The relevant Italian authority to which the application for Italian citizenship must be submitted depends on the type of citizenship required.

Jure sanguinis

If the applicant lives abroad, the relevant authority is the Italian Consulate in the area where the applicant lives. However, not all Consulates are competent: only the non-honorary Italian Consulates can receive the application.

If the applicant lives in Italy, the relevant authority is the City Hall (Comune) in which the applicant has the registered residence (iscrizione anagrafica).

1948 case

The applicant has to submit a petition in Court in Rome. The presence of the applicant in Italy is not required. 

Marriage 

If the applicant lives abroad, the relevant authority is the Italian Consulate in the area where the applicant lives. However, not all Consulates are competent: only the non-honorary Italian Consulates can receive the application.

If the applicant lives in Italy, the relevant authority is the Prefettura pertinent for the City Hall (Comune) where the applicant has the registered residence (iscrizione anagrafica).

Marriage on/or before April 27th, 1983

This applies only for women that get married with an Italian citizen on/or before April 27th, 1983. If the applicant bride lives abroad, the relevant authority is the Italian Consulate in the area where the applicant lives. However, not all Consulates are competent: only the non-honorary Italian Consulates can receive the application.

If the applicant bride lives in Italy, the relevant authority is the City Hall (Comune) in which the applicant has the registered residence (iscrizione anagrafica).

Naturalization

The relevant authority is the Prefettura pertinent for the City Hall (Comune) where the applicant has the registered residence (iscrizione anagrafica).

Reacquisition

If the applicant lives abroad, the relevant authority is the Italian Consulate in the area where the applicant lives. However, not all Consulates are competent: only the non-honorary Italian Consulates can receive the application.
Please note that for the completion of the process the applicant must also move to Italy and obtain the registered residence in an Italian City Hall.

If the applicant lives in Italy, the relevant authority is the City Hall (Comune) in which the applicant has the registered residence (iscrizione anagrafica).

Avv. Paola Caputi
ItalianPapers