ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP
Foreign citizens can apply for naturalization or recognition of Italian citizenship. In general terms, the principles on which Italian citizenship is based are:
- the transmissibility of citizenship by descent ("ius sanguinis");
- the acquisition "iure soli" (by birth on Italian soil) in some cases;
- the possibility of multiple citizenships;
- the manifestation of will by acquisition and loss.
More information can be found on the Farnesina website. Please refer to that page for ALL regulatory references. ONLY foreign nationals residing in this consular district may apply for citizenship at the Consulate of Italy in Manchester.
Citizenship by marriage or civil partnership
Foreign citizens united by marriage or civil partnership with an Italian citizen for at least three years (this term is reduced by half in presence of minor children born from such union) may apply for Italian citizenship. Advising a careful reading of the regulations indicated (http://www.libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/it/acquisto-della-cittadinanza-italiana-matrimonio-cittadino-italiano-ai-sensi-dellart-5-della-legge-n), it is specified that the application must be submitted through the relevant portal. The documents to be submitted are:
- extract of the birth certificate or equivalent: in original, issued by the Country of birth no more than six months prior to the request, complete with all details (including paternity and maternity), duly legalized and translated;
- if a woman has changed her surname as a result of marriage, she must apply with the exact details as per her birth certificate, and NOT as per her passport (in case of discrepancies, British citizens may attach a DEED POLL, duly legalized and translated, registered with the High Court, or - recommended procedure - apply to the relevant Registry Office and request an annotation, on the birth certificate, of the change in details;
- criminal certificates, in original and issued no more than six months prior to the submission of the application and duly legalized and translated, of the country of origin; of the countries of which one holds citizenship; of any third country in which one has resided after the age of 14;
- payment receipt of the EUR 250.00 fee to the Ministry of the Interior (to be made exclusively to the current account "Ministero dell’Interno D.L.C.I Cittadinanza" - Poste Italiane S.p.A. - IBAN: IT54D0760103200000000809020 - Reason for payment: " Richiesta cittadinanza per matrimonio ex art. 5 L. 91/1992, applicant's first and last name" - BIC/SWIFT code of Poste Italiane: BPPIITRRXXX for foreign transfers, PIBPITRA for EUROGIRO circuit transactions);
- identity documents: copy of valid passport (pages with personal details, photograph, dates of issue and expiry) and valid British residence permit (BRP);
- proof of address (see accepted documents for AIRE);
- copy of, or extract of the marriage certificate, to be obtained from the competent Italian municipality where the act is registered, issued no more than six months prior to the application. This document can be entered in the ALI Portal at the time of application as a "generic document" and will have to be presented at the time of the convocation. A "marriage certificate" will NOT be accepted, only a copy of the marriage act or summary extract of the marriage register;
- if the applicant is an EU citizen, they can submit a self-certification instead of the marriage certificate, “stato di famiglia” (certificate listing the family members living at the same address) and citizenship certificate of the spouse/civil partner (Presidential Decree 445/2000);
- certificate of Italian language knowledge at least at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or a qualification issued by a public or peer educational institution recognized by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (ATTENTION: The CLIQ Italian Language Quality Certification certifying bodies - possibly in collaboration with the local Italian cultural institutes - are exclusively the University for Foreigners of Siena, the University for Foreigners of Perugia, the Roma Tre University and the Dante Alighieri Society)
The following categories are not required to present the Italian language proficiency qualification:
a) foreigners (even if residents abroad) who have signed the integration agreement as per Art. 4 bis of Legislative Decree No. 286/1998 Consolidated Immigration Act;
b) holders of EU (or EC) long-term residence permits as per Art. 9 of the above Consolidated Law. PLEASE NOTE: According to Art 9 paragraph 7d of Legislative Decree 03/2007, implementing European Directive 2004/38/EC, the above residence permit is understood to be revoked "in case of absence from the territory of the Union for a period of twelve consecutive months,". The date of acquisition of the British residence permit, the date of AIRE registration of the Italian spouse and the declaration signed by the applicant will be the authoritative date.
It is essential to adhere to the following criteria:
- registration must be made by entering the first name, last name, date and place of birth as they are stated on the birth certificate, or the application will be rejected: in case of discrepancies, it is necessary to provide the relevant supporting documentation (such as the necessary annotations on the birth certificate regarding any change of surname and/or name, or on the marriage certificate issued abroad, duly legalized and translated, or a declaration of exact personal details, issued by the competent Consular Authorities of the country of citizenship present on Italian territory, and legalized by the Italian Prefecture of competence)
- if applicable, specify in the application the presence of minor children of the applicant born from a previous relationship.
This Consulate will automatically receive the application, and after carrying out the necessary checks, will advise about the application’s acceptance or reason for inadmissibility. If the application has been accepted, the applicant will be invited via the portal to deliver all paper documentation, in original to the Consulate - including the one already submitted through the Portal - for the collection or verification of the payment of the relevant consular fees. The documentation in original will be retained by the Consulate, except for the passport and the language proficiency certificate.
This Consulate will automatically receive the request, and after having carried out the necessary checks will send the user a communication regarding the acceptance or the reason for the inadmissibility. In case of acceptance of the application, the applicant will be summoned, electronically, to the Consulate for the delivery of all the original paper documentation, including that already transmitted through the Portal, and for the collection or verification of the payment of consular fees. The documentation will be kept in original by the Consulate, except for the passport and the language certificate
Upon positive evaluation of the application by the Ministry of the Interior, a Decree of conferment of Italian citizenship will be notified to e-mail address entered by the applicant at the time of registration. At the time of notification, additional documents will be requested, as required by national law, aimed at verifying the permanence of the marital bond. No later than six months after the notification, the person will be summoned to the Consulate to take an oath of allegiance to the Republic and its laws. The original birth certificate will be sent for transcription to the relevant Italian municipality along with the AIRE application and the record of the oath.
Upon submission of the application to the Consulate, the following consular fees will be applied:
- authentication of signature on the application: art. 24;
- stamp duty on the application;
- legalization of the translator's signature: art. 69;
- certified copy of valid identity document: art 71. (When the document is not in Latin characters, a translation is also required);
- certified copy of British residence permit (where applicable): art 71;
- certified copy of language certification: art 71;
- translation of civil status records and criminal certificates’ conformity: art 72.
On the day of the oath, the applicant will have to pay the amount of a revenue stamp to be affixed to the citizenship decree.
Citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) of non UK citizens of Italian lineage
Recognition of citizenship by descent occurs only for applicants of age. A minor child of an Italian citizen is automatically Italian, and only needs to apply for the transcription of their birth certificate at the Consulate (https://consmanchester.esteri.it/consolato_manchester/en/i-servizi/stato-civile.html)
One is an Italian citizen by birth by paternal line without generation limit, or by maternal line only for those born after 01.01.1948. Before proceeding, please note that:
- if the Italian ancestor was naturalized foreigner before the birth of their child, the applicant cannot apply for the recognition of citizenship;
- if the ancestor born in Italy became naturalized in the country of emigration before the birth of the next descendant, the applicant cannot apply for recognition of Italian citizenship;
- if any of their ancestors have renounced their Italian citizenship, the applicant cannot apply for recognition of Italian citizenship;
- Italian women can only transmit Italian citizenship to their children born after 01.01.1948 onwards.
The application for citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) of non-British (or non-British by birth) citizens of Italian descent may be filed at the Consulate of Italy in Manchester, exclusively by appointment arranged through Prenot@Mi .
Applicants should submit:
- application completed (Form A) in its entirety and NOT signed (the signing will take place at the time of the appointment in front of a consular officer, upon payment of the relevant consular fee);
- original birth, marriage and death certificates of the last person/descent born in Italy (N.B. one must apply to the Italian municipality for “estratto per riassunto dell’atto di nascita”, "extract of the birth certificate");
- legalized and translated statement, issued by the competent Authorities of the foreign State of residence certifying that the Italian ancestor emigrated from Italy did not acquire the citizenship of the foreign State of emigration before the birth of the ancestor of the concerned person (in case of naturalization, its date must be stated on the declaration). This statement can be obtained (as far as the United Kingdom is concerned) from The National Archives, Kew Richmond Surrey TW9 (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk), or for the entire period prior to October 1, 1986, from Home Office UK Border Agency (ukbanationalityenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk);
- legalized and translated original certificates of birth, marriage and death of all descendants of the Italian ancestor, including the birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage and/or divorce of the person concerned;
- legalized and translated original certificate of birth of any minor children residing with the interested party;
- applicant's valid passport;
- residence permit or UK work visa valid for a period of at least two years;
- copies of the passports of any spouse and any minor children residing with the interested party;
- proof of address (see accepted documents for AIRE);
- non-refundable consular fee to be paid on the day of the appointment (Art. 7b - Tariffs) (https://consmanchester.esteri.it/consolato_manchester/it/in-linea-con-utente/info-utili/tariffe-consolari/tariffe-consolari.html)
All documents must be delivered to the Consulate both in original and photocopied. Original documents will not be returned.
Citizenship by descent of UK citizens by birth and of Italian lineage (parents registered with AIRE at this Consulate)
Recognition of citizenship by descent occurs only for applicants of age. A minor child of an Italian citizen is automatically Italian, and only needs to apply for the transcription of their birth certificate at the Consulate.
One is an Italian citizen by birth by paternal line without generation limit, or by maternal line only for those born after 01.01.1948. Before proceeding, please note that:
- if the Italian ancestor was naturalized foreigner before the birth of their child, the applicant cannot apply for the recognition of citizenship;
- if the ancestor born in Italy became naturalized in the country of emigration before the birth of the next descendant, the applicant cannot apply for recognition of Italian citizenship;
- if any of their ancestors have renounced their Italian citizenship, the applicant cannot apply for recognition of Italian citizenship;
- Italian women can only transmit Italian citizenship to their children born after 01.01.1948 onwards.
The application for citizenship by descent of citizens of Italian and British descent from birth (parents registered with AIRE at this Consulate) may be filed at the Consulate of Italy in Manchester, exclusively by appointment arranged through Prenot@Mi . Applicants should submit:
- application completed (Form B) in its entirety and NOT signed (the signing will take place at the time of the appointment in front of a consular officer, upon payment of the relevant consular fee);
- legalized and translated full birth certificate (full extract) of the applicant and, if applicable, the original marriage/divorce certificate(s) and original birth certificates of minor children residing with the applicant;
- proof of address (see documents accepted for AIRE);
- applicant's valid passport and copy of pages with the photo and signature;
- photocopies of the passports of any spouse and all minor children residing with the applicant;
- non-refundable consular fee to be paid on the day of the appointment (Art. 7b).
All documents must be delivered to the Consulate both in original and photocopied. Original documents will not be returned.
Citizenship by descent of citizens of Italian lineage naturalized British after birth (parents not AIRE registered with this Consulate)
Recognition of citizenship by descent occurs only for applicants of age. A minor child of an Italian citizen is automatically Italian, and only needs to apply for the transcription of their birth certificate at the Consulate.
One is an Italian citizen by birth by paternal line without generation limit, or by maternal line only for those born after 01.01.1948. Before proceeding, please note that:
- if the Italian ancestor was naturalized foreigner before the birth of their child, the applicant cannot apply for the recognition of citizenship;
- if the ancestor born in Italy became naturalized in the country of emigration before the birth of the next descendant, the applicant cannot apply for recognition of Italian citizenship;
- if any of their ancestors have renounced their Italian citizenship, the applicant cannot apply for recognition of Italian citizenship;
- Italian women can only transmit Italian citizenship to their children born after 01.01.1948 onwards.
The application for citizenship by descent of citizens of Italian and British descent from birth (parents registered with AIRE at this Consulate) may be filed at the Consulate of Italy in Manchester, exclusively by appointment arranged through Prenot@Mi . Applicants should submit:
- application completed in its entirety and NOT signed (the signing will take place at the time of the appointment in front of a consular officer, upon payment of the relevant consular fee);
- original birth certificate of the last person/ancestor born in Italy (please note: you must request the "extract of the birth certificate" from your Italian municipality of birth). All these documents must be legalized and translated;
- legalized and translated statement for the period 1844 / Sept. 1986, that one's ancestor born in Italy did not naturalize British (in case of naturalization, its date must be stated). The statement is issued by: The National Archives, Kew Richmond Surrey TW9 4DU or, for the period after October 1, 1986, from the Home Office UK Border Agency, Reliance House, 20 Water Street, Liverpool L2 8XU (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/proof-that-you-are-not-british);
- legalized and translated original certificates of birth, marriage and death of all descendants. All British certificates must be legalized by Apostille (to obtain apostille see HERE);
- legalized and translated full birth certificate (full extract) of the applicant and, if applicable, the original marriage/divorce certificate(s) and original birth certificates of minor children residing with the applicant;
- proof of address (see documents accepted for AIRE);
- applicant's valid passport and copy of pages with the photo and signature;
- photocopies of the passports of any spouse and all minor children residing with the applicant;
- non-refundable consular fee to be paid on the day of the appointment (Art. 7b).
All documents must be delivered to the Consulate both in original and photocopied. Original documents will not be returned.
Renunciation of Italian citizenship
Italian citizens residing in this consular district can apply for renouncing to their Italian citizenship. It is possible to make an appointment for this service through Prenot@Mi. At the time of the appointment, the following documents must be presented:
- a letter declaring the intention to renounce Italian citizenship;
- self-certification of Italian citizenship;
- legalized and translated certificate of acquisition of British citizenship (it can be obtained from the National Archives or of other citizenship;
- proof of address (see documents accepted for AIRE);
- copy of the British passport or other country;
- copy of all Italian identity documents in possession;
- receipt of payment of € 250 already made by bank transfer to: MINISTERO DELL'INTERNO D.L.C.I. - CITTADINANZA - Via Cavour 6, 00184 ROMA - reason for payment: "Rinuncia cittadinanza, [NAME AND SURNAME OF APPLICANT]” - IBAN: IT54D07601032000000809020 - Bank: POSTE ITALIANE S.P.A. - BIC/SWIFT code BPPIITRRXXX.
All documents must be delivered to the Consulate either in original or photocopied:
Consolato d’Italia – Ufficio cittadinanza
58 Spring Gardens – II Floor
M2 1EW Manchester
After examining the application, the applicant will be summoned by this Consulate to appear in person to confirm his will and pay the corresponding consular fee art. 4b. n this case, he must produce the documentation indicated above in the original.
Regain of Italian citizenship lost before 1992 following British naturalization
Italian citizens, only if born in Italy, who acquired British citizenship before 16 August 1992, have lost their Italian citizenship. They can automatically get it back, without losing their British one, by officially transferring their residence in Italy for at least one year, or by signing a declaration pursuant to art.13, paragraph 1, lett. C of the Law of 5th February 1992, n.91 at this Consulate and then officially transferring their residence in Italy within one year of the signing of the declaration. In the latter case, the loss of the Italian citizenship must be communicated to the relevant municipality, through this Consulate, by producing the following documentation:
- application form for the regain of citizenship;
- legalised and translated British naturalisation certificate;
- full birth certificate issued by the relevant Italian municipality;
- copy of the British passport;
- copy of the last Italian passport, if applicable;
- receipt of payment of EUR 250,00 to the Ministry of the Interior (Beneficiary Account Name: "MINISTERO DELL'INTERNO D.L.C.I. - CITTADINANZA"; Address: Via Cavour 6, 00184 ROMA);
- Reason for payment: Citizenship Application [name and surname of the applicant]; IBAN code: IT54D0760103200000000809020, Receiving Bank Name: POSTE ITALIANE S.P.A BIC/SWIFT code BPPIITRRXXX).
The documentation must be sent via post to:
Consulate of Italy - Citizenship Office
58 Spring Gardens - II Floor
M2 1EW Manchester
The Consulate will request the applicant to present themselves at its premises to authenticate the signature on the form and collect the stamp duty. Once in Italy, the applicant must ask the competent Questura to issue a special residence permit, having as its reason of issue the repurchase of Italian citizenship. Once the residence permit has been obtained, it will be possible to apply for and obtain the registration in the residence registry of the relevant municipality.
Regain of Italian citizenship lost before 01/01/1949 following marriage to a British national (British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914)
Italian women who were automatically and involuntarily naturalized British following marriage to a British citizen before 01/01/1949 may submit a special application to this Consulate in order to be recognized their uninterrupted possession of the Italian citizenship, in line with art. 46, 47 DPR 445/2000.
In this case, it is necessary to produce the following documentation:
- application form for the regain of citizenship;
- legalised and translated marriage certificate;
- full birth certificate issued by the relevant Italian municipality;
- copy of the British passport;
- copy of the last Italian passport, if applicable;
- copy of the spouse’s passport
The documentation must be sent via post to:
Consulate of Italy - Citizenship Office
58 Spring Gardens - II Floor
M2 1EW Manchester
The Consulate will request the applicant to present themselves at its premises for the follow-up of the case.
It should be noted that Italian women who married after 01/01/1949 and acquired British citizenship have acquired it voluntarily, and have therefore lost their Italian citizenship. If necessary, they must apply for the repurchase of Italian citizenship lost before 1992 as a result of British naturalisation.
