What to Expect at the Italian Consulate
10 THINGS YOU CAN EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT AT THE CONSULATE
The consulate process is the final step in obtaining Italian citizenship. If approved, you will be granted all of the rights and benefits that Italian-born citizens have and includes receiving an Italian passport. Here are a few important things to remember about becoming an Italian citizen:
- You don’t have to give up being a U.S. citizen, as both countries allow for dual citizenship.
- The Italian military is a volunteer service; has been since 1995.
- If you choose to live in the country for over 180 days in a year, you will pay Italy’s taxes. The U.S. and Italy have a tax agreement on when taxes are paid to one offsets what the other is owed. Since we are not tax accountants or attorneys, it’s advised you seek professional assistance from them.
- You are not required to speak the Italian language to gain citizenship. It is, however, advised that you study Italian since it will improve your quality of life in the country – be it working, traveling or living in Italy.
- Depending on the consulate location near you, it can take several weeks or even months before you sit down with a consulate. The Italian Passport takes care of its clients’ applications, starting on the date the client agrees to be represented and the time-frame of the Italian consulate.
10 Things You Can Expect During Your Appointment With The Consulate
- Your citizenship application will be reviewed in person. You must attend the appointment and bring your materials.
- The Italian consular officer you meet will look over your Italian citizenship documents to ensure there’s no broken chain of Italian citizenship along the way.
- The consulate will retain original documents that you turn in that support your Italian citizenship application. Be sure to order duplicates if you want to keep certain documents.
- Italian consular officers can deny applications without prejudice if they feel a name or date isn’t correct. They may ask that the name or date be corrected through a record amendment.
- Vital records must be submitted with Forms of the citizenship application. Your and any living ancestors will have to sign these forms either at the consulate or at a notary before the appointment. IDC can prepare these for you.
- When you come to the consulate, you’ll need the following items with you: Divers license, US Passport, Utility bill with your address (and is not over 60 days old from the appointment date), Money order for 300 Euros.
- If the application has been approved, you’ll be notified by mail of the decision and that your vital records are successfully on register at the consulates of the town the ancestor was born in.
- A passport will not be issued the day you’ve been approved for citizenship. Instead, you can take the written proof of your citizenship back to the consulate and get your passport, which will be issued that day.
- You are able to reach out to the Italian consulate you visited directly to receive status updates on the conditional application.
- You can make and edit Italian consulate appointments at your convenience. find instructions on how to make these appointments by going to the Italian consulates websites.
Additional Resources:
- Italian citizenship Brazil, Argentina, and South America
- Italian dual citizenship 1948 rule
- Italian citizenship Jure Sanguinis
- Italian citizenship 1948 rule
- Benefits of Italian dual citizenship
- Italian citizenship by marriage
- Italian citizenship Canada
- How to get an Italian passport
- Italian dual citizenship
- Italian citizenship Australia
- Italian citizenship requirements
- Italian citizenship UK
- How do I become an Italian citizen
