Wednesday, August 13, 2014

3 Steps to Obtaining Italian Dual Citizenship


Reclaiming Ancestor's Italian Heritage 
With popular genealogy shows like that of Valerie Bertinelli on Who Do You Think You Are? (Season 5, airing on TLC) where she explores her Italian heritage, we know the questions will once again pour in on how to get Italian dual citizenship.

Ready To Verify Eligibility and Apply
We have already had the expected questions "Does Valerie Bertinelli have dual Italian Citizenship?" "Is she eligible for Italian dual citizenship?" Well, even Ms. Bertinelli has to show proof or eligibility, if she does not already have her dual Italian Citizenship.

If you meet the eligibility requirements outlined, and already have the documents needed (see below), then you can package it and set an appointment with the Italian Consulate. If you need the genealogical proof and needed documents, however, be sure to review this useful guide to obtaining your dual citizenship.

The 3 Steps Plan to Dual Citizenship?
For the past 6 years (2008-2014) a3Genealogy has assisted many clients in meeting the requirements to become Italian Citizens. As a premier service firm, we
1)  confirm your eligibility for dual citizenship
2)  gather needed documents and genealogical proof
3)  prepare dual-citizenship paperwork.

All you have to do, is to submit your paperwork to the Italian Consulate. (We'd do that too, if they'd let us, but they don't!). The process, however,  is not for the faint of heart or for the impatient type.  We are finding that collating a complete paperwork package takes between 3-4 months. If your ancestor's surname changed, or if there are apparent errors on certified certificates expect a little longer. And remember, full proof of your genealogical lineage must be shown through the various documents. Once the paperwork is submitted and accepted by the consulate, then you wait.

Benefits
As an Italian citizen you can secure an Italian Passport and live and work in any European Union (EU) country. You can take advantage of the free public health care and you can pass the citizenship to your children and take advantage of the Italian free education. These are just a few of the benefits of having a dual citizenship. If approved as an Italian citizen, your spouse and children (under eighteen) are also eligible for dual citizenship.

Documentation Needed
But to qualify for an Italian dual citizenship, you need to do a lot of legwork to meet all the regulations in proving “jure sanguinis” (your birthright) through lineage to an Italian citizen who did not renounce their right to Italian citizenship. You will need to gather or hire a researcher to gather your materials. This is an overview of what is needed:
  1. Your direct line ancestor, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, etc, emigrated after 1861 and was an Italian citizen..
  2. Your immigrant ancestor did not become an American citizen before his descendant (your direct line) was born. So if the lineage is from you, your father, and grandfather, your father would have been born prior to your grandfather’s USA naturalization date for you to be eligible.
  3. Proof of naturalization date or proof that your immigrant ancestor was never naturalized.
  4. Translated birth certificates for you and your direct line to the immigrant ancestor and spouses as well as your children.
  5. Translated marriage certificates (into Italian). Of course a3Genealogy uses experienced translators dedicated to meeting dual citizenship requirements.
Eligibility Determination - From You to Italian Ancestor
Failing to meet the requirements of Items 1-3 (above) are most often the reasons an Italian descendant is determined ineligible. Our clients find it convenient to hire a3Genealogy specialists in lineage research to confirm these basic eligibility requirements have been met, prior to translating marriage and death certificates and searching for Italian birth certificates.

There are other ways to obtain Italian citizenship, but a3Genealogy only works with those obtaining it through “jure sanguinis.”

Buona giornata!
Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy.com
Accurate, accessible answers

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