Studio Settebello - Articles #CitizenshipStudio Settebello - Articles #Citizenshiphttps://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/tag/citizenshipSat, 31 Oct 2026 09:32:00 +0100http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[What Is An AtQ Case?]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/what-is-an-atq-caseDiscover what an AtQ (Against the Queue) case is for Italian citizenship, how it differs from a 1948 court case, and why bypassing consulate backlogs through the courts may be your best option.]]>

And How Is It Different From A 1948 Case?

The process of applying for Italian citizenship will expose you to a lot of new terms and jargon that will seem very unfamiliar at first, and be old hat by the time you have a little red passport in hand. Before we jump right into the definition, it is important to explain why some citizenship cases go through court and others do not. 


There are three ways to apply for Italian citizenship by descent: at the Italian consulate that presides over the jurisdiction where you are a permanent, legal resident; at the comune in Italy where you are a permanent, legal resident; or through the Italian court that serves the jurisdiction where your last Italian born ancestor was from.

While applying at the comune is certainly the quickest route, it is not for everyone. In order to apply at the comune, you must be a legal resident there which requires a long term lease, a permesso di soggiorno, and at least six months to a year for the recognition process. 

If you’re one of the many who have tried to secure an appointment at a consulate, you understand just how difficult and rare it is to make it to the booking page of Prenot@mi, let alone snag an available appointment before they’re all gone. And even if you are one of the lucky few that grab an appointment, it’s likely that the appointment won’t be for another seven to ten years! 

At the rate that the Italian government has been making changes to the laws governing citizenship by descent, you may no longer qualify by the time your appointment comes around. On top of which, the consulates typically don’t accept documents older than a few years, and will not accept an Italian document older than six months. With extreme backlogs in the vital records offices across the US, it feels as though determining when to order your documents requires a mathematical equation! 


But don’t wait until the last minute to order your documents. You should order them now to ensure there aren’t any typos, mistakes, or unknowns that could derail your application. Once all your documents are in order and properly amended, all you can do is sit and wait patiently for your appointment date. After the appointment, if your application is accepted, you’re in for a minimum of another two years to find out if your application is approved. Then another six to twelve months waiting for the comune to transcribe your records, and register in AIRE, and then finally start trying for a passport appointment.

That’s why so many choose to take their case to court. 

Not all Italian citizenship by descent cases can be accepted by the consulate or comune. A standard jure sanguinis case that meets the current laws can be accepted by the consulate or comune where the applicant lives. However, if your direct line of Italian ancestors includes a woman who gave birth to the next in-line before 1948, yours is a case that must go through court. This is because prior to 1948, women could not legally pass Italian citizenship to their children. In 1948, the laws changed when the courts recognized this as unequal. Although a 1948 case cannot be heard through the traditional routes, barring any additional issues with the application, they are nearly always successful in court.  

But what if your line does not meet the requirements for a 1948 case, you aren’t able to relocate to an Italian comune, and you’ve tried unsuccessfully to book an appointment at your local consulate? That is why the AtQ case exists. 


AtQ stands for “Against the Queue”. If you have tried and failed to get an appointment at your local Italian consulate, you may be able to apply through the Italian courts in a case against the queue. 

According the EU law of fundamental rights, article 41 states: 

Every person has the right to have his or her affairs handled impartially, fairly and within a reasonable time by the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union.

This is legally binding for all Member States and institutions of the EU. The concept is similar to the US right to due process. The law is also upheld by the Constitution of the Italian Republic in Article 2 of Italian Administrative Process Act 241/1990 and DPCM – President of the Council of Ministers Decree no. 33/2014, deeming 730 days (two years) as a reasonable amount of time. 

Unfortunately, the consulates’ interpretation of this law is that the two year period comes after the appointment date, not before. Hence the two year waiting period after your case is submitted, and a seemingly never-ending wait for an appointment to become available.

The good news is that the same is not true in the Italian courts. If you are able to prove your inability to book an appointment at your local consulate over the course of at least several months, and show that appointments being made available are more than two years in advance, you meet the requirements to file an AtQ case. 

Many online groups may tell you that an AtQ case is too risky. While there certainly is some risk involved with an AtQ case, they are not at all uncommon. The key is working with an Italian attorney who is familiar with these cases and believes your case meets the standards of the court, and in some cases, even the particular judges of that court. If your case falls inside the scope of the current laws and you have sufficient evidence that you have been unable to obtain an appointment, there is no significant additional risk involved with an AtQ case.

The best way to prove your inability to get an appointment is to take screenshots of the booking page every time you try. Make sure your screenshots include the date and time at the bottom of your screen, as well as your name and the name of the consulate. This can easily be done by using the “screenshot” button or hotkey on your keyboard.

For Mac: Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 saves the full screen to your desktop.
For Windows: Windows Logo Key + PrtScn saves the full screen to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.


Additionally, you will need to email your consulate to inform them of your inability to get an appointment and ask what you should do.

Most courts are currently setting court dates between six months and three years out. You may be thinking, wait- three years?! I thought the law said two! Unfortunately, the courts are also experiencing a backlog, but unlike the consulates, more judges are being routinely added and court dates are commonly moved up. 


It is important to note that also unlike the consulate, you cannot file your case in court until your application is complete. That means you will need your full set of documents, apostilles, and court sworn translations completed in Italy and marked on every fourth page with a tax revenue stamp. For court, standard translations or translations with an apostille are not acceptable. But on the flip side, court cases do not require nearly as many documents as the consulates. Courts typically only want the following: 

        1. In-line ancestors’ documents only
        2. Naturalization records (for which a CONE with federal apostille and court sworn translation is sufficient)
        3. Birth and marriage certificates

Unless you have a unique situation, name changes, or discrepancies, the list above along with your proof of not being able to book an appointment and court documents (such as a signed and notarized limited power of attorney and letter of engagement with your attorney) is enough for the courts. No death certificates, historical residency, historical citizenship, census records, immigration records, no-record-found from the local courts, or photocopies of out of line ancestors’ births required! 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or unsure about which path is right for you, don’t worry. Book a free introductory call with us today for an expert opinion. We’ll take a look at your unique ancestral line, explain all of the available options, and which one we think is the best fit for you. And if you choose to proceed with a court case, we can connect you with one of our trusted and experienced Italian avvocati.


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]]>Tue, 20 Oct 2026 13:17:38 +0200<![CDATA[What Is A Permesso di Soggiorno?]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/what-is-a-permesso-di-soggiornoIn addition to discovering what a Permesso di Soggiorno is, who needs one, and how to apply for this essential residency permit after arriving in Italy, read more to learn about the typical pitfalls and roadblocks, and how to avoid them.]]>

And How Do I Get One?


Permesso di Soggiorno 

A long stay permit, or residency permit. 

A permesso di soggiorno is a legal document that must be applied for within eight days of entering Italy as a foreigner on a visa or for the purposes of applying for jure sanguinis via residency. If you are the spouse of an EU citizen or a foreigner with a visa, you will also need to apply for a permesso upon arrival in Italy for the purpose of family reunification.


You may be wondering why you need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno if you already have a visa. A visa is required for the purpose of entering the country, but the permesso is the document that actually allows you to legally stay in Italy. If you’d like to come to Italy on a visa, you must apply and be approved in your home country, or country of current legal residence before entering Italy. Although some countries, like Spain, allow you to enter first and apply after, you cannot apply for a visa after entering Italy. Whereas a permesso can only be applied for after entering Italy, not before.

A permesso di soggiorno requires an application, which you can pick up from your local Poste, known as a Kit Giallo. In addition to bringing your physical passport to the appointment, make sure to stop by a cartoleria to print out copies of your passport (including your visa page, if applicable), and documents supporting your permesso application. 


For visas, make sure to have a copy of the following documents:

  • Financial proof
  • Registered lease
  • Health insurance
  • School enrollment (if applicable)

These documents should be the same as the ones that were used to apply for your visa. For jure sanguinis applications, you will need copies of the vital records you will use to apply for citizenship.


Be prepared to hit a roadbump here! 


For citizenship applications, applying for your permesso di soggiorno can trigger a catch 22. Although it is best practice to first apply for your permesso, you may be asked for proof that the anagrafe has accepted your application or proof of residency— both of which, in most cases, can only be issued with proof of your permesso di soggiorno receipt. In this situation, you may need the local assistance of a service provider who understands the process and can work with local officials to find a sufficient compromise.



Once you’ve completed the paperwork, you can submit your application at the Poste and pay the required fee of approximately 116€ to 130€, depending on the length of your permesso. Before you head off to the post office, stop by your local tabaccheria to pick up a marco da bollo seidici –a 16€ tax stamp, to complete your application.

After submitting your application, you will be given a receipt. Hold onto it! Best practice is to put your receipt inside your passport and keep it on you at all times until you receive your official permesso card. You will also be issued an appointment date. It is very important that you do not miss your appointment! If you have extenuating circumstances and cannot make your appointment, you will need to contact the local Questura to request a new appointment date. 


Depending on where you live in Italy, permesso appointments can be backlogged several months, and in some cases, nearly a year. If you arrive in Italy to apply for jure sanguinis, you may end up becoming a recognized Italian citizen before your permesso appointment. You must cancel your appointment! Do not ignore this step! Contact your local Questura—the one where you applied for your permesso—and show them your recognition paperwork, Italian passport, or carta d’identitá with your citizenship listed as Italian as the reason you no longer need a permesso di soggiorno. 


For those of you on a visa, you will need to continue to renew your permesso di soggiorno for as many years as your visa is valid if you wish to remain a legal resident in Italy. If you plan on leaving Italy and terminating your residency before your permesso appointment, you must cancel your appointment! If you don’t, you could experience issues in the future if you travel to Italy or try to claim residency again.



To learn more about the process of moving to Italy and claiming legal residency there, download our Relocation Roadmap, read our other articles about moving abroad, and book a free introductory call to find out how Studio Settebello can guide you through the process.

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]]>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:21:16 +0200<![CDATA[You Want to Move to a Small Village in Italy?]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/you-want-to-move-to-a-small-village-in-italyThinking about moving to a small town in Italy? Here’s the reality of small town life, without the rose colored glasses. Read to learn more about finding the right sized town for your new Italian life.]]>

So Did I.

If you come from an Italian-American family, you’ve almost certainly heard all the stories about the picturesque hilltop village or lovely seaside town from which your ancestors began their journey to America. And no doubt you’ve dreamed of returning there one day to experience the magic of its medieval buildings, winding streets, and charming piazzas. It’s a dream I’ve heard from many people over the years and one I used to have myself. Then I moved there.

In my case, the town was Fiuggi, a quaint medieval borgo in Lazio of about 10,000 people perched on a hillside and filled with all of the Italian allure you’d expect. It is most famous for the therapeutic waters which bubble out of the ground at the Fonte Bonifacio VIII and are then bottled up and sold around the world as Acqua di Fiuggi. Michelangelo is said to have cured his kidney stones with the water, and even today you can get free entry to the springs with a doctor’s prescription (entry normally costs €5.) In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the advent of leisure travel, Fiuggi naturally became a destination for the rich and fashionable to escape the noise and summer heat of Rome, and today it still boasts an impressive number of spas and hotels. On the surface, the town has plenty to offer. One thing Fiuggi is missing today, however, is me.

Back in 2017, when I first had the notion of moving to Italy and pursuing recognition of my Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), I had visions of building a life in Fiuggi. I saw myself wandering the same streets my grandfather played in as a child, drinking from the fountain in the tiny piazzetta where his mother did the washing while gossiping with the other women, and waking up to the bells that ring out from atop the church where he was baptized. Romantic, right? Naive too, perhaps, but I hadn’t even visited Italy on vacation at that point, so I hope I can be forgiven for daydreaming a bit.

I took my first trip to Fiuggi in 2019. I dragged my entire family along with me and it was honestly one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my life. It was everything I expected and more. We met cousins who gave us the full tour. I saw the house my grandfather was born in, drank out of the nearby fountain, and woke up to the bells, just as I had imagined. It sounds cliche to say, but it truly was a dream come true. I was more intent than ever on making it my full-time reality.


And soon enough it was. I moved there a couple of years after that first trip (I would have moved sooner, but Covid had other plans) and it didn’t take long for the cracks to show. You see, there’s an enormous difference between visiting a place for a few days and living there full time. This may seem obvious to you, but in all likelihood you’re underestimating just how much of a difference there really is. During a short visit, that quaint corner market with the cranky nonna behind the counter is charming. But when you’re just absolutely craving tacos or peanut butter or anything other than Italian food (and you will, I promise!) and that market is your only grocery store, the charm wears thin pretty quickly. 

And even if you’re satisfied with a diet of all Italian food all the time, you better get your shopping done early, because the store closes at 1pm. In fact the entire town closes at 1pm. If you’re lucky, they’ll open back up around 5pm, but if they were having a particularly nice riposo they might decide it’s not worth it. Oh, you think you’d just go out to a restaurant in that case? Maybe grab some take out somewhere? Well the only restaurant in town is shut down for the month while the family who runs it is on vacation. You better hope you have a can of tuna squirreled away in the back of a cabinet somewhere, or you’re going to bed hungry.


And don’t get me started on the staring. As a new face in a small town in Italy, EVERYONE stares at you ALL THE TIME. I’ve lived in three small towns in Italy at this point and the staring has been a constant in each one. As someone who has been the new face in my fair share of small towns in the US, I’d never experienced anything even remotely like it before. Even after an entire year of living in one town, I was still gawked at like a zoo animal every time I left the house.


Now, don’t get me wrong. I know everyone has different tastes and it’s entirely possible that you’d love living in a small town. The people are generally friendly and welcoming, if a bit standoffish, and the cost of living is absurdly low if you’re used to US prices. And the charm is real! You’ll be walking down the street one day on the way back to your house from your evening passeggiata and you’ll all of a sudden be struck by the absolute beauty and immense history of the place, especially if it’s the town your ancestors came from, and it’ll all feel right. There’s really no experience like it. But I think for most people who are used to a more convenient American lifestyle, that feeling wears off once the reality of day-to-day living sets in. The constant sound of souped up muffler-free scooters rocketing up and down your street at all hours of the day and night will wear on you (it’s a favorite pastime for the youth in every small Italian town since there’s not much else to do), and walking the same deserted streets over and over again will eventually bore you to tears.

So what’s my advice to any American thinking of moving to a small Italian town? Go for it! 

But don’t be surprised if you eventually grow tired of it, and absolutely don’t let it sour you on Italy as whole. I almost gave up on this place when the shine of Fiuggi started to wear off, and I had my return ticket to the US nearly booked when Corleone didn’t live up to expectations either. But I eventually found my place in a larger city and now you couldn’t pay me enough to ever leave Italy. 


At the end of the day, the moral is that you’re probably not going to find the perfect fit for you right off the bat. No matter what visions you have for your Italian life or how much research you’ve done, the reality won’t match it. So be flexible and don’t give up until you’ve seen the full range of what this wonderful country has to offer.

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]]>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:52:32 +0200<![CDATA[So, Was It Worth It?]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/so-was-it-worth-it2Nobody believes you when you’re in high school and you say, “When I grow up, I’m going to move to Italy.” I know, because nobody believed me.]]>

My Experience Moving to Italy

Nobody believes you when you’re in high school and you say, “When I grow up, I’m going to move to Italy.” I know, because nobody believed me. 

I was 17 when I decided that I was going to move abroad and I knew exactly how I was going to do it! I had it all planned out. My paternal grandfather, who never naturalized as an American citizen, was my key to citizenship- which would allow me to work and travel in Italy (and across the entire EU!). I started collecting documents in my senior year of high school, thinking I would be able to move to Italy and apply for citizenship through my ancestral hometown within just a few months. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Despite having a simple line: me > father > grandfather, collecting the documents I needed wasn’t so simple. First, there were several name discrepancies I had to fix across multiple countries. One of the worst was my parents’ marriage certificate from Canada, which listed my grandfather as “Antoneo”, despite his legal name being “Antonino.” That one was a painful fix.

I ran into another issue with my grandfather’s death certificate. His name, along with his father’s, were spelled incorrectly. I had to amend them both in order to be accepted by Italy’s high bureaucratic standard. And unfortunately, the state of Massachusetts doesn’t make name corrections easy. I was surprised to find out that state documents, like marriage certificates, cannot be amended at all! The death certificate however, had more wiggle room. I was able to go directly to the funeral home and have them submit the request to amend the record. Although they fixed my grandfather’s name, they were unable to fix his father’s name because there was not enough room on the form! Luckily, the comune worker who accepted my application was unbothered by this minor misspelling.

The more time that passed, the more people around me started to voice their doubts about my plans. I realized that nobody actually believed me when I said I was going to move to Italy. It wasn’t just the citizenship process and document collection they found dubious. They asked me questions like: what are you actually going to do once you’re a recognized Italian citizen? Find a local job? 


I had been practicing Italian for about a year at that point, but I still had a long way to go. I have some distant relatives in Sicily, a few in Genoa, but I really didn’t know that many people in Italy. Between the constant doubters and my own worries about my language skills and finding work, eventually, I started to doubt that my dream would come true. Then in March of 2025, the laws governing Italian citizenship by descent started changing.

In the article Jure Sanguinis: The Laws Explained, we breakdown all of the changes, from October 3, 2024 to present day, several of which could have disqualified me from citizenship.

I didn’t sleep at all for two whole months. Finally, when the officially amended laws took effect on May 24, 2025, I knew that I had to get to Italy before the government decided to take the changes any further and forever lock me out from obtaining Italian citizenship by descent. I booked my plane ticket in early June and arrived by mid-June. My head was spinning. My family was shocked and confused. They couldn’t believe I was getting on a plane to go live in a small town in Sicily that I had never even been to before, with only $1800 in my pocket, and a dream.


I arrived in Sicily on June 18, 2025, and was recognized as an Italian citizen on September 10th of that same year. Over a year later, the number one question I get from people is this: Was it worth it?


I think a lot of people are scared to step out of their comfort zone, to do what makes them happy- because it feels impossible, and because of the fear of failure. I hope that every time I answer “Yes!” to that question, it makes people realize that they too, can do whatever they set their mind to.


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]]>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:46:21 +0200<![CDATA[What Documents Do You Actually Need for Italian Citizenship by Descent?]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/what-documents-do-you-actually-need-for-italian-citizenship-by-descentConfused about Italian citizenship document requirements? Learn why there's no one-size-fits-all list and download the free Ultimate Document Tracker & Checklist to help you get started.]]>

Why There Is No "One-Size-Fits-All"

One of the most frequently searched questions on google from the jure sanguinis community is: what documents do I need to apply for Italian citizenship by descent?


And here’s the answer nobody wants: it depends.


Unfortunately, as much as you may dislike that answer, it’s the truth. Anyone who tries to simplify it or tell you otherwise is lying to you. There is no one-size-fits-all in jure sanguinis cases. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t DIY some of your document collection. 


The trick to understanding what documents you need to collect is attention to detail and experience. You may not have the same level of experience that we have after years of assisting with applications through consulates all over the world, and courts and comuni all over Italy- but don’t let that stop you from getting started!


First thing first- do you qualify? Why waste all the time, money, headache and heartache of building your application portfolio if you don’t even qualify? If you know that you don’t currently qualify, but you’re prepared to make the investment in the hope that the rules will change, that’s fine, too. The point is- don’t walk blindly down this path without knowing where you stand. For a quick overview, take our Italian citizenship by descent eligibility quiz or book a free introductory call to learn more about our Genealogy & Eligibility services.

Next, build a family tree. It’s important to understand your ancestral line so that you can avoid ordering unnecessary documents. You may have more than one Italian ancestor who can serve as the anchor for your application, but you may not know which line is best for your application until after the genealogy research. And sometimes you won't know which line is best until after you start collecting documents. The key here is to pick the most direct line, with the fewest discrepancies, that conform with the strictest interpretation of the laws. That being said, these factors don’t always perfectly align. Sometimes, the best you can do is two out of three.


The basic documents required are birth, marriage, and death certificates for everyone in the direct line. The direct line refers to your parent and grandparent with Italian heritage, not their spouses. You will also need the naturalization or non-naturalization record of your last Italian born ancestor. Check out our article What is Naturalization?: And Why Is It Important?for more information on how to figure out if your ancestor naturalized and how to collect naturalization (or non-naturalization) records for your Italian citizenship application.               

Where things start to get hairy is in the details.

For example:

Was your grandfather married to someone else before your grandmother? You may need to collect his divorce certificate, or his first wife’s death certificate if her passing ended the marriage. But this is only true if your grandfather is in your direct line- if your grandmother is your last born Italian ancestor, these extra documents are unnecessary!


Are you applying judicially through an Italian court? You likely won’t need the death certificates, unless there is a name discrepancy- such as anglicization like Paolo > Paul- that can be explained on the death certificate with an AKA (also known as). But be careful that the death certificate doesn’t have any additional discrepancies that could cause more problems than it resolves!


Are you applying at a consulate? Which one? Because some consulates require the birth certificates for the spouses of your in-line ancestors, but usually a photocopy will suffice- no Apostille or translation needed! Check your consulate's website for exact information.


Does the surname of your last Italian born ancestor change multiple times across vital records or over the generations? Resolving this issue may require a Court Ordered Declaratory Judgement- sometimes referred to as OATS (One And The Same).


Preparing your documents for a successful application is a lot of hard work. To help you get started, we’ve created a free tool. Download The Ultimate Document Tracker & Checklist here and book a free introductory call to learn more about how we can help you.

Book a Free Introductory Call
]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:54:09 +0200<![CDATA[What is Naturalization?]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/what-is-naturalization-and-why-is-it-importantLearn what naturalization is and why it's critical for Italian citizenship by descent. Understand how ancestry laws, recent decrees, and record requirements impact your eligibility.]]>

And Why Is It Important?

Definition of Naturalization

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of ‘naturalization’ prior to my foray into the world of jure sanguinis. I understood that a person could move from one country to another and become a citizen through a lengthy, often difficult process, but I had never heard it referred to as ‘naturalization’.


naturalization

/ˌnatʃ(ə)rəlʌɪˈzeɪʃn/

Naturalization is the legal process by which a person from another country becomes a citizen 

of a new country after birth.


Naturalization & Eligibility
Now that we know what naturalization is, it is vital to understand why it is so important in the context of Italian citizenship by descent. Due to the way the laws governing Italian citizenship by descent are written, naturalization of your last Italian born ancestor is the linchpin of whether or not you qualify. 

Prior to the Decree Law 36/2025 and the Minor Issue Circolare of October 3rd, 2024, the rules stated that your last Italian born ancestor must only have naturalized after the birth of the next in line in order to successfully pass Italian citizenship on to the next in line. If your last Italian born ancestor or the next ancestor in your direct line moved abroad again to another country (which was not uncommon in the late 19th and early 20th centuries), the same rule applies: the ancestor must not have naturalized until after the birth of the next in line.

It sounds simple, but as you probably know, Italian bureaucracy is fond of over complicating things. On October 3rd, 2024 a circolare was issued regarding the Minor Issue. The Minor Issue stated that if an Italian citizen born in Italy naturalized while their child, who was born abroad, was still a minor, that act of naturalization cut the line for the minor child and their descendants. 


If the minor child was also born in Italy, their parent's naturalization would have stripped them of Italian citizenship as well, thus cutting the line.


My head hurts, too. Hang in there with me just a little bit longer!


On March 28th 2025, the Decreto Legge was proposed with immediate effect, and officially passed into law at the end of May 2025. The decree law limited your last Italian born ancestor to your parent or grandparent, no longer allowing unlimited generations to pass on citizenship. Additionally, the citizenship status of your last born Italian ancestor is highly debated depending on where you apply. 



The law states:

Original Italian

«c) un ascendente di primo o di secondo grado possiede, o possedeva al momento della morte, esclusivamente la cittadinanza italiana»;

English Translation
«c) a first or second degree ascendant possesses, or possessed at the time of death, exclusively Italian citizenship»;

Many US consulates and Italian comuni take this to mean that in order to qualify your ancestor must not have ever naturalized abroad, holding solely Italian citizenship for the entire duration of their life. Some consulates believe that the law requires the Italian born ancestor to not have naturalized until after the birth of the next in line, especially now after the Minor Issue was overruled on June 26, 2026. Many attorneys will not take new cases to court unless the applicant can provide a CONE (certificate of non-existence; referring to the non-existence of naturalization documentation because the ancestor in question never naturalized.

Documentation of Naturalization
Now that we’ve melted our brains diving into the laws to understand how your ancestors’ naturalization could affect your eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent, we need to discuss documents. In order to properly prepare your documents for successful application for Italian citizenship by descent, your portfolio must include the appropriate naturalization records. 

In the US, most naturalization records can be ordered from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). A CONE (certificate of non-existence) will be issued for those who did not naturalize in the US. Otherwise, a certified copy of your ancestors’ naturalization certificates can be ordered. 

Sometimes, naturalization records can be located through NARA, but this is only true if your ancestor did naturalize. NARA holds the paperwork that would have been submitted by your ancestor in order to apply for naturalization, along with the Oath of Allegiance which was signed once their citizenship was approved. NARA records are much less expensive than USCIS records and usually arrive much more quickly. BUT please understand, it’s not a choice between the two- you need to understand if your ancestor naturalized, where they naturalized, and when. Once you know these things, then you will know where and how to collect the correct document from the correct authority.


In order to help break down this part of the process and walk you through how to order a naturalization record from USCIS, NARA, or even a local court, take a look at our free Naturalization Documentation Guide. 

Book a Free Introductory Call

Glossary


Ciroclare - an official notice, announcement, or advertisement sent to many people at the same time.


Decreto Legge -  decree law; a temporary law made by the government in an urgent situation.


Italian Consulate - an official regional office representing Italy in a foreign city, providing public services like passport issuance, visa processing, and citizen support. It operates under an Italian Embassy.


Jure Sanguinis / Jus Sanguinis - the law of blood; Italian citizenship by descent.


The Minor Issue - outlined in the October 3rd 2024 Circolare, cut the line for applicants applying for Italian citizenship by descent if their last Italian born ancestor naturalized abroad while the next in line was still of minor age.


Naturalization - a way of obtaining citizenship, other than the citizenship you are born with, in a country where you hold legal permanent residence.


]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:13:29 +0200<![CDATA[In the Absence of Evidence]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/in-the-absence-of-evidence-how-to-deal-with-missing-recordsDon’t let a missing document derail your Italian citizenship dreams. Explore how to creatively verify your ancestry when the paper trail goes cold.]]>

How to Deal with Missing Records

What do you mean, my grandparents weren’t married?!


        Does this sound familiar? Maybe it was your parents. Or maybe you’re missing a vital record because of a fire or an earthquake. It could even be that the document never existed in the first place. Don’t freak out just yet- there are several ways around a missing document.

        If you’ve read my article The Truth in the Cashbox, you’ll know that you can’t always trust what your family tells you. In their defense, lies aren’t always intentional. Many of us in the Italian diaspora have heard similar stories like ‘your great grandmother was the illegitimate child of a nobleman!’, or even simply, ‘your grandfather was born in the US, not Italy!’. In my lineage, both of these stories appeared (in some cases for more than one ancestor). But it was the lie that my grandparents were married that led to my next major road bump- what do you do when the document you need doesn’t exist?

       Without my grandparents' marriage certificate, I needed to find another way to prove my father’s paternity. The line I used to apply for citizenship back in 2024 was Me < My Father < My Grandfather < My Great Grandfather. Although my grandfather was listed on my father’s birth certificate, it cannot be relied on as sufficient proof. If you have a similar issue and need to prove paternity for someone in your line, the easiest way to do so is to have an official document drawn up where the father acknowledges the next in line as their child. The obvious issue here, as it was in my case, is when the family members in question are no longer living.

        The next route I explored was church records. In many cases, a sacramental certificate issued by a church in place of a marriage certificate, or a baptismal certificate in place of a birth certificate is an acceptable form of documentation. Unfortunately, there was no church record of my grandparents’ marriage because they never married, not in the eyes of the government or god. However, if I was able to locate my father’s baptism certificate, and it just happened to include my grandfather’s signature, it would have been the perfect example of proof of paternity. Although I successfully located and received a copy of my father’s baptism certificate with my grandfather listed as my father’s father, it did not bear his signature. I had the document notarized and Apostilled, just in case.

Another reliable option is a Last Will and Testament where the parent either claimed paternity for their child or bequeathed property or belongings to them as their heir. This was my best chance at finding an alternative to my grandparents’ marriage certificate. In my childhood, I visited my grandfather’s house many times. After his passing, I remember the discord between my divorced parents and my grandmother, who all felt entitled to a fair share. But my father was the only one listed on the deed. This was the key. 

My grandpa Sal in front of his house.

First, I searched for my grandfather’s will in the local county where his house was, then in the county where he lived prior, both to no avail. After diving into a rabbit hole of research, I discovered that the deed to the house was considered public and could be requested through the local county. If the Will didn’t exist, there would still be evidence in the transference of the deed from my grandfather to my father. Alas, the high from my ingenious discovery was short lived. My grandfather had purchased the land long before there was even a proper street name, let alone an address. I used google maps and my memory to try to decipher the correct address, all the while cross referencing the county’s website. I was exhausted, so I put the matter to rest, and figured I would pick back up on it in the morning.

The next morning, when trying to log back into the website for the county clerk’s office I was met with an alert- the website was indefinitely offline due to a hacker! Just my luck! I was so close! I waited a few weeks, but the itch to get my hands on the lynchpin document was too great. I wrote out a detailed letter explaining what I was looking for, a few possible addresses, a copy of my photo ID, and a cashier’s check for the payment. Two weeks later, I had the deed in my hands. Shaking, I tore through it until I finally found the line that specifically stated my grandfather transferred the deed to his son, my father! 

As I write this recollection, I understand just how fortunate I am that I was able to locate this document- which was later waived away and dismissed by the comune worker as unnecessary. You can read all about my application in Italy in my article Piano, Piano. After my sister and I completed this process for ourselves, I became passionate about helping others achieve their goals of being recognized as an Italian citizen. Just as no two people are the same, neither are any two family lines, nor the issues or solutions for their applications. If you’re having trouble locating or replacing a missing record, book a free introductory call to find out how we can help.

On the left, my grandparents holding my newborn father; on the right is the house my grandpa built still in its early stages.
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]]>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:36:05 +0200<![CDATA[Jure Sanguinis]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/jure-sanguinis-the-laws-explainedAre you navigating the complexities of Italian citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis)? Recent legislative changes—including new rules regarding “The Minor Issue” and the impact of Decreto Legge 36/2025—have significantly altered eligibility requirements.]]>

The Laws Explained

There are a few things you need to know about Italian citizenship by descent (also known as Jure Sanguinis or Jus Sanguinis) before you can determine if you are still eligible under the new laws.


Previously, those with Italian heritage who could trace their ancestry back and collect the vital documents to prove it, could claim citizenship. In recent years, the number of people applying for recognition has boomed. Consulate appointments have become increasingly impossible to book leading to many applicants choosing to pursue their case in court. 

        The first blow to those seeking recognition of their Italian citizenship came on the 3rd of October 2024 when the Gazzetta Ufficiale posted a circolare that reinterpreted the laws thus anyone with “The Minor Issue” was rendered ineligible. 

“The Minor Issue” is a way to describe anyone whose last Italian born ancestor naturalized abroad before the next in line became an adult. Prior to 1975 the age of adulthood was 21 years old, after 1975 the age was lowered to 18. 

After the circolare, many applicants shifted to an alternative line of Italian descent in order to keep the dream alive. While many Italian men naturalized in order to work legally after moving abroad, oftentimes their wives did not. In cases where the female ancestor was also born in Italy, but did NOT naturalize, the application could be processed through her. If the female ancestor gave birth to the next in line before 1948, the applicant has to take their case to Italian court. 1948 cases cannot be processed at a consulate or via residency in Italy. Although 1948 cases are still considered valid, your line must still be eligible under the Decreto Legge (Decree Law) 74/2025.

On March 28th, 2025 the Gazzetta Ufficiale posted the Decreto Legge 36/2025 which was converted into law as Decreto Legge 74/2025, and primarily made the following changes to the rules governing Italian citizenship by descent:

  1. Only those whose parent or grandparent were the last Italian born ancestor have a viable line. (Anyone whose last Italian born ancestor is their great grandparent or further is no longer eligible).

  2. Only those whose last Italian born ancestor never naturalized abroad, remaining solely Italian for the duration of their life OR was solely Italian at the time of birth of the next in line if they are still living, are considered to be eligible for citizenship by descent. (Meaning, your last Italian born ancestor could not have naturalized at all!)

  3. Opened a "reacquisition window": Any persons who were previously Italian, but naturalized abroad before dual citizenship became legal in 1992 are now able to reclaim Italian citizenship via declaration at their local consulate with a deadline of December 2027.

  4. Minor Children: An extended deadline has been issued to parents, who now have until May 31, 2029 to file a declaration of intent for children who were under 18 on May 24, 2025 (when the law was passed). For births occurring after the new law was passed, parents must register or submit the declaration within three years of birth or adoption.


Other notable changes from the Decreto Legge include:

  • Two year expedited naturalization: for those whose last Italian born ancestor is a parent or grandparent, but that person naturalized. The applicant must be approved for a visa in order to relocate to Italy to become a permanent resident. After two years and successfully passing a B1 level Italian language exam, the applicant can gain Italian citizenship through naturalization after completing just two years of residency.


Updates:

         

  • In April and June of 2026, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Cassation convened to deliberate the legality of the Decreto Legge and the October 3rd circolare. Unfortunately, the new laws have been upheld. 
  • On July 23rd 2026, the Constitutional Court officially suspended their proceedings and referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in order no. 147/2026. 
  • On July 26th 2026, the Minor Issue was overturned, but still contradicts the Decreto Legge 74/2025 in terms of whether or not your last Italian born ancestor's naturalization cut the line. The Constitutional Court recently delayed making an official decision on the Decreto Legge by referring the case to the CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union) through order number 147/2026. 
  • August 10th 2026, upholding the decision made by the Supreme Court of Cassation's landmark Joint Sections Ruling No. 24045 of July 26, 2026, a new circolare was issued effectively reversing circolare 43347/2024, known for introducing the Minor Issue. There is no precedent for successfully applying this rule change to new applications, but you can now request an official re-evaluation if your case was denied specifically due to the October 3rd 2024 circolare.

   There’s a lot of misinformation online right now, and unfortunately, the more you read the easier it is to become confused. This new ruling on the Minor Issue is an important win, but there’s still a lot up in the air. For now, what’s certain is, if you have a parent or grandparent who never naturalized, you’re likely still eligible. 


We know just how heartbreaking these changes have been to the global Italian diaspora who were midway through the process of having their Italian citizenship recognized. Please know that if your goal was to relocate to Italy, or achieve Italian citizenship, there are still other pathways for you. Book a free introductory call to discover your options and how Studio Settebello can help you get started.


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Glossary


Ciroclare - an official notice, announcement, or advertisement sent to many people at the same time.

The Constitutional Court - Corte Costituzionale is the highest independent legal body that checks if laws follow the Italian Constitution, resolves power disputes between state branches or regions, and judges the President for high treason.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) - ensures EU law is applied the same way in all member countries.

Decreto Legge -  decree law; a temporary law made by the government in an urgent situation.

Gazzetta Ufficiale - the official gazzette or journal; where the Italian government publishes new laws, decrees, regulations, and public notices.

Italian Consulate - an official regional office representing Italy in a foreign city, providing public services like passport issuance, visa processing, and citizen support. It operates under an Italian Embassy.

Jure Sanguinis / Jus Sanguinis - the law of blood; Italian citizenship by descent.

The Minor Issue - outlined in the October 3rd 2024 Circolare, cut the line for applicants applying for Italian citizenship by descent if their last Italian born ancestor naturalized abroad while the next in line was still of minor age.

Naturalization - a way of obtaining citizenship, other than the citizenship you are born with, in a country where you hold legal permanent residence.

The Supreme Court of Cassation - Corte Suprema di Cassazione is Italy's highest court of last resort for civil and criminal matters, ensuring laws are applied correctly and interpreted in a unified manner across the entire country.

]]>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:31:26 +0200<![CDATA[A Seemingly Insurmountable Task]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/a-seemingly-insurmountable-task-how-I-made-the-move-from-the-US-to-ItalyMoving to Italy felt like an impossible dream that no one believed in. Discover the real story of how I left the rat race behind and chose to pursue dual citizenship.]]>

How I Made the Move From the US to Italy

When I decided to move to Italy, I knew I couldn’t tell anyone about my plans. The guilt of hiding such a momentous dream evaporated when I finally shared my secret- no one believed me. Not my colleagues, not my neighbors, not my family, or friends. It wasn’t my dream of moving abroad that they doubted- rather, they never thought that I’d actually do it. Some smiled politely, others laughed out loud. My boss flat out refused to hire my replacement even after I’d put in my notice. To them, my dream was a joke.

Outwardly, I continued going through the motions of my old life, as if it were just a movie playing in the background to appease my ADHD, meanwhile I worked tirelessly towards what felt like an insurmountable goal.

In retrospect, making the decision felt  like flipping a switch. I went to bed one night and when I woke up the next morning it was decided. In reality, I had been dreaming of living in Europe since I was in high school. As each year of my adulthood passed by, I witnessed the probability of my dream coming true grow smaller and smaller. It was in 2022, when everyone was trying to pretend that COVID was over, and I was the brokest I’d ever been in my adult life, that I heard about Italian citizenship by descent. 

Although I’d heard about jure sanguinis before, more than a decade earlier from a co-worker, I thought my Italian ancestry was too far back for me to qualify. At the time, I was too overwhelmed as a full time student and employee to do any research. Back then I still had hope that I’d find a great job that would sponsor my move to Europe, I never even contemplated dual citizenship. Maybe it was a Tik-Tok video or a Facebook post, I don’t remember now, but in August of 2022 I realized that my sister and I just might be eligible and I dove in. 

The timing was perfect, though in the moment it didn’t feel that way. After COVID my career was gone. I was an under-employed, jaded millennial, disillusioned with US politics and the mirage of the American Dream. I was burnt out from the perpetual rat race and I didn’t want to worry anymore about my lack of health insurance snowballing me into bankruptcy. Don’t get me wrong, Europe has its share of problems too- especially Italy. It wasn’t so much a “grass is greener” situation as it was a “I’ve got nothing left to lose, why not throw caution to the wind?” It never feels like the right time to go for your dreams. I had already spent too much time playing the game according to everyone else’s rules. I figured if I was going to continue to be miserable, it might as well be because I tried and failed to do things my own way.

            It was terrifying. It still is sometimes. Sometimes I’m awestruck by the beautiful wonder of the ancient buildings in my town and the view of the Mediterranean Sea from my balcony- I pinch myself in disbelief.

This is my real life and I feel so lucky! 

            Other times I lament the loss of being able to jump in my car, swing by the dispensary, and grab a pint of Haagen-Dazs chocolate peanut butter ice cream on my way back home. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Making this move wasn’t about transplanting my old life onto a new backdrop, and if that is your mindset you’ll certainly fail. It was about challenging what my life could be if I embraced the change, shifted my perspective, and tried something different.


Moving abroad is an enormous feat, but not impossible. It was a series of well organized, measurable tasks. The process demanded patience and flexibility. Things going wrong, or even just differently from my expectations was the norm- so much so that when things went according to plan it made me suspicious. People ask me all the time “how did you do it?” My answer is that I chose it. Not once, not twice, I chose it every day. Every time I was challenged, every time it felt too hard, every time I just wanted to give up or would rather just not exist- I chose it. And I still do. I think that’s true about every hard thing we can do: the real trick isn’t knowing the exact series of steps, or all the potential pitfalls and pain points, it helps, but nothing will make your dreams come true if you are not actively choosing them every single time.


For more details about my genealogy research, preparing my documents for jure sanguinis, and my application in Italy check out my other articles: The Truth in The Cashbox;In The Absence of Evidence; and Piano, Piano.

And for an in depth guide on how to prepare yourself to make a successful move abroad, check out our Pre-Arrival Workbook.


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]]>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:28:57 +0200<![CDATA[Piano, Piano]]>https://www.studiosettebello.com/articles/post/piano-piano-my-jure-sanguinis-application-in-italyFrom residency in Italy to complex bureaucracy, learn how careful preparation and the right local support can turn an impossible task into a success story. Read my journey and learn why navigating the process requires patience, local support, and to take things piano, piano.]]>

My Jure Sanguinis Application in Italy

        If you’ve spent any amount of time at all in the online communities regarding Jure Sanguinis you’ll know that applying in Italy is risky business- or so some would have you believe.

It’s true that a full blown move to Italy is no small undertaking, even if you only plan to stay for a year or so to process your recognition. Additionally, it’s critical to select a comune (city or town) that will be receptive to processing your residency and jure sanguinis application. Choose a comune too big and you’ll be met with government officials unwilling to take the time out of their busy schedules to deal with your application. Too small and you risk facing a clerk who isn’t at all familiar with the process. It’s important to understand that Italy isn’t the US, the bureaucracy works differently here, and if you’re not accustomed to it, it can make an application in Italy an impossible task.

Applying in Italy wasn’t always my plan. Although my goal was always to move abroad, I much preferred the plan where I became a recognized citizen through the consulate first without having to risk it all and move across the world. I knew that an application through the consulate would take at least two years to process, and that getting an appointment was difficult, but I really had no idea just how impossible it was until I tried. Before I was even certain that I qualified, I created a Prenot@mi account for the Italian Boston Consulate (in the region where I lived at the time). In 2022 I couldn’t even get onto the calendar page. I tried a midnight Rome time (CET), once a month when the appointments were released, on Thursdays, from the high speed wifi, from a different computer, from my phone, from a laptop, from a landline- the result was always the same, for months!

The day my sister and I were recognized as Italian citizens.

Finally I got onto the calendar in 2023, the soonest appointment was for Christmas Eve in 2029! I knew there was no way that appointment would stick, certain it was a mistake, I kept flipping through the pages. Month after month, red, red, red. Finally, I saw black! But I had skipped so far ahead, we were now into 2031. No. There was no way I was waiting a decade to have my citizenship recognized. There were already whispers of ‘The Minor Issue’, which luckily wasn’t an issue for my line, but I felt that if they could restrict the rules for one reason, other, more restrictive rules would be sure to follow. So, I focused and got to work. 

Document collection, amendments, apostille- I had it all covered. I was practicing my Italian every day, I was mapping out the comune and building an address book of all the places I would need to know in my day to day life. The one thing I couldn’t DIY was getting someone to respond to me about renting an apartment. After a tremendous amount of research, I found a service provider located in Italy who was willing to assist us. As part of her service, she contacted the comune to ensure they were willing to accept our application. It was a good thing she did, because the comune wasn’t willing to even look at our application until we held residency there for at least one year! She recommended a different comune, one she was familiar with, one where she knew they would accept our application, and knew of a landlord willing to rent to us. It wasn’t perfect, and there were plenty of bumps in the road, some of which could have been easily avoided with better planning, but she did what she said she would do- something I was unable to do for myself. For that, I will always be grateful.

The comune workers were some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. They appreciated my imperfect attempts at communicating in Italian, and calmed my nerves with a waive of their hands and the promise of ‘piano, piano’.


Piano, piano. An Italian phrase literally meaning ‘slowly, slowly’. 


It turned out that all of the work I did trying to prove my father’s paternity (In The Absence of Evidence) was unnecessary, as the comune worker decided that my grandfather’s name on his birth certificate was more than enough. Honestly, I was still glad I had it, better safe than sorry. We arrived at the end of May 2024 (which I truly do not recommend, plan on arriving in the fall or winter, because nothing ever gets accomplished over the summer in Italy). We had to nudge the comune a bit to get them to stop by our house to complete the residency check. Immediately after our residency was confirmed, we were able to make an appointment to submit our application for jure sanguinis at the end of July 2024. Like I said, nothing typically gets done over the summer, especially not in August. The circolare establishing ‘The Minor Issue’ came out on October 3rd 2024, which did not affect our line. And finally my sister and I were recognized by the middle of October 2024.

If we had waited even just a few months, we may have hit the Decreto Legge (Decree Law) 36/2025 of March 28th 2025, restricting jure sanguinis applicants to only those whose parent or grandparent was born in Italy, and also only those who did not naturalize, remaining solely Italian. Both of these pieces would have made my sister and I ineligible. To learn more about the current laws governing jure sanguinis check out our article Jure Sanguinis: The Laws Explained or book a free introductory call with us to find out how we can help you.


For a detailed breakdown of how to determine your legal pathway abroad and what to expect in your first 90 days after the move, download our free guide: The Relocation Roadmap.

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