Italian Citizenship by Descent- How does it Prove Beneficial for Americans?

The year 2020 marked a transition period for many people as it brought out a significant change in their lives. People today are deciding to rethink assumptions, which they once took for granted. This saying has been particularly true for many Americans who have an Italian heritage. Recent research sheds light on a surge in Italian citizenship applications, which increased by 400% compared to 2019.Â
What do Americans prefer Citizenship by Descent?
Many Americans are inclined towards Jure Sanguinis due to a growing wealth disparity in the United States. Additionally, the prevalence of gun violence and environmental and health concerns are some reasons.
Know that this trend is most likely to continue in January 2021 and beyond, provided the alarming events continue prevalence.
Undeniably, Italian Citizenship by Descent seems to be attractive on its own. And there are several reasons for this. Some of the most popular ones include high-quality and low-cost universal health care, affordable university tuition fees, right to study, work and reside in an EU member state.
What are the Various Ways of Obtaining an Italian Citizenship?
There are several ways of obtaining citizenship. An applicant can easily acquire citizenship through Jure Sanguinis, that is, by the right of blood or descent. This means that you have the right to claim your citizenship because of your part in the Italian family bloodline. Some other ways include citizenship by marriage or citizenship by residency.Â
However, Americans prefer applying for citizenship by descent as the most popular way. And, the best part is Dual Citizenship, that is, holding Italy’s and America’s citizenship, at the same time.
Who is Eligible for Jure Sanguinis?
If you have an unbroken line with your ancestors who have the right to claim citizenship, you become eligible.
However, they have to prove that you’re eligible for Italian Citizenship by Descent. Now that you think you qualify for full Jure Sanguinis, know that Bersani Law Firm provides a great guide here for helping you make a sound decision. Many countries, including the US, recognize jus sanguinis, or citizenship by bloodline.Â
The law experts say that criteria to establish eligibility include:
- You would be eligible for Italian citizenship only if the male Italian ancestor was alive on or after March 17, 1861. Also, you need to prove that the right to claim citizenship is valid and isn’t naturalized before the descendants’ birth by some other country. If all conditions hold true, the citizenship right passes on to the next generation.
- Children whose mother was an Italian citizen and was born after January 1, 1948, are also eligible.
- Know that there isn’t a limit to interceding generation’s number. However, the ancestors have to necessarily preserve their right to become citizens until the next generation is born.
What are the Required Documents for Jure Sanguinis?
If you’re sure of your eligibility, it is wise to gather the required legal documents before applying for a second passport. Some records vital as per US requirements are birth, marriage, and death certificates. Know that these must have long-form copies.Â
Also, the law experts emphasize that Americans applying for Italian citizenship must have an official seal of the Registrar’s Office along with the date when these were filed. The documents shouldn’t be photocopies and must have Apostille for validity. Furthermore, it would be best if you translated them into Italian from English or your native language.
Final Walkthroughs
In short, Americans getting Jure Sanguinis is a reasonable way of accessing the benefits of the EU to lead a higher quality of life. The citizens tend to open windows of opportunities- employment, travel, education, among others. What’s even better is they have the ease of keeping their American citizenship, reaping the benefits of both through open options.