Italian Dual Citizenship in New York

If you’ve been thinking about seeking Italian dual citizenship in New York, ITAMCAP is here to help. Many people in the United States are eligible to apply for Italian citizenship without even realizing it.

If you have an Italian lineage, or a close family member who may have passed down citizenship through birth or adoption, our team can help you understand eligibility for Italian dual citizenship and plan your application from start to finish.

The Benefits of Italian Dual Citizenship

Obtaining Italian dual citizenship in New York can be a paperwork-heavy application process, but the benefits can be life-changing—especially for people seeking long-term options in Europe. Some of the benefits include:

• One of the biggest advantages of dual citizenship in Italy is the ability to live and work throughout the European Union
• Access to education in Italy, often at significantly reduced costs once you’re a citizen
• Legal recognition and protections that come with being an Italian national
• The right to vote in Italian elections
• The ability to apply for an Italian passport after recognition of citizenship

With ITAMCAP, applicants pursuing Italian citizenship in NYC also have access to professional help that can reduce errors and delays—especially when the work involves document translation and other details that must match the expectations of the Italian government offices reviewing your file. Italian dual citizenship applicants in the New York area can also get support with apostille services and records support.

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How to Gain Dual Citizenship

There are a few ways to acquire Italian citizenship, such as through Italian descent, through marriage, and through naturalization. If you think you might qualify for citizenship, contact us and get the process started.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility and pathway

The first step is confirming what route applies to you and what “qualifying” means for your family line. Many cases fall under bloodline citizenship through descent, but the details are important.

Common scenarios include:

• Italian citizenship through parents (your mother or father was eligible to pass citizenship)
• Italian citizenship through grandparents (your grandparent retained the right to pass citizenship down the line)
• Marriage-based options, depending on your circumstances and supporting proof

The first two options are known as Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), where citizenship is recognized through your direct line. Italian citizenship law relating to jure sanguinis changed dramatically due to Law 74/2025, so it is important to be aware that individuals who may have qualified for citizenship under the old law may no longer be eligible.

Generally, jure sanguinis recognition now requires that a parent or grandparent held exclusively Italian citizenship, or that a parent resided in Italy for at least two continuous years after acquiring citizenship. Applications filed by March 27, 2025, are not subject to these new restrictions.

Our role in providing Italian citizenship assistance is as follows: we review your family history, identify your likely pathway, and explain the key issues that can affect outcomes. This is also where we answer the big question clearly—who qualifies for Italian citizenship—based on your ancestry timeline and records.

Step 2: Gather and verify Italian citizenship documents

Once the pathway is clear, you’ll typically need a document plan that traces your line and proves key events. Applications based on Italian ancestry rely on complete, consistent records that connect each generation. For most families, this means pulling records from multiple jurisdictions and verifying that names, dates, and places line up consistently.

You’ll potentially have to gather:

• S. vital records, including each required birth certificate and marriage certificate in your lineage
• Italian vital records (for the Italian-born ancestor), which often come from local offices in Italy
• Naturalization records (or proof of non-naturalization), when applicable
• Any court orders or amendments needed to correct errors across documents

Because each case is unique, it’s impossible to list every document that every applicant will need. Our team helps you identify the exact Italian citizenship documents needed for your specific line.

Step 3: Translate and legalize your records

Your documents often need formal legalization steps so they’re accepted for applying for citizenship through a consulate or in Italy.

This step often includes:

• Italian citizenship document translation that meets the format expectations of the filing office
• Help to translate to Italian accurately (names, places, and legal language matter)
• Apostille services for records that require authentication
• A final quality check so the packet is consistent, readable, and ready to submit

This is one of the most common failure points for applications for Italian citizenship: a missing apostille, a translation mismatch, or a small discrepancy that triggers a request for corrections. We focus on preventing that from happening.

Step 4: Submit your Italian citizenship application

After the file is assembled, you’ll submit your Italian citizenship application through the appropriate channel. For local residents, that means filing through the Italian consulate in New York for appointments and processing. In practical terms, you’ll complete the required application form, submit the packet, and then wait for the consulate to review and process the case.

In some situations, the route is different:

• If you plan to be a resident in Italy, you may pursue an in-Italy pathway through the local authorities after you’ve legally established residence (for people who have lived in Italy or intend to relocate).
• If your case can’t be handled administratively—such as pre-1948 maternal-line scenarios—your claim may require action in Italian courts. In those cases, an Italian citizenship lawyer is usually needed for the legal filing, and we can help coordinate the documentation side with the professionals handling the court case.

Applications for Italian citizenship must be submitted through the New York Italian consulate. Note that honorary consular offices have limited functions and generally do not process citizenship applications.

One reason it’s so important to have experts involved is to reduce the risk of mistakes and therefore reduce delays by making sure all necessary vital records are submitted with the application. If applying in Italy, the process is different, as you will apply to governmental bodies there.

No matter the route, the goal is the same: to be recognized as an Italian citizen, so you can register properly and move forward with next steps like obtaining a passport.

Let ITAMCAP Help You Today

The journey to figure out your citizenship eligibility and submit your application can feel complicated, but you don’t have to do it alone. ITAMCAP provides Italian citizenship services designed to simplify the process, from early eligibility review through submission preparation.

Our services can include:

• Eligibility review and guidance on applying for citizenship through consulates, Italy, or court pathways
• Record planning and retrieval, including U.S. and Italian vital records
• Translation support
• Apostille services
• Help planning family-based filings that may involve minor children, so your household’s documentation stays aligned

We have a team of professionals, from genealogy experts to translators, ready to support clients and make their dual nationality dream a reality. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation phone consultation.