There are two ways: the recognition by mother’s descent and the recognition by father’s descent. Starting from the latter, which must be demanded in a trial, we will ask you to present a list of documents needed to prove the direct and uninterrupted descent from the Italian ancestor. In the case of the recognition by father’s descent, instead, you will need something more. Since we’ll need to proceed administratively, other than the descent one must prove in trial that it is impossible to be recognized as an Italian citizen at reasonable times, thus compromising the effectiveness of the right to be recognized as an Italian citizen. For example, one may produce the date on which the Consulate scheduled your case to be handled (in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the waiting list is TEN years long!).

To be relevant, in this case, is the gender of the last Italian ancestor with whom you can prove a direct descent and who has preserved his Italian citizenship. If this was a woman, then you will be considered a mother’s descendant, having immediate (and required) access to the judicial recognizement of your status; if it was a man, you will be considered a father’s descendant. If you are a descendant of an Italian couple, you will need to follow the father’s descent recognition. Remember! The distinction is only relevant if the first Italian woman of your descent was married to a foreigner and had a child who was born before 1948. otherwise, it will always be a case of the father’s descent.

To prove that you are an Italian citizen you will need the following documents: The birth certificate of your Italian ancestor; His or her wedding certificate; (If the wedding took place in Italy) the death certificate of your Italian ancestor in your country; All the birth and wedding certificates of the descendants that are between you and your Italian ancestor.

If you already have information about your Italian ancestors, we can request the documents from the Comune of reference. Contact us to know more at email: contato@lupicidadaniaitaliana.com. If you need to search for documents in Brazil, we can help you by recommending partners.