General information – legislation
Italian Citizenship is based upon the principle of “ius sanguinis” (blood right) meaning that the child born from an Italian father or mother is an Italian citizen regardless the place of birth.
Italian citizenship is now regulated by Law n. 91 of February 5, 1992 in force from August 16, 1992. Since then the subject of Italian citizenship has been regulated by the Law 555 of June 13, 1912 that has been repeatedly amended following some Constitutional Court’s resolutions, the new Family Law of 1975 and the law 123 of April 21, 1983.
Law 123/1983 abrogated the automatic acquisition of the Italian citizenship by a foreign woman who married with an Italian citizen and ruled that it was possible to acquire Italian citizenship through the maternal line. The latter is applied to those born after January 1, 1948. The innovations introduced by the present legislation are:
– Acknowledgment of the equal rights between a man and a woman;
– maintaining Italian citizenship after foreign naturalization;
– the importance of formal expression of personal will.
Who can apply
In order to submit your application to this Consulate, you must be a permanent resident of one of the following States: Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming. (Legal Aliens must submit the Permanent Resident Card). Residents outside the above jurisdiction must apply to the Consular Authority under whose jurisdiction they reside.
Schedule an appointment and fees
Please be informed that this Consulate General receives citizenship jure sanguinis applications by appointment only. An appointment is required for each adult applicant. All applicants over 18 must appear in person. The BOOKING ONLINE SYSTEM allows to choose the date and time of the appointment according to the availabilities.
As of July 8th, 2014 all applications for the recognition of the Italian citizenship Jure Sanguinis (by descent) and Jure Matrimonii (in case of women that married an Italian citizen prior to April 27, 1983) are subject to the payment of the consular fee “DOMANDA DI RICONOSCIMENTO CITTADINANZA Art. 07B”. Payments are to be made by money order, cashier’s check or exact cash, in USD. Please note that fees are update every quarter and are published on our website link a tabella?.
How to apply
In order to apply for citizenship, each adult applicant will need to schedule an appointment online and then come personally to the Consulate’s office for an interview and to provide all the required documentation, starting from ancestor born in Italy. Required documentation must be in original or certified copy. Photocopies are not accepted. Applicant should bring US Passport (or other passport and Permanent Resident Card), driver’s license and one utility bill in original and photocopy.
The Consulate does not provide any translation service.
For all details, please read carefully the information below
Italian citizenship through ancestors (Iure Sanguinis)
Forms to request vital records at the “Comune” for Italian Citizens
Where to request the U.S. naturalization of Italian ancestor
Additional requirements for all categories
Ufficio Cittadinanza
Consolato Generale d’Italia
500 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1850
e-mail cittadinanza.chicago@esteri.it