Citizenship by marriage before April 27, 1983

Foreign women married to Italian citizens before 27/04/1983 are entitled to automatic recognition of Italian citizenship, even in case of divorce. According to Law no. 89/2014, the recognition of citizenship requires the payment of €600 by any person of legal age who submits an application. The aforementioned fee can be paid prior to the application, for which it is necessary to make an appointment reservation through the platform prenotami.esteri.it or by sending an email to the citizenship department of the competent consulate.

 Required documentation:

1. Application form for consular services, duly completed and signed by the applicant;
2. Additional form to the reservation application for the recognition of nationality, to be completed and signed by the applicant before the consular officer in charge, on the same day the application is submitted;
3. Recent issue; the certificate is valid for a maximum of 180 days. The birth certificate must be in its complete, literal form with an apostille;
4. Italian translation of the birth certificate, made by an authorized translator or one who is on the list of translators of the competent Italian consulate.The translation in turn has to be legalized or with apostille with consular stamp.
5. Italian marriage certificate issued by the Italian commune even if the marriage was celebrated abroad,
6. Simple photocopy of the applicant's identity document with photo (RG or Passport);
7. Photocopy of proof of residence
8. The receipt of the payment of the citizenship fee of 600 euros.

SPECIAL CASES OF DIVORCE AND WIDOWHOOD FOR THE APPLICATION FOR ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE 

If the woman was divorced or widowed after April 27, 1983, she can still apply for Italian citizenship, provided she meets the above requirements.

EXCEPTION TO THE ACQUISITION OF ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE PRIOR TO 1983

Women who have married Italian citizens whose nationality has been recognized by virtue of Law no. 379 of December 14, 2000 which refers to the provisions for the recognition of Italian nationality to persons born and already residing in the territories belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and to their descendants do not fall into this category, since the spouse was not yet considered Italian at the time of marriage, and in this case, this recognition does not start from the moment of birth, but from the explicit request for the recognition of Italian nationality. (Art. 2, § 2).

AFTER THE 1983 REFORM, RADICAL CHANGE IN THE APPLICATION FOR ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP THROUGH MARRIAGE 

As of April 28, 1983, the automatic acquisition of citizenship by marriage has been eliminated. The foreign wife must respect other requirements to be able to apply for citizenship.