Frequently Asked Questions

Italian-Americans are the fifth largest ethnic group in the U.S., with an estimated 20 million Americans of Italian descent. Many trace their origins to regions like Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, and Molise. Between 1880 and 1924, over 4 million Italians immigrated to America, fleeing natural disasters, disease, political tensions, and unfair taxes. Wages in the U.S. were three times higher than in Italy’s struggling economy, making it an attractive destination.

Initially, many Italian men were “birds of passage,” working in the U.S. and sending money home. After World War I, they began bringing their families to settle permanently. However, most didn’t become U.S. citizens right away. Naturalization was a multi-step process that required time, residency, and learning English. Many didn’t naturalize until after the next generation was born.

Since most Italian immigrants arrived after Italy’s unification in 1861, they were born as Italian citizens. Additionally, during this period, detailed records of births, deaths, marriages, and naturalizations were kept in both Italy and the U.S., making it possible to find the paperwork needed for dual citizenship.

So, with such a strong historical foundation and good record-keeping, your chances of being eligible for dual Italian citizenship are pretty darn good!

Patience is key! The entire process typically takes around three years. Due to backlogs from COVID and a surge in interest, most people are booking appointments two years out, and it can take another six months for consulates to finalize citizenship.

At Italian Roots, we start working right away and aim to gather and process all materials within 12 to 18 months. While every case is unique, we always strive to make the process as efficient as possible. Remember, becoming an Italian citizen takes far less time than building Rome — and the benefits last a lifetime!

Yes, it is! Once you become an Italian citizen, your children, grandchildren, and future generations will inherit Italian citizenship, giving them the same rights and benefits — including healthcare, education, travel, and work opportunities in the EU.

You’ll need to apply through the Consulate that covers your area of residence. To prove this, you’ll be asked for a photo ID and a utility bill or bank statement showing your address in that consular jurisdiction.

Children under 18 can be included in their parents’ applications — no separate appointment needed! Adult children (18+) will need their own appointments but can refer to their parents' documents if they live in the same consular jurisdiction. Otherwise, they’ll need to submit their own set of original documents.

Spouses can apply for citizenship too, but they’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in Italian and apply through a separate process once your citizenship is granted.

Siblings who share the same Consulate can use previously submitted documents and only need to provide originals of documents unique to them. Cousins, however, need to submit their own documents regardless of residency.

Sharing the process with family through Italian Roots can help you save on costs!

No worries here! Italy’s military has been entirely voluntary since 2005.

For taxes, there’s an agreement between the U.S. and Italy, so taxes paid to one can offset what’s owed to the other. However, if you live in Italy for more than 183 days a year, you may be subject to Italian taxes.

We recommend consulting a tax professional if you need more details.