father.
- Your Italian blood connection is not broken and comes from your mother. You must petition a judge in Italy.
- Your Italian blood connection was broken. You must reside for three years in Italy before applying for citizenship.
Ready to tap into your family roots and learn more about your Italian ancestry? Join the CIAO genealogy webinar on Saturday, March 19:
Click here to learn more and register.
Also, visit our Italian Citizenship page for an introduction to the dual citizenship application process.
