Am I able to choose an Italian Consulate when applying for my dual citizenship?

If you want to apply to a specific Italian Consulate, for whatever reason, think again! As an applicant, you don’t have a choice as to where you can apply. You must apply through the Italian Consulate where you reside permanently. This is true whether you live in the United States or in another country. Thus, you have to apply to the Italian Consulate that covers your permanent residency.

The Italian government has divided the United States and its territories into 10 Consular jurisdictions (Washington DC, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia and Houston). Each of the 10 Italian Consulates have jurisdiction over specific geographical areas. Because, you cannot pick and choose where you want to apply, you must apply where you live permanently (e.g. Driver’s License address) through the Italian Consulate that has jurisdiction. Italian Consulates in other countries are organized similarly.

If living abroad (away from your permanent address), your Visa status determines if you are eligible to apply locally at an Italian Consulate abroad or in your home country. In order to apply abroad, you must have a permanent Visa for that country or be a citizen of that country. Visas such as student Visas, travel Visas, cultural or artistic Visas and temporary work Visas are not considered permanent residency because they are issued for a specific period of time. Without permanent status, you will be required to apply in your home country through the Italian Consulate that has jurisdiction over you. If you are unsure of your Visa status you should check with the local Italian Consulate to see if you can apply locally.

As part of the application process, you will be required to provide government issued picture ID’s and other proof of residency demonstrating that you are under the jurisdiction of the Italian Consulate where you are applying. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

NOTE: Because of the large jurisdiction of the Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles Italian Consulates, there have been instances where the Italian Consulate traveled to your State to be able to “serve” a group of people (not just one individual), rather than having applicants travel to these three cities.

For further information regarding Italian Consular jurisdictions in the United States visit our “Find your Italian Consulate” section.

Find out if you QUALIFY for Italian Dual Citizenship HERE.

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