Are there any Age Restrictions for obtaining Italian Dual Citizenship?

Obtaining Italian dual citizenship is an appealing opportunity for anyone of Italian descent. As we dive deeper into our roots and discover if we are eligible for Italian dual citizenship, the question may arise whether age comes into play when determining candidacy.

It is often asked whether someone can be too young or too old to become an Italian dual citizen. Specific laws come into play when assessing eligibility for children versus adults, which can sometimes be confusing. Here at My Italian Family, we will try to help you answer this question, and any more that you may have. Feel free to call us anytime at 1-844-741-0848.

Does Italian Dual Citizenship Have A Cut-Off Age?

Fortunately for the many people of Italian descent who may qualify, there is no age limit to apply for Italian Dual Citizenship. Anyone over the age of 18 who has an Italian ancestor can apply for Italian dual citizenship upon determining their eligibility.

As long as someone who is classified as an adult (age 18 and over) has determined that they are eligible, and present a complete, accurate, and legally certified document portfolio to the appropriate authorities they should be granted Italian dual citizenship.

Most often this application will be presented to the Italian Consulate overseeing the State where the applicant resides, however, different circumstances may require petitioning the Italian Courts (to challenge the 1948 Rule, if applicable, or for Denial of Justice Cases if applicants cannot find an appointment at the Italian Consulate) or applying directly to an Italian town hall (if the candidate has chosen to move to Italy permanently). The primary locations for presenting your document portfolio are:

NOTE: If you're not sure what the best course of action is for your specific Italian dual citizenship application, please feel free to read about our Citizenship Assistance Programs to find more information that may help or to get started. If you have any questions, set up a FREE Consultation with us.

Can You Be Too Young to Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship?

There is no age limit to apply for Italian dual citizenship, but the rules around children are a little different. If a person is 17 or younger and determines that they are in fact eligible through Italian descent, although they cannot apply on their own, they can be included in the Parent's citizenship application.

NOTE: In fact, if included on their parents' application a person under 18 will automatically become an Italian citizen if their parent successfully completes the process.

If a potential candidate has already turned 18, they are considered an adult and if applying at an Italian Consulate, will have to make their own appointment to apply for Italian dual citizenship. If multiple adult family members are applying for Italian dual citizenship at the same time, at the same Italian Consulate in the U.S., Court in Italy, or Italian Town Hall, everyone can share one set of documents to make the process a little easier and cost effective.

Can You Be Too Old to Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship?

Nobody is too old to apply because age is not a factor. Perhaps the real question is "how long does it take for my Italian citizenship application to be approved?" In most cases, the average timeline is over three (3) years from start-to-finish, therefore the applicant has to decide whether it is worth it or not. But if age is not an issue, then senior applicants certainly could go forward especially if they are applying a a "family group" together with their children and grandchildren.

Italian Citizenship Assistance

How To Determine Italian Dual Citizenship Eligibility

As long as you are over the age of 18, it is possible to apply for Italian dual citizenship at any time in your adult life. The first and most essential step of the process is to determine if you qualify through Italian descent.

Determining eligibility can be a bit tricky at times. The easiest way to determine if you are eligible is to schedule a FREE eligibility assessment with one of our professional team members. My Italian Family consists of a professional TEAM of dedicated U.S. and Italian lawyers, genealogists, certified paralegals, and project managers who can help navigate the intricate laws to determine your best path to dual citizenship.

The general principle for determining eligibility is that:

Italian citizenship is passed on from parent to child without limitation of generation.
The Italian-born ancestors never renounced (*) their Italian citizenship or if they did, it must be after the birth of the next child in your direct lineage born in your country (such as the U.S.). Additionally, if the Italian born Ancestor renounced Italy before July 1, 1912, you do not qualify; prior to this date, when a native-born Italian naturalized in another country, he gave up not only his own Italian citizenship but also that of all his minor children, regardless of where they were born.

(*) NOTE: A person "renounced" their Italian citizenship when they became a U.S. citizen and the "Oath of Allegiance" to the United States was taken. This was true up to August 15, 1992; thereafter Italy allowed for Dual Citizenship. There can be other important stipulations depending on a specific family lineage (i.e. when applying for citizenship through a female ancestor) so performing thorough research and discussing with a professional is always advisable.

Let My Italian Family Do The Work For You!

Give us a call! We offer a FREE Telephone Consultation for applicants who have questions regarding qualification, required documentation, estimated cost, timelines, and tips on how to make an appointment with an Italian Consulate here in the U.S. (among other questions). We will also perform some free preliminary research to establish if you have a path to Italian Citizenship! Call us at 1-844-741-0848, we are ALWAYS OPEN!

Alternatively, you can book your FREE consultation at your convenience.

At My Italian Family, we provide FULL assistance, handling all the purchasing and preparation of your entire portfolio of documents, whether you apply at an Italian Consulate here in the U.S. or you apply in Italy (including 1948 Challenge Courts Cases). Our experience spans 20 years, and we have expert knowledge of what each Italian Consulate requires and what the Italian Courts require. TO GET STARTED AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE.