08 Apr How to Apply for Italian Citizenship for a Minor Born Abroad: A Guide to the New Regulation
As of March 28, 2025, Italian citizenship law has been updated with new rules for those wishing to register the birth of a child born abroad. This change, introduced by Decree-Law No. 36 of March 28, 2025, outlines the specific cases in which it is possible to request Italian citizenship for children of Italian citizens born outside of Italy.
If you have a child born abroad and would like them to acquire Italian citizenship, here’s what you need to know.
Who Can Apply for Citizenship for a Minor Born Abroad
Starting March 28, 2025, birth registration requests in Italy for a minor born abroad are only accepted in the following cases:
- Child of an Italian citizen born in Italy.
- Child of an Italian citizen born abroad, who lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the child’s birth.
- Child of an Italian citizen born abroad, with at least one grandparent born in Italy.
- Child who does not fall into any of the above categories, but who does not possess another citizenship.
Required Conditions for Birth Registration
To proceed with the birth registration request, all of the following requirements must be met:
- Residence within the jurisdiction of the Consulate: At least one parent must reside in one of the areas under the jurisdiction of the Consulate (e.g., Southern England, Wales, Gibraltar, etc.). If you live in a different area, you must contact the appropriate Consulate.
- Italian citizenship and AIRE registration: One parent must be an Italian citizen born in Italy and registered with the AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad). If neither parent was born in Italy, at least one grandparent must have been, or one parent must have lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the child’s birth.
👉 Need help registering with AIRE? Read more here - Marriages and divorces: Any previous marriages or divorces must be registered in Italy.
👉 Need help registering a marriage? Learn more here - Updated address: The declared address must be correctly registered in the consular database.
Required Documents for the Application
To start the procedure, you must send all the following documents to the Consulate via Special Delivery:
- Birth registration request form: Must be filled and signed by both parents or the legal guardian.
- Copy of a valid ID for the minor: Passport or ID card of the child (if available).
- Copy of valid IDs for the parents or legal guardian: Passport or ID card (Italian or foreign) of both parents.
- Pre-paid Special Delivery envelope: For any communications or document returns.
- Original birth certificate: Must be a UK “Full Birth Certificate” with Apostille.
- Legalization of the birth certificate: The certificate must be legalized via Apostille by the competent authority in the country of birth.
👉 Need help with legalization? Click here - Italian translation of the birth certificate: The certificate must be translated into Italian by a professional translator.
👉 Need certified translation? Click here
Special Note: If the Parents Were Not Married
If the parents were not married at the time of the child’s birth, the birth certificate must show both parents’ names.
If only one parent is listed, a declaration of acknowledgment of paternity is required. This can be issued at the Consulate’s Notarial Office.
If the parents were married, and the marriage is already registered in Italy, the certificate may list only one parent as the declarant.
Processing Time and Application Tracking
Once the full documentation has been submitted, the estimated processing time is around 10 weeks. During this time, you can track your application:
- Document tracking: Use your Special Delivery tracking number to confirm receipt by the Consulate.
- Email notifications: You will receive an email once your documents have been forwarded to the relevant Italian Municipality. Be sure to also check your spam folder.
For Minors Born in Countries Other than the United Kingdom
If the child was born in a country other than the UK, the legalization and translation process may differ. You must provide the birth certificate issued by the country of birth.
For example:
If the child was born in Brazil, submit the “Certidão de nascimento de Inteiro Teor” issued by the Cartório.
Depending on the Country of Birth:
- Countries adhering to the Hague Convention (1961): The certificate must be legalized with a paper Apostille by the competent authority in the country of birth (e.g., Cartório in Brazil).
- Countries not party to the Convention: The certificate must be legalized at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country of birth.
Italian Translation of the Birth Certificate
The translation must be done exclusively by a professional translator. You do not need to translate the Apostille. The translation must be accurate and match the original document in order to be accepted by the Italian Municipality.
Legalization of the Italian Translation
- Certificates in English: For certificates issued in English (e.g., USA, Canada, South Africa), legalization of the translation is not required. The Consulate will verify the accuracy of the translation and can provide a certified version.
- Certificates in other languages: If the certificate is written in a language other than English, the translation must be apostilled (following the issuing country’s procedure) or legalized by the Italian Consulate in that country.
Example: If the certificate is from Brazil, the translation must be sworn in Italy, but only after the original certificate is legalized via Apostille.
👉 Need help with this process? Contact us
What Happens to the Original Documents
Please note that original documents will not be returned and will be kept on file by the Consulate. However, you can request certified copies of the birth certificate directly from the issuing authority.
In Conclusion
The new regulation offers important opportunities for minors born abroad to acquire Italian citizenship, but it’s crucial to follow all the procedural steps correctly. If you meet the requirements and submit the proper documentation, the process will be smoother and more transparent.
📌 Don’t forget to track your application, and contact the Consulate for any further clarification if needed.
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