Jure Sanguinis
According to Wikipedia, "Possibly alone in this respect, [Italy] bestows citizenship jure sanguinis. There is no limit of generations for the citizenship via blood, but the Italian ancestor born in Italian territories before 1861 had to die after 1861 anywhere (in Italian territory or abroad) but without losing the Italian citizenship before death in order to being able to continue the jure sanguinis chain. This is required because 1861 is the year that the Unification of the Italian territory took place. Another constraint is that each descendant of the ancestor through whom citizenship is claimed jure sanguinis can pass on citizenship only if they were a citizen at the time of the birth of the person to whom they are passing it. So, if one person in the chain renounces or otherwise loses their Italian citizenship, then has a child, that child is not an Italian citizen jure sanguinis. A further constraint is that until January 1, 1948, Italian law did not permit women to pass on citizenship. Persons born before that date are not Italian citizens jure sanguinis if their line of descent from an Italian citizen depends on a female at some point."
My great-grandfather, Angelo Palmeri, was born in Serradifalco, Sicily, on 27 Jan 1886. He immigrated to the United States on 1 May 1909. He wife, Maria Giambrone, followed soon after, arriving at Ellis Island on 24 Jun 1910. My grandfather, Giuseppe (Joseph) Palmeri, was born in Buffalo, NY, on 2 Oct 1911. Because my great-grandfather was still an Italian citizen when my grandfather was born, and because my grandfather was born in the United States, that makes my grandfather a dual citizen of the United States and Italy. My grandfather never renounced his Italian citizenship because he acquired US citizenship by his birth on US soil. My great-grandfather did renounce his Italian citizenship when he became a US citizen, but because that was after my grandfather was born, that had no bearing on my grandfather's Italian citizenship. My father is an Italian citizen jure sanguinis (by blood) from his father, which means that my two boys and I are also Italian citizens jure sanguinis.
The required documentation is rather massive. This list is copied from myitalianfamily, but the same list can be found on numerous web sites, including Italian consular pages. Here is another page showing the categories for qualifying for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis:
http://italiancitizenship.freeforums.org/qualifications-for-italian-dual-citizenship-through-ancestry-t74.html
It's also not cheap. Here is a running total of direct costs so far: $1799
On top of that are the numerous monthly subscriptions to ancestry.com. I've probably had at least 6 months of subscriptions over the past few years. This was especially important for finding my great-grandparents marriage in Pennsylvania. At $34.95 a month that adds on this additional amount: $291
So the grand total so far is about: $2090
The process:
– 24 Dec 2012 passport costs for me, Jordin, and Matthew ($303)
– 20 Feb 2012 emailed the Italian consulate asking how to make an appointment
– 22 Feb 2012 made appointment at Detroit Consulate for 19 Mar 2012 at 11am
– 22 Feb 2012 made flight reservations to Detroit, $102
– 22 Feb 2012 made rental car, $29, and hotel, $132, reservations in Detroit
– 19 Mar 2012 meeting at Detroit consulate
– 18 Apr 2012 legalized, authenticated BC and MC mailed to Detroit Consulate
– 24 May 2012 citizenship recognized by Detroit Consulate
– 29 May 2012 citizenship letter received
– 17 Sep 2012 birth certificates and marriage certificate received from Serradifalco, Sicily
List of things to bring to the consulate meeting:
– she does not need copies (keep them aside in my box) *** DONE ***
– all documents listed below *** DONE ***
– 2 copies of all documents, all apostilles, and all translations *** DONE ***
– passport for me and my two children *** DONE ***
– copy of everyone's passports *** DONE ***
– my children can stay home *** DONE ***
– my driver's license from TN *** DONE ***
– copy of my driver's license *** DONE ***
– original plus copy of recent utility bill *** DONE ***
– original plus copy of another utility bill *** DONE ***
[1] YOUR PATERNAL (OR MATERNAL) GREAT GRANDFATHER'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE FROM ITALY (the birth certificate must be either in "formato internazionale", or in "estratto per riassunto" showing his father and mother's names).
28 Sep 2011 ordered for $50 from www.myitalianfamily.com
26 Oct 2011 Family History Center microfilms for Atti di Nasciti from Serradifalco rented, $6 total
27 Oct 2011 found my great-grandfather's birth record from Serradifalco on microfilm
30 Oct 2011 sent a letter myself to Commune di Serradifalco
8 Dec 2011 sent yet another letter to Commune di Serradifalco, included an envelope and an international return coupon ($5), and a copy of the microfilm records from the LDS church showing his atti de nascita
31 Dec 2011 birth certificate arrives today, listing my great-grandfather, correctly, as Angelo Palmeri
31 Dec 2011 photocopy made
2 Jan 2012 sent letter to Commue di Serradifalco asking them to certify that no one named "Angelo Palmieri" was born on the same date
19 Jan 2012 finally received (late) birth certificate from www.myitalianfamily.com (4 months)
18 Feb 2012 received letter from Commune di Serradifalco stating that no one named "Angelo Palmieri" was born on the same date
19 Mar 2012 accepted by Detroit consulate
*** DONE ***
[2] YOUR PATERNAL (OR MATERNAL) GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE
1 Oct 2011 letter sent to Commune di Serradifalco with 5 Euro note
27 Oct 2011 found my great-grandmother's birth record from Serradifalco on microfilm
30 Oct 2011 sent another letter to Commune di Serradifalco
8 Dec 2011 sent yet another letter to Commune di Serradifalco, included an envelope and an international return coupon ($5), and a copy of the microfilm records from the LDS church showing her atti de nascita
31 Dec 2011 birth certificate arrives today
31 Dec 2011 photocopy made
*** DONE ***
[3] YOUR PATERNAL GREAT GRANDPARENTS' MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (if the marriage took place in Italy, follow the procedure above). If it took place in the U.S.A., you must obtain a "certified copy" of the license and certificate and an APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.
8 Oct 2011 request for Serradifalco LDS microfilm, Matrimoni 1887-1910 FHL INTL Film 1964312 for $6
29 Oct 2011 submitted request to NY Department of Health for Marriage Certificate (with notarized affidavit), $30
19 Nov 2011 received NO RECORD CERTIFICATION from NY State Department of Health
20 Nov 2011 need to search City of Buffalo, Pennsylvania, and Serradifalco for possible records of marriage
20 Nov 2011 asked Armstrong County how to to request a search of their marriage records by email and by letter
28 Nov 2011 sent official search request to Armstrong County, $5 for search, plus $7.50 for certificate if found
28 Nov 2011 sent letter to Holy Cross RC Church in Buffalo requesting a search of their marriage records
28 Nov 2011 sent letter to Holy Angels RC Church in Buffalo requesting a search of their marriage records
9 Dec 2011 emailed St. Joseph's RC Church in Buffalo requesting a search of their marriage records
10 Dec 2011 sent letter plus $10 to St. Anthony's RC Church in Buffalo requesting a search of their marriage records
14 Dec 2011 received email from Holy Cross Church in Buffalo stating that after a (gracious) search they discovered that my great-grandparents were born in Yatesboro, Pennsylvania in Saint Mary Mother of God Church on November 11, 1910, a church record of the marriage is being mailed
14 Dec 2011 emailed the person in Armstrong County to use that date in their search for the official marriage record
15 Dec 2011 received marriage certificate and notarized letter from Armstrong County
24 Dec 2011 apostille request send, $15
24 Dec 2011 sent $25 donation to Holy Cross Church in Buffalo as a token for their searches
06 Jan 2012 apostille received from Pennsylvania
18 Feb 2012 sent to get translated
17 Mar 2012 translations arrive
19 Mar 2012 accepted by Detroit consulate
21 Mar 2012 translation paid, $20
*** DONE ***
[4] YOUR PATERNAL (OR MATERNAL) GREAT GRANDFATHER'S CERTIFICATE OF NATURALIZATION or his Italian passport and permanent resident card ("green card").
If the above is not available, you must request the following:
[4A] A statement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, P.O.Box 648010, Lee's Summit, MO 64064-8010 AND from the County in which he resided. The statement must show his full name (and any other names he went by on any official documents), place of birth and date of birth, date of the naturalization, certificate number (or, if a legal alien, his permanent resident card number).
29 Sep 2011 request sent to USCIS Genealogy Program via email and fax for Angelo Palmeri
30 Sep 2011 Index Search Request to http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy for $20 for Angelo Palmeri
15 Oct 2011 request returned unfilled with information for email and fax request
30 Oct 2011 contacted the NY office of the National Archives
31 Oct 2011 received "no matching index" letter (33 day wait)
29 Nov 2011 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service reports they now found my great-grandfather's naturalization record
29 Nov 2011 request copy of naturalization record for $20
24 Dec 2011 naturalization papers arrive
31 Dec 2011 photocopy made
7 Jan 2012 asked USCIS to send a latter stating that no one named "Angelo Palmeri" born 27 Jan 1886 was naturalized since his naturalization documents use the misspelled "Angelo Palmieri" last name
15 Jan 2012 submitted a new search request to USCIS to receive a letter stating that no one named "Angelo Palmeri" born 27 Jan 1886 in Serradifalco, Italy was ever naturalized ($20)
15 Jan 2012 sending letter to USCIS chief asking for an a.k.a letter to link the naturalization documents for my great-grandfather to his birth and death certificates
29 Jan 2012 received "no matching index" letter from USCIS for "Angelo Palmeri" (with the correct spelling)
6 Feb 2012 talked with someone from USCIS today and they said they would mail me a letter that Angelo Palmeri and Angelo Palmieri are one and the same person
10 Feb 2012 received "one-and-the-same" letter from USCIS
19 Mar 2012 accepted by Detroit consulate
*** DONE ***
[4B] If the above-mentioned U.S. authorities return a statement of "no record", you must request from the National Archives (www.archives.gov) a full search under his name and nicknames, possible dates of birth which he may have declared, for a certified copy of his "first" and/or "final papers", that is, the "declaration of intention" and "petition for naturalization". If he was naturalized the "final papers" will also show the date and number of his naturalization.
31 Oct 2011 sent letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for official "no record" letter
31 Oct 2011 NARA request to search naturalization records for Angelo Palmeri, $22.50
*** DONE ***
[4C] If the record is still negative, you need to request the National Archives a certified copy of the census report dating after your birth. In the cases covered by categories 2, 3, 4 and 5 the census report must of course be dated accordingly – i.e. covering the period of the Italian born ascendant's child's birth.
29 Oct 2011 To be complete, I got together 1910, 1920, 1930 Census records (unofficial) and immigration manifests. I will only need certified copies if they are unable to find my great-grandfather's naturalization records
31 Oct 2011 NARA request for immigration record for Angelo Palmeri $40
31 Oct 2011 NARA request for 1910 Census for Angelo Palmeri $40
31 Oct 2011 NARA request for 1920 Census for Angelo Palmeri $40
31 Oct 2011 NARA request for 1930 Census for Angelo Palmeri $40
2 Nov 2011 I contacted Armstrong County (PA), Erie County (NY), and New York State, to ask about the process to issue a search of court records to look for possible county or state court naturalization
2 Nov 2011 Erie County Clerk Responds – they can do a search (at $5 per every two years plus $1 per page plus $5 certification) if NARA search turns up empty – must include "no record found" from NARA and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
3 Nov 2011 also ordered Social Security record to check spelling of "Palmeri" by Angelo Palmeri, $27
10 Nov 2011 NARA immigration record for Angelo Palmeri received (11 day wait)
11 Nov 2011 Social Security record received (8 day wait)
20 Nov 2011 sent letter to Armstrong County asking how to request a records search
25 Nov 2011 NARA 1910 Census for Angelo Palmeri received (26 day wait)
25 Nov 2011 NARA 1920 Census for Angelo Palmeri received (26 day wait)
25 Nov 2011 NARA 1930 Census for Angelo Palmeri received (26 day wait)
*** DONE ***
[5] YOUR PATERNAL (OR MATERNAL) GRANDFATHER'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.
1 Nov 2011 submitted request to NY Department of Health for Birth Certificate (with notarized affidavit), $30
19 Nov 2011 request denied, even though they kept my $30, require a court order to obtain his birth certificate and it must be from the City of Buffalo (no NYS records prior to 1915)
11 Jan 2012 draft Petition and Proposed Order to release his birth certificate
9 Feb 2012 my aunt found a copy of my grandfather's birth certificate that looks official
12 Feb 2012 writing courts and clerks to find out how to search for an official name change from "Palmieri" to "Palmeri"
13 Feb 2012 received copy of my grandfather's birth certificate
13 Feb 2012 sending our for certification by Erie County, $3, and apostille by New York State, $10
14 Feb 2012 worked on revised court order to declare one-and-the same for grandfather and great-grandfather despite name misspellings
18 Feb 2012 sent to get translated
24 Feb 2012 NY State calls for other information, but it looks like they will be apostilling the birth certificate
1 Mar 2012 apostille arrives for birth certificate
17 Mar 2012 translation arrives
19 Mar 2012 accepted by Detroit consulate
21 Mar 2012 translation paid, $20
*** DONE ***
[6] YOUR PATERNAL (OR MATERNAL) GRANDMOTHER'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE
1 Oct 2011 letter sent to Commune di Montemaggiore Belsito with 5 Euro note
30 Oct 2011 sent another letter to Commune di Montemaggiore Belsito
31 Oct 2011 birth certificate received (30 day wait)
31 Dec 2011 photocopy made
*** DONE ***
[7] YOUR PATERNAL (OR MATERNAL) GRANDPARENTS' MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.
30 Oct 2011 asked my dad to ask his sister (who has power of attorney for my grandmother) to order the marriage certificate, $30
24 Dec 2011 asked my dad to see if his mother can order it herself
9 Feb 2012 my dad and aunt are going to try to get a copy of their marriage certificate today, $30
10 Feb 2012 writing churches to see if they have any record of my grandparents' marriage
18 Feb 2012 mailed request for genealogical copy of their marriage certificate, $22
5 Mar 2012 no marriage record found at Holy Angels, Holy Cross, St. Anthony's, or Blessed Sacrament churches in Buffalo
5 Mar 2012 writing more churches to see if they have any record of my grandparents' marriage
10 Mar 2012 received a "no record found" certificate from the City of Buffalo
10 Mar 2012 writing various city clerks around Buffalo to see if my grandparents might have been married elsewhere
19 Mar 2012 "no record found" accepted by Detroit consulate
19 Mar 2012 marriage record arrives from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin church after my meeting
5 Apr 2012 marriage certificate arrives from the City of Buffalo after I re-requested a search to be done
6 Apr 2012 marriage certificate arrives from NY State
*** DONE ***
[8] YOUR FATHER'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.
29 Oct 2011 my dad is getting his birth certificate from NY State, $30
18 Dec 2011 found my father's birth certificate at his house
24 Dec 2011 submitted to get certified by Erie County, $3, and apostilled by NY State, $10, plus postage and insurance, $40
9 Jan 2012 apostille arrives
9 Jan 2012 photocopy made
18 Feb 2012 sent to get translated
17 Mar 2012 translation arrives
19 Mar 2012 accepted by Detroit consulate
21 Mar 2012 translation paid, $20
*** DONE ***
[9] YOUR MOTHER'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian. DEPENDING IF YOU ARE APPLYING THROUGH YOUR MATERNAL OR PATERNAL LINE
29 Oct 2011 seeing if I can actually request my mother's birth certificate – if I can, I can request other certificates
29 Oct 2011 sending a request to NY State with a notarized affidavit to see if they will release her birth certificate, $30
19 Nov 2011 request denied, even though they kept my $30, must obtain court order to receive her birth certificate
18 Dec 2011 found my mother's birth certificate with my dad, perhaps a court order will not be necessary
24 Dec 2011 send birth certificate to get certified by Erie County, $3, and apostilled by NY State, $10
9 Jan 2012 aposttile arrives
9 Jan 2012 photocopy made
*** DONE ***
[10] YOUR PARENTS' MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.
29 Oct 2011 my dad is getting his marriage certificate from NY State, $30
18 Dec 2011 found a short-form of their marriage certificate, but need to find a long-form version
20 Dec 2011 obtained long-form marriage certificate
24 Dec 2011 send to be certified by Erie County, $3, and then apostilled by NY State, $10
9 Jan 2012 apostille arrives
9 Jan 2012 photocopy made
18 Feb 2012 sent for translation
22 Mar 2012 translation arrives
19 Mar 2012 accepted by Detroit consulate
21 Mar 2012 translation paid, $20
*** DONE ***
[11] YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.
29 Sep 2011 original birth certificate located in our files
17 Oct 2011 need to order a long-form birth certificate from Buffalo for $10
28 Oct 2011 long-form birth certificate arrives
29 Oct 2011 sending a request to NY State for an apostille for $10
12 Nov 2011 request for apostille returned because they require an Erie County Clerk certification (14 day wait)
14 Nov 2011 request to Erie County Clerk to sign and certify our birth certificates for $3
22 Nov 2011 request returned because I forgot to include a check, resent
3 Dec 2011 apostille received from NY State
9 Jan 2012 photocopy made
18 Feb 2012 sent for translation
17 Mar 2012 translation arrives
19 Mar 2012 Italian consulate informs me that it needs to be authenticated by the NY consulate
20 Mar 2012 mailed my birth and marriage certificate for legalization ($44 postage for both)
21 Mar 2012 translation paid, $20
17 Apr 2012 authentication/legalization arrive from NY Consulate ($12.50)
18 Apr 2012 authentication/legalization sent to Detroit Consulate ($44 postage for both)
*** DONE ***
[12] YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (if applicable) (with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.) If your marriage certificate lacks information such as dates and places of birth, you must also obtain a certified copy of the marriage application/license.
29 Sep 2011 original marriage certificate located in our files
29 Oct 2011 discovered that we did not have our official marriage certificate
29 Oct 2011 order official marriage certificate for $30 from NY State
5 Dec 2011 official marriage certificate arrives from NY State
5 Dec 2011 submitted to NY State for apostile, $10
24 Dec 2011 apostille arrives
9 Jan 2012 photocopy made
18 Feb 2012 sent for translation
17 Mar 2012 translation arrives
19 Mar 2012 Italian consulate informs me that it needs to be authenticated by the NY consulate
20 Mar 2012 mailed my birth and marriage certificate for legalization ($44 postage for both)
21 Mar 2012 translation paid, $20
17 Apr 2012 authentication/legalization arrive from NY Consulate ($12.50)
18 Apr 2012 authentication/legalization sent to Detroit Consulate ($44 postage for both)
*** DONE ***
[13] YOUR DIVORCE DECREE/CERTIFICATE (if applicable) (with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.) The divorce decree must also include the "certificate of no appeal".
N/A
[14] YOUR SPOUSE'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE (if applicable)
29 Sep 2011 original birth certificate located in our files
17 Oct 2011 need to order a long-form birth certificate from Buffalo for $10
28 Oct 2011 long-form birth certificate arrives
29 Oct 2011 sending a request to NY State for apostille for $10
12 Nov 2011 request for apostille returned because they require an Erie County Clerk certification (14 day wait)
14 Nov 2011 request to Erie County Clerk to sign and certify our birth certificates for $3
22 Nov 2011 request returned because I forgot to include a check, resent
3 Dec 2011 apostille received from NY State
9 Jan 2012 photocopy made
*** DONE ***
[15] BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR ALL YOUR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN (if applicable) (with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian.)
29 Sep 2011 original long-form birth certificates located in our files
14 Oct 2011 apostilles obtained from TN Secretary of State for $2 each (0 day wait)
9 Jan 2012 photocopy made
18 Feb 2012 sent for translation
17 Mar 2012 translations arrive
19 Mar 2012 authenticated by Detroit consulate
19 Mar 2012 accepted by Detroit consulate
21 Mar 2012 translations paid, $30
*** DONE ***
[16] YOUR APPLICATION AND YOUR DECLARATIONS THAT YOU AND YOUR ASCENDANT NEVER RENOUNCED ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BEFORE ANY ITALIAN AUTHORITY, LISTING ALL THE PLACES OF RESIDENCE (see attachments (PDF): 2A – 2B)
I read online that some consulates require a notarized statement from all living people in the line that they never renounced their citizenship. I also read to include copies IDs from anyone currently alive. I should also include a notarized letter than I never renounced my Italian citizenship as well. I probably need to get these translated as well.
29 Oct 2011 sent my dad a form to get notarized that he never has renounced his Italian Citizenship
29 Oct 2011 doing the same for me (done)
20 Dec 2011 notarized form completed by my dad
21 Dec 2011 photocopies made
*** DONE ***
[17] DEATH CERTIFICATE/S RELATING TO ITALIAN BORN ASCENDANTS ONLY – (with APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State in which it was issued + TRANSLATION to Italian IF FOR YOUR FATHER OR GRANDFATHER).
13 Oct 2011 phone request for death certificate for Angelo Palmeri through vitalcheck.com denied to my father
15 Oct 2011 new request for death certificate for Angelo Palmeri mailed to NYS vital records with $45 check
28 Oct 2011 dad needs to resend notarized request back to NYS Department of Health
24 Dec 2011 obtained official death certificate for my mother, probably not needed
27 Dec 2011 sent back request, along with notarized form, for great-grandfather's death certificate via my dad
7 Jan 2012 asked my dad to request a copy of his dad's death certificate
14 Jan 2012 death certificate for my great-grandfather received
14 Jan 2012 apostille request sent for my great-grandfather's death certificate, $10
29 Jan 2012 received apostille for great-grandfather's death certificate
9 Feb 2012 my aunt found a copy of my grandfather's death certificate that looks official
10 Feb 2012 mailing request for my great-grandmother's death certificate, $30
13 Feb 2012 received copy of my grandfather's birth certificate
13 Feb 2012 sending out grandfather's death certificate for certification by Erie County, $3, and apostille by New York State, $10
18 Feb 2012 sent Angelo Palmeri death certificate for translation
18 Feb 2012 sent Joseph Palmeri death certificate for translation
24 Feb 2012 NY State calls for more information, but they are apostilling the death certificate
1 Mar 2012 apostille arrives for my grandfather's birth certificate
19 Mar 2012 accepts grandfather's death certificate in lieu of marriage certificate
21 Mar 2012 translations paid, $40
30 Mar 2012 death certificate for great-grandmother arrives from New York
*** DONE ***
[18] YOUR PATERNAL (OR MATERNAL) GREAT-GRANDFATHER'S CERTIFICATE OF ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP FROM ITALY, also known as a certificato di cittadinanza italiana (Note: Most Italian embassies and consulates do NOT require this. Please check with the Italian Consulate of the State where you reside.)
All US certificates must be in "CERTIFIED COPY" a.k.a. "LONG FORM" or "FULL FORM" Certificates reporting only the "County" of birth can not be accepted. You must request the Vital Statistics Authority to state the CITY OF BIRTH. For more information please visit our page of Addresses of Vital Records Offices.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CATEGORIES (please read very carefully):
Birth, Marriage, Divorce certificates in other languages than Italian, relating to Italian born spouses and to you and your minor children must be translated into Italian. Documents that do not need to be translated into Italian are those relating to the "non-Italian" side, death certificates relating to the Italian side, marriage, birth and divorce relating to "intermediate" ancestors who are not applying for citizenship and the U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or any statement releasing information on the naturalization status of the ancestor. APOSTILLE do not need to be translated.
07 Oct 2011 Paid phone questions about the dual citizenship process costs about $30
Documents issued in Countries other than U.S.A. or Italy must comply with the local regulations on the legalization of document, they must be legalized in the Country of issue and must be accompanied by a translation into Italian. To find out how a document should be legalized in its country of origin you may contact the competent Italian Consulate/Embassy. A list of all Italian Consulate/Embassies abroad is available at www.esteri.it.
All of my documentation, if issued in other States, must be presented to this office, duly certified by the Consulate in the jurisdiction where the certificates were issued. The Detroit Consulate notes: Vital statistics certificates (birth, marriage, death, etc.) that occurred in the United States of America in relation to Italian citizens must be registered at the City Halls in Italy. The registration will be processed by the Consular Offices. In order to do so the certificates must be submitted to the Consular Office that has jurisdiction over the State in which the events occurred, in certified copies issued by the competent County Clerk Office and legalized with the “Apostille”. Simple photocopies or certified copies issued by the local registrar are not valid for registration in Italy.
Note from someone else on getting documents authenticated: I went through Detroit and had to have documents authenticated in both NY and Newark. I will post this evening in Templates the letter, release and instructions. In most cases the documents are sent to the citizenship department of the consulate, however some are done by the notary and some by the legal departments. The fee currently is $8.10 per document (fee changes quarterly) and is based on art. 71 A. NY took approximately 2 months to return my documents. Philly has a faster turn around, but I don't know the specifics. NY will not process documents while you wait if you deliver them personally, Philly will do them while you wait. The documents must be apostilled and translated.
Note on translations: Some consulates have a list of approved translators. Detroit does not seem to. But if I need to get the forms duly certified by the NY Consulate then I probably need to use a NY-approved translator.
DISCREPANCIES:
Check all documents word by word to make sure that there are no discrepancies or changes in the names, last names, dates and places of birth. All documents issued outside Italy must bear the name or family name of the interested parties exactly as issued on the original Italian birth certificate; eg. (Brambilla and not Brimbilla) All variation or errors must be corrected with an official "affidavit to amend a record" to be requested from the Vital Statistics Office that issued the document or with other appropriate official document. Please have a list of all the discrepancies that you found in the documents. This is required for the Citizenship Office to expedite your request.
Other things to bring along and expectations for things that might happen (based on experiences of others):
– driver license and US passports for me and my children
– "At the end of that appointment, I was asked to fill out the A.I.R.E, and did so."
– bring copies of utility statements and bank statement to prove residency so that the consulate knows that you should indeed go through them an not another consulate
– will need to get NY documents authenticated by the Italian consulate in NYC "If your father is applying then yes you will need to authenticate his documents (BC & MC). If he is not then don't bother. You do not have to go to the NY Consulate, what I was trying to say was that the apostille process should be done in person if you can and then if you are in NY just drop off the docs at the Consulate. … NY will NOT process them while you wait so you will have to leave a SASE for them to return your authenticated docs. You do not need an appointment to walk in the docs, you can drop them off between 9 and 2. … My experience with Detroit has been very good, although I am not finished yet. My documents were not authenticated by NY at the time of my appointment. Giuseppe and Joseph will not be an issue. I can't say what will happen with a last name misspelling, it really depends on how off it is. If there is a clear trail from one document to the next when you look at all of the docs together then you should be okay. I would go with what you have and let them make the call."