- Italy Assist
- Posts
- Italian Citizenship by Marriage: How Long Until You Are Officially Italian?
Italian Citizenship by Marriage: How Long Until You Are Officially Italian?
A Guide to the Timeline and Key Steps Involved in Acquiring Italian Citizenship by Marriage
Italian citizenship by marriage is pursued by many non-Italian citizens who are married to Italian citizens or intend to marry one. It allows foreign spouses of Italian citizens to acquire Italian citizenship, provided they meet certain requirements and complete the necessary procedures.
If you are considering applying for Italian citizenship through marriage or if you have already applied and are waiting, it is essential to understand the time it may take, as this can be a complex and time-consuming journey.
In this article, we will explore the key steps involved and provide an estimate of the timeline you can expect.
Table of Contents
Requirements for Italian Citizenship by Marriage
To be eligible for Italian citizenship by marriage, you must fulfil the following criteria. This is just a general overview, we are going to write another article explaining the requirements in more detail. So, subscribe if you have not done so yet.
Marriage to an Italian citizen:
You must be legally married to an Italian citizen.
Duration of marriage:
The marriage must have been valid for at least two years before you can apply for Italian citizenship if you reside in Italy. If you reside abroad, it is three years.
However, the above requirements are halved if you have children together, either biological or adopted.
If the Italian spouse acquires citizenship after the marriage, the period starts from the date of the spouse's naturalization.
Knowledge of the Italian language:
You will be required to demonstrate your knowledge of Italian through a language test, and your level must be at least B1 according to the CEFR.
The Application Process
Once you meet the requirements mentioned above, you can begin the application process for Italian citizenship by marriage. Here is an overview of the typical steps involved:
Gather the required documents:
Collect all the necessary documents, such as your marriage certificate, your birth certificate, your language certificate, criminal certificates, and any other supporting documents required by the Italian authorities.
Submit your application online:
File your application for Italian citizenship by marriage online. If you reside abroad the relevant Italian Consulate will be in touch with you. If you reside in Italy, you will be contacted by the relevant Prefettura.
Document verification:
The authorities will review your application and supporting documents to ensure they are complete and meet the requirements. They may request additional information or documents, if necessary. Do not be surprised if they do, as this happens often.
Background checks and investigations:
Italian authorities conduct background checks, which involve verifying your criminal records and conducting any necessary investigations.
Decision and notification:
After completing the investigation and verification process, the competent authority will decide whether to grant you Italian citizenship by marriage. If approved, you will receive a formal notification of your citizenship status.
Estimated Timeline
The timeframe to obtain Italian citizenship by marriage can vary significantly depending on various factors, including the location where you submit your application and the complexity of your case. So, it is challenging to provide an exact timeline.
However, the law states that maximum deadlines must be respected.
The maximum deadline for the completion of the procedure for granting Italian citizenship by marriage is 24 months, extendable up to a maximum of 36 months, according to Article 4, paragraph 5 of Legislative Decree 21st of October 2020, converted with amendments by Law No. 173 of the 18th of December 2020.
In reality, the process can take from several months to a few years. On average, it may take around 24 months.
Note that for applications submitted before the 20th of December 2020, the deadline for completion is 48 months.
Delays can occur due to administrative backlog, regulation changes, or individual circumstances.
Can I Speed Up the Process?
It depends on whether the maximum time limit set by the law has elapsed.
If the Deadline Has Not Expired
If the maximum time limit has not yet elapsed, it is unlikely that you will be able to expedite the process significantly. This is because before the deadline you cannot demand the conclusion of the procedure.
However, there are a few things you can do. You can submit specific requests for access to documents to understand if there are any issues with your application. This way, you could ensure that the deadline is not violated.
Access to the documents provides individuals with the right to obtain information held by public authorities regarding their cases. This right is based on the principle of transparency.
Requesting access to documents is a crucial step in closely monitoring your citizenship application. Access to documents is an excellent tool for obtaining information on the actual status of your Italian citizenship case, especially in situations where you have already contacted the Italian authorities multiple times without receiving any response, or when there is an excessive delay in the resolution of your application.
You can view and make copies of administrative documents related to your case, by accessing the documents. As a general rule, you can view all documents; however, there are exceptions, such as cases involving the State’s security where access may be restricted.
This tool should not be misused. If you request access to documents about a recently submitted application, this is not well received by the authorities.
If the Deadline Has Expired
If the deadline has expired, and you have already accessed the documents but have had no significant success pushing the authorities to proceed quicker, you can proceed with a formal notice. You need to contact an Italian lawyer to proceed.
Conclusion
Acquiring Italian citizenship through marriage can be rewarding and life-changing. However, it is important to be aware of the time and effort involved in the process.
The waiting times for acquiring Italian citizenship through marriage can be considerably lengthy. It can take several years from when you decide to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage, gather the required documentation, submit the application, possibly integrate with further documents that the Italian authorities might ask you, and wait for them to make a formal decision on your case.
If you have resided in multiple countries or if you do not know the Italian language and need to study before taking the test, times are even longer.
By law, the limit is 24, 36, or 48 months, depending on the abovementioned circumstances.
You have ways to expedite the process, but for this, it is advised that you seek professional help.
While the specific timeline may vary depending on individual circumstances, it is crucial to understand the requirements, gather the necessary documentation, and follow the correct application procedures. This would make the process quicker.
Of course, the presence of complexity can significantly prolong the procedure. Therefore, preparing the documents as accurately and complete as possible is important.
Patience and careful preparation are key during this process.
Each case is unique, and it is highly advised to consult with an Italian legal professional to ensure accurate information and support throughout your citizenship journey, helping you avoid delays and ensure your application is processed correctly.
📩 If you are interested in learning more about Italian citizenship and related topics, subscribe to this newsletter today. You will receive new articles directly in your inbox as soon as they are published.
☑️ If you are already a subscriber, thank you. We look forward to sharing more on Italian law with you in our next article. Until next time!
🗣️ This post is public so feel free to share it.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not exhaustive, does not constitute legal advice, and does not establish or replace a lawyer-client relationship. The individuals named in examples are not real people but fictional characters used to help explain Italian law in a more practical way. We do not assume any responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or misuse of any content on this newsletter/website or the content of pages linked to or from it. If you need legal assistance for your specific case, you must hire a legal professional.