PLEASE, NOTE:
DECREE LAW N.36/2025 HAS INTRODUCED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE MATTER OF ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP, WHICH ALSO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE POSSIBILITY OF APPLYING FOR THE REGISTRATION IN ITALY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES OF MINORS BORN ABROAD TO ITALIAN PARENTS.
D.L. 36/2025 was converted into law with Law no. 74/2025, entered into force on May 24, 2025.
Decree Law no 36/2025 (Italian Only)
PLEASE NOTE: As of January 11, 2024, the Hague Convention on the Apostille has come into effect in Canada. Canadian Authorities have changed the procedures for authenticating Canadian certificates and documents to be used abroad. In many cases, the double step (Global Affairs Canada or Provincial Service authentication and Consulate legalization) is no longer necessary; instead, the Apostille issued by the relevant Canadian offices will suffice. Click here to know more about the Apostille.
Table of Contents
- General Inquiries
- Fees
- Eligibility
- Reacquisition of citizenship
- Appointments
- Processing Time and Status of my Application
- Naturalization
- Vital Records
- Errors or Discrepancies on Documents
- Translations
- Citizenship for children
- Citizenship by Marriage/Civil Union
- Difference between Passport and Citizenship
- New Citizens – next steps, rights and duties
- Military
- Other Consular Services
- Info on Taxes
1. GENERAL INQUIRIES
Where do I apply for citizenship?
You must apply for citizenship through the Italian Authority in whose jurisdiction you legally reside as proven by official documents (for ex. driving license). Descendants of Italian citizens born in Canada or other foreign countries AND LEGALLY RESIDING in this consular jurisdiction (Ontario, Manitoba and NW Territories) apply for recognition of Italian Citizenship at the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto.
I have a Canadian temporary visa OR I’m in Canada as an undocumented immigrant. Can I apply for Italian citizenship at the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto?
No. The Consulate can only accept citizenship applications from those who are permanent residents in this consular jurisdiction. Holders of temporary visas and undocumented immigrants must apply for citizenship through the Italian Consulate in the country where they are considered legal permanent residents.
Can I submit my application to another Consulate or Italian Authority if they have an earlier appointment, even if I don’t have my legal residence in that jurisdiction?
No.
Does the consulate provide assistance in obtaining documentation?
No. Applicants are solely responsible for requesting all required documentation.
Do I have to speak Italian to be able to apply?
Only if you’re applying for Citizenship by marriage.
2. FEES
Consular fees are updated every 3 months (quarterly) to reflect any changes in the Euro/Dollar exchange rate.
All consular fees, including for applications for citizenship, are posted on this page of our website.
Fees are NOT transferrable and CANNOT be used for any application other than that of the applicant.
Please, note that as of January 11, 2024, the Convention on the Apostille has entered into force in Canada. New Citizenship applicants must apply for an Apostille, issued by the relevant Canadian Authorities. Please, click here to know more about the Apostille.
3. ELIGIBILITY
When a person claims to be of Italian parentage or ancestry but no proof of the fact can be found in Italian registers, it is necessary to provide proof that all ancestors have maintained, and thereby passed on without interruption, their Italian citizenship. The authority legally valid to ascertain these facts depends on the person’s place of residence: for foreign residents, the diplomatic-consular mission in the place of residence; for residents in Italy the “Ufficio di Stato Civile” of the city of residence.
If you are claiming citizenship through an Italian citizen mother or grandmother you must also provide information about your father or grandfather, because Italian citizenship may be affected by the naturalization of their respective spouses.
Who is eligible for Italian citizenship?
Citizenship by descent: As of March 29, 2025, there are new requirements to be considered eligible.
Citizenship by marriage/civil union: spouses of Italian citizens whose marriage/civil union has been correctly registered in ITALY. If the applicant does NOT have minor children with the Italian citizen: must be married to the Italian spouse for at least 3 years (36 months). If the applicant DOES have minor children with the Italian citizen: must be married to the Italian spouse for at least 1 and a half years (18 months).
How do I determine my eligibility?
Descent: As of March 29, 2025, there are new requirements to be considered eligible.
Marriage: see Citizenship through marriage page for all eligibility requirements: Citizenship through marriage/civil union
How many generations back can I pursue citizenship?
As of March 29, 2025, there are new requirements to be considered eligible. You cannot go any further than your grandparents. Keep in mind that the chain of transmission must not be interrupted. You cannot “skip” your father and apply through your grandfather because you know that your father would not be eligible.
Can I apply for Italian citizenship through my mother’s side of the family?
Italian citizenship by descent through MATERNAL ascendants was only possible starting 01 January 1948. As such, the right to citizenship can be passed from a mother to her child AFTER that date. Please, note that, as of March 29, 2025, there are new requirements to be considered eligible. You cannot go any further than your grandparents.
My father (or grandfather) was born in Italy. Can I apply?
As of March 29, 2025, there are new requirements to be considered eligible. Read carefully the information at the link provided.
I’m likely not eligible for citizenship. Is there anything else can I do?
There are a few cases in which a descendant of an Italian citizen who lost his/her Italian citizenship after naturalization might still be eligible, and in such cases the application for citizenship may be submitted IN ITALY after having established residency there for a specific number of years. Please refer to Italian law 05 February 1992, Art. 9, Paragraph 1, letter A and to Decree Law no. 36/2025 for details.
4. REACQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP
Conversion Law No. 74/2025 of Legislative Decree No. 36/2025 amended Article 17, paragraph 1, of Law No. 91/1992, allowing former citizens, including those residing abroad, in certain cases and for a limited period of time (until December 31, 2027), to reacquire Italian citizenship by submitting a specific declaration to be made by the interested party in person before the competent consular officials.
Who can apply for reacquisition?
Applicants for reacquisition must meet both the following requirements:
a. Birth in Italy or residence in Italy for at least 2 consecutive years, and
b. Loss of Italian citizenship as a consequence of one of the following articles of Law no. 555/1912:
b1. Art. 8 paragraph 1 (naturalization as foreign national), or
b2. Art. 8 paragraph 2 (renunciation due to involuntary naturalization), or
b3. Art 12 (minor children living with a parent who had lost their Italian citizenship due to naturalization as foreign national)
Point b means that applicants must have lost their Italian citizenship before August 16, 1992.
I lost my Italian citizenship after August 16, 1992. Can I apply now for reacquisition, in light of the new provisions set forth with Law 74/2025?
No. Please, see the question “Who can apply for reacquisition?”
I have renounced my Italian citizenship before August 16, 1992. Can I apply for reacquisition under the new provisions set forth with Law 74/2025?
Only if you were born in Italy or if you have lived in Italy for at least 2 consecutive years and provided that you renounced the Italian citizenship as a consequence of art. 8 par. 2 of Law 555/1912. If you have renounced it for any other reason, you are not eligible to apply.
What documents do I need to apply for reacquisition?
Documents are listed here: Reacquisition of citizenship. If you fail to submit all the required documents on the day of the appointment, you will not be allowed to submit your voluntary declaration for reacquisition, and you will be given a limited amount of time to complete the application.
What is the fee for a Reacquisition application?
Declarations of Reacquisition are subject to a consular fee, as indicated in art. 7-ter of the Consular Fee Schedule. Fees can only be paid in Canadian dollars, by debit card (no credit, no digital payments), money order/bank draft made out to the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto or in cash. Fees change quarterly. Please, check the Consular Fee for the updated amounts.
Kindly note that you will be asked to pay upfront, regardless of the outcome of the application, and the fee is non-refundable.
After submitting my declaration of reacquisition of citizenship, am I Italian by birth?
No. The declaration of reacquisition has no retroactive effect: the former citizen reacquires Italian citizenship from the day after signing the declaration.
If I reacquire Italian citizenship, will I be able to pass it to my children/grandchildren?
The reacquisition of citizenship DOES NOT allow for the automatic acquisition of citizenship by children, even in case they are minors (obviously this applies to adults as well) and living with the parents, if they reside abroad. For information on the possibility of registering a birth certificate of a minor born abroad to Italian parents or whose grandparents hold Italian citizenship, please read carefully the information at the following links: Registration of a Birth and Acquisition of Citizenship by “benefit of law” (minor children born abroad).
5. APPOINTMENTS
May I have information regarding appointments (how to schedule an appointment, availability, and cancellations)?
The Citizenship Office receives exclusively by appointment through the ONLINE booking system Prenot@mi.
A new booking calendar is opened normally in January and valid until December 31st of the same year. The booking system offer an amount of SLOTS tailored on the handling capabilities of the Citizenship office. Due to a skyrocketed demand, well beyond those capabilities, applicants often report experiencing messages indicating the unavailability of appointments. THE SYSTEM WORKS and renews regularly, on a rolling basis, the offer of new slots.
However, being the slots limited and given the principle “first come first served”, applicants are invited to frequently retry: due to the high demand (recently, 250 attempts DAILY to book an appointment for citizenship by descent on Prenot@mi), finding a slot can be challenging (it may take a few months). Even the related WAITING LIST option is often fully booked.
Check here for more information on the current booking and how to use Prenot@mi.
6. PROCESSING TIMES AND STATUS OF MY APPLICATION
CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT: How long does it take to process my application?
Processing times vary from case to case, and can take more or less time depending on a number of factors pertaining to each single application itself. As such it is not possible to determine how long each application’s processing time will take. Applicants will be notified via email as soon as processing is complete. The ITALIAN LAW establishes that the only obligation is to decide (in the positive or in the negative) on an application WITHIN TWO (2) YEARS (from the date of submission).
How do I check the status of my application?
The Consulate General is unfortunately unable to provide status updates regarding citizenship applications due to the fact that there are thousands of applications currently being processed in the Consular network, and processing times can vary from case to case.
Applicants will be notified via email as soon as their citizenship application has been completed and processed.
CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE: How long does it take to process the application?
Per article 14 of Legislative Decree of 4 October 2018, n. 113 – the maximum processing time for applications for Italian citizenship by marriage is 48 (forty eight) months from the day that the application is accepted. Please, be aware that this kind of application MUST be presented using a specific e-portal (see next question) managed by the Italian Ministry of Interior. The Consulate will just verify ONLINE that the necessary documentation is presented and acceptable (or it will reject the application in view of a new submission), BUT IS NOT DECIDING ON GRANTING CITIZENSHIP.
How do I check the status of my application?
Login to your account on the website of the Ministero dell’Interno and search for “STATO DELLA PRATICA”.
7. NATURALIZATION
What is naturalization?
Naturalization is the act of VOLUNTARILY acquiring the citizenship of another country, either as an adult OR as a child when your parents were naturalized.
Where do I obtain naturalization records?
- Canada: You need to contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Search of Citizenship records
- Other Countries: Please contact the Italian Consulate or Embassy in the pertinent country where the naturalization occurred for information.
What if my Italian born ancestor (parent or grandparent) never naturalized as a Canadian citizen?
In such case(s) you must provide the following: Permanent Resident Card or equivalent document confirming that your Italian ancestor never acquired Canadian citizenship, to be requested from Citizenship and Immigration Canada through a “Search of Citizenship records”.
When requesting documents which relate to females please ensure the request is made both under the maiden and married last names.
8. VITAL RECORDS
How/where do I request a vital record?
- ITALY: you must contact the Ufficio Stato Civile of the Comune in Italy where the vital records were registered. You can typically perform an internet search online and find search results with a link to the website of the Comune with instructions on how to do so. PLEASE NOTE: The Consulate does NOT provide assistance for vital records requests from Italy for those applying for citizenship.
- CANADA BIRTH, MARRIAGE, and DEATH CERTIFICATES: are issued by the Registrar General, for Ontario or Vital Statistics Office, for Manitoba and NW Territories. For information relating to the translation and apostillization or legalization of vital certificates not issued in Ontario, Manitoba and NW Territories please consult the webpage of the Italian Embassy or Consulate of jurisdiction.
- DIVORCES: are issued by the designated Court and must be apostilled by the relevant Canadian Authority.
- OTHER COUNTRIES: please refer to the Vital Records/Stato Civile page of the website of the Italian authority in the country where the documents were issued.
A family member of mine already applied for Italian citizenship by descent. Do I need to re-submit any overlapping documentation that was already submitted with their application?
- If your family member’s application was submitted to this Consulate General in Toronto: you do NOT need to re-submit any overlapping documentation that was already submitted with that family member’s application. However, you will still be required to submit any and all required documentation for yourself and any ascendants that is not already on file at this office.
- If your family member’s application was submitted at another Consulate: Paperwork submitted to other Consular offices CANNOT be utilized by this office in Toronto. As such, if your family member did not apply for citizenship through the Consulate in Toronto you must submit all required documentation specified on our website to this office.
A vital record for one or more of my ascendants cannot be found and/or does not exist. What do I do?
Please obtain a written statement from the vital records office where you requested the record stating that the document does not exist. This statement must also clearly explain WHY the record does not exist. In such a case, please forward a scanned copy of that written statement to toronto.cittadinanza@esteri.it so that we can determine if/how you should proceed.
Can I submit a baptismal certificate?
- ITALIAN RECORDS: If there were no registries in existence at the time of your ancestors’ birth, you will have to submit: a parish baptismal certificate with the authentication of the pastor’s signature by the authorised bishop’s office; a written response from the town hall (Comune) IN ITALY confirming the non-existence of a registry office on the date in question. Otherwise a civil record of birth (birth certificate) is required and must be obtained from the Comune IN ITALY where the birth was registered.
- RECORDS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES: NO – you must provide the civil record of birth (BIRTH CERTIFICATE) of your ancestor (unless the written statement obtained from the foreign vital records office is deemed sufficient by this office along with other supporting documentation).
Which vital records do I need?
Citizenship by DESCENT – Please check the dedicated webpage.
Citizenship by virtue of MARRIAGE/CIVIL UNION – Please check the dedicated webpage.
9. ERRORS OR DISCREPANCIES ON DOCUMENTS
- Errors: any documents containing errors (misspellings, missing names, incorrect dates, incorrect boxes checked, etc.), must be corrected/amended BEFORE submitting those documents to this office.
- Discrepancies Ancestral Documents: discrepancies should be corrected so that the documents reflect the same information on the ancestor’s birth certificate and allow us to identify the ancestor’s information (name, date and place of birth, name of parents) and to understand the line of descent.
- Applicant’s documents: applicant’s vital records (marriages and births of any children under 18) must reflect his/her information (first name, any middle names, last name, and date of birth) as it appears on his/her original birth certificate.
Any discrepancies or errors must be corrected BEFORE submitting documentation. If applicant was ever re-married, and the marriage certificate(s) show married last name, please ensure that the marriage certificate(s) show the applicant’s MAIDEN NAME AT BIRTH to prove that he/she is the same person as the one named on the birth certificate. If they do not, and it is not possible to amend the document, please note this discrepancy at the time of the appointment.
10. TRANSLATIONS
Translation Requirements:
All vital records (certificates of birth, marriage, divorce, death and Canadian naturalization) submitted to this Consulate for processing must be accompanied by their full translation into Italian done by one of the ATIO certified translators listed with this Consulate, just as required for any other document submitted in languages other than Italian.
A Consular fee for the legalization of the translator’s signature may apply. Click here for more information.
11. CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN
If you are applying for Italian citizenship and you have minor children:
Please, see the answer to the following point.
If you have been granted citizenship already
Children UNDER 18 YEARS OLD: Please, note that Decree Law no. 36/2025, entered into force on March 29, 2025, has introduced significant changes to the matter of Italian citizenship, which also have an impact on the possibility of applying for the registration in Italy of birth certificates of minors born to Italian parents.
Please, see the information available at this link: Registration of a Birth .
If your case does not qualify as a “direct transmission” of citizenship, please visit also this page: Acquisition of Citizenship by “benefit of law” (minor children born abroad)
Children Over 18 Years Old:
As a rule of thumb, children over 18 years old whose birth certificates were NOT registered in Italy by their Italian parent before March 28, 2025 and before they turned 18, must schedule an appointment for recognition of Italian citizenship through the Italian Authority in whose jurisdiction they reside.
There is a limited exception, until May 31, 2026, for those who were still underage (not yet 18 years old) on May 24, 2025, provided that they qualify according to the new requirements set forth by Decree Law no. 36/2025: Acquisition of Citizenship by “benefit of law” (minor children born abroad). Please note that, if your child becomes Italian through a Declaration of Intent, he/she will not be Italian by birth. Read carefully the information outlined at the link above.
12. CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE/CIVIL UNION
Can I apply for Italian citizenship if I am married to/in a civil union with an Italian citizen?
YES – Please refer to the Citizenship by Marriage/Civil Union page for all information, requirements, and instructions on how to apply
I’m in a same-sex marriage. Can I apply for Italian citizenship by marriage?
YES – Same-sex spouses of Italian citizens can apply for citizenship by marriage/civil union. Please refer to the Citizenship by Marriage/Civil Union page for all information, requirements, and instructions on how to apply
13. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSPORT AND CITIZENSHIP
An Italian passport is an IDENTITY and TRAVEL DOCUMENT and can be issued to a person who is ALREADY AN ITALIAN CITIZEN. As such, any passport requests and appointments must be submitted/scheduled AFTER you receive confirmation that your Italian citizenship has been processed AND confirmed. For further information, please, visit the passport page of our website AFTER your citizenship has been confirmed.
14. MILITARY
Are male citizens of Italy required to serve in the Italian military?
No.
15. NEW CITIZENS – NEXT STEPS, RIGHTS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Please note that once a citizenship application has been processed and completed, this citizenship department is unable to reply to requests concerning other consular services. New citizens with questions regarding items listed below and/or other consular services should contact the appropriate consular department directly.
CREATE YOUR ONLINE CONSULAR ACCOUNT IN THE FAST-IT ONLINE PORTAL
Through this account you will be able to access your information on file at the Consulate to verify that all your information is correct and/or up-to-date. To set up your Fast-It account visit https://serviziconsolarionline.esteri.it/ScoFE/index.sco
IMPORTANT:
First and middle names must be entered in to the “NOME” field and be EXACTLY AS THEY APPEAR ON THE PERSON’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Last name(s) must be entered in the corresponding “COGNOME” field and should be EXACTLY AS THEY APPEAR ON THE PERSON’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
DATES must be entered in the DAY / MONTH / YEAR format
AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all’Estero – Registry of Italians Residing Abroad)
All Italian citizens residing outside of Italy for at least 1 year are REQUIRED to be registered in AIRE. New citizens do NOT need to submit an AIRE registration to this Consulate in Toronto because the initial AIRE registration request was submitted by the Consulate when their citizenship was processed.
IF YOU MOVE/CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS: any changes in address, however, must be promptly submitted to the Consulate via the Fast-It online portal within 90 days of the move. Please refer to the Anagrafe/AIRE page for information regarding AIRE:
VITAL RECORDS / STATO CIVILE
By law Italian citizens must record the following with the Italian Consulate in whose jurisdiction they reside:
- Any and all changes in marital status (marriages, divorces, or being widowed);
- Any and all births of children under 18 years old who were NOT included in the original citizenship application;
- Any and all deaths of any family member who hold Italian citizenship whose death has not been recorded in Italy;
Visit the vital records page for more information:Civil Registry (Vital Records)
NAME CHANGES BY MARRIAGE – if you marry and take your spouse’s last name, your Italian documents will NOT show your married name and will continue to show your MAIDEN NAME AT BIRTH. Please note: Passports will show maiden last name/birth last name on the main page, however it is possible to add the married name to a separate page of the passport. Please contact the passport office for clarification on this procedure.
BY WAY OF JUDICIAL ORDER – if you legally changed your name via a court order AFTER your citizenship was recognized, and you wish for your new name to be recorded and used in Italy, please contact toronto.anagrafe@esteri.it for more information.
PASSPORT APPLICATION
When can I schedule an appointment to apply for a passport? AFTER you receive the email from the citizenship confirming that your citizenship was processed and recognized AND after you have created your account in Fast-It.
ELECTIONS/VOTING
IMPORTANT: Voter eligibility is determined by the electoral offices of each citizen’s Comune where they are registered in AIRE. Please note that if you received confirmation of your citizenship in the past 6-12 months, it is possible that the Electoral office of your Comune has not yet updated their voter lists with new citizens.
If there are any upcoming elections and you do not receive your electoral materials in the mail, please contact the elections office of this Consulate so we can verify your voter status.
Any citizens whose names are not yet enrolled in the voter lists can only vote in an election following authorization from elections office of their Comune AIRE.
General elections and referendum – citizens registered in AIRE and enrolled in the voter lists will be able to vote by mail.
All electoral materials will be sent to eligible citizens to the address that is recorded in the electoral offices of his/her Comune AIRE.
Information regarding any elections will be posted on the home-page of this Consulate. Regional, communal, and European elections – Citizens who reside in Canada and wish to participate in these elections can only do so by voting in person at designated polling places in their Comune AIRE in Italy.
Citizens will typically be notified via a letter or a postcard sent directly from the Elections office of the Comune where they are registered in AIRE.
16. OTHER CONSULAR SERVICES
See the complete list of consular services on the following page: Servizi per il cittadino italiano
17. TAXES
Are dual citizens subject to any taxes in Italy? Italian Citizens residing abroad and correctly registered in AIRE do NOT have to pay taxes in Italy on income earned outside of Italy, but may still be required to pay taxes on income generated within Italy. Please refer to the website of the Agenzia delle Entrate (https://agenziaentrate.gov.it) for more information about taxation in Italy and/or contact a tax professional in Italy. Citizens must comply, however, with taxation laws in their State and Country of residence.
FOR ALL OTHER INQUIRIES NOT ANSWERED ON THE WEBSITE please contact toronto.cittadinanza@esteri.it.