Italian Dual Citizenship - III Cases acquired by naturalization

​This week we talk about  Italian citizenship acquired by naturalization. 

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This information originally appeared on..
http://www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/en/legal-framework/domestic-law/Pages/The-Italian-citizenship.aspxgraph
The acquisition of nationality occurs by naturalisation in the following cases:

MARRIAGE WITH AN ITALIAN NATIONAL: foreign or stateless spouses of Italian citizens may become Italian nationals after two years of legal residence in Italy or, if resident abroad, after three years as from the day of marriage, unless dissolution, annulment or separation occur, and if no legal separation intervenes.

Where can we require it?
The foreign can fill in the application to the Prefecture – Territorial Office of the residence place (or, if the interested person is located abroad, to the relevant diplomatic-consular authority) using a suitable written application (form A). Additional information is available on the official website of each Prefecture. 

Which is the authority deciding on it?

As of 1st June 2012, the competence to issue the decrees granting nationality by marriage pertain to the following Authorities:

• the Prefect (Prefettura) in case of applications filed by foreigners legally residing in Italy;
• the Ministry of the Interior (Ministero degli Interni) – Head of Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration, in case foreign spouses live abroad;
• the Ministry of the Interior (Ministero degli Interni)in case of National Security issues

ORDINARY NATURALISATION: foreigners may apply for Italian citizenship after ten years of legal residence in Italy, decreased to five years in case of foreign nationals are stateless persons or refugees and to four years for residents residing in EU Countries.
Foreigns can request Italian Citizenship by naturalisation in the following cases:

1. if one of the parents or second direct ancestors of the foreigner, which have been legally residing in Italy for at least three years, are Italian citizens by birth;
2. if adult foreigners adopted by Italian citizens have been living lawfully in Italy for at least five years following the adoption;
3. if foreign nationals have been State employees, including abroad, for at least five years;
4. if foreigners born in Italy have been therein residing for at least three years.

To whom shall the application for the acquisition of the Italian citizenship by naturalisation be filed?

In these cases, the application for nationality, addressed to the President of the Italian Republic, shall be filed to the Prefecture – Territorial Office of the place of residence. Form B to be used for the filing of the application is available in the competent Prefectures websites. 

How much time does it take?

According to the Law, the procedures for the granting of nationality can required seven-hundred and thirty days (2 years) from the date of filing of the application.

Through its Circular Letter dated 17th May 2011, the Ministry of the Interior urged the Prefectures to comply with the deadlines provided for by the Law.

Now you can check the status of your application… from 5th July 2010, a service is available on the Ministry of the Interior website, allowing all those who applied for Italian citizenship to check in real-time the status of their records. To register on the website, users shall indicate their e-mail address and personal data. After registration, it is possible to access the information requested by entering the code of one’s citizenship application.

Self Certifications 

From 1st June 2012, the Italian public administrations shall acquire the information, data, and documents already owned by the Public Administration upon indication by the party involved in the necessary items to find the information or data requested.
Therefore, applicants shall not produce certificates bearing information or data already owned by the Italian Public Administration but only include in the application all the elements necessary to find such information or data.

How much does it cost?​

As of 8th August 2009, all the applications and declarations for the election, acquisition, reacquisition, renunciation or granting of the Italian nationality are subject to a 200 Euro fee.

​www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/en/legal-framework/domestic-law/Pages/The-Italian-citizenship.aspx
Need translations for dual citizenship? I'll be happy to help! See you next week with another case!
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