What is a consulate?
A consulate represents a nation in a foreign country and is responsible for performing services for the citizens of the nation it represents. Furthermore, consulates can perform certain services for the citizens of the country where the consulate is located. The functions of a consulate involve issuing visas and passports, passport renewals, and, as this article will address, processing citizenship by descent applications. A consul general leads a consulate and directs the work of the public officials which work in the deferent offices of the consulate.
What is an embassy?
An embassy is larger than a consulate and its purpose is to serve as a permanent diplomatic mission. An embassy is responsible for representing the nation and advocating and preserving the rights of its citizens abroad. An ambassador leads an embassy.
The role of a consulate when making an application for citizenship
The consulate is pivotal in all citizenship by descent applications. Citizenship by descent means citizenship as a birthright (“right of blood”, based on the principle of jure sanguinis) that has been passed on through Italian-born ancestors. Italian consulates are also responsible for receiving citizenship by marriage applications.Those who live outside of Italy, can apply at an Italian consulate in the country where they reside in order to make an application.
Italian consulates in the U.S.
Italian consulates in the U.S. serve the very important function of processing applications for citizenship by descent. It is first important to identify which consulate has jurisdiction over where you reside, as this is where you will need to submit an application. It is also required that you attend an appointment at the consulate in order to present your forms and vital records in the original. For a comprehensive list of Italian consulates see here.
Making an appointment at the consulate
Waiting times for citizenship appointments can be rather long, and it is advised that you make an appointment early on, as it will give you time to prepare and gather your documentation/vital records.
In order to make an appointment you will need to create an account through https://prenotami.esteri.it, which is the online booking system used by consulates.
To create an account you must provide information, as well as ID, email address and proof of address, to evidence you are applying at the consulate that has jurisdiction where you reside.
Following registration, you can access your online account and book an appointment. Consulates have varying methods for releasing appointment slots, so refer to the specific guidelines of the consulate to which you will apply.
Once you have made an appointment, the consulate will contact you and provide you with instructions regarding next steps and the submission of your application.
For more information about booking an appointment please see a related article here. Booking an appointment is not necessary to apply for citizenship by marriage as the application is submitted online through the website of the Ministry of Interior. Once the application is submitted the consulate contacts the applicant to schedule a special appointment during which all the original documents need to be submitted.
Vital records and documents needed to apply for citizenship by descent
Some examples of these records will be birth, marriage and death (where applicable) certificates. It is the role of the consulate to see all related documentation and vital records pertaining to the applicant’s ancestor/s in the direct line of descent. However, some consulates may also require the vital records of the respective spouse of the ancestor, and therefore it is important to check the guidelines of the consulate to which you apply. Additionally, the consulate will need to see evidence that your ancestor was never naturalized, or was naturalized. Consulates have many stipulations regarding how the documentation needs to be presented, all must have attached apostilles and be translated into Italian.
For more information regarding what vital records consulates require, please see here.
Attending an appointment at the consulate
Attending an appointment at the consulate is fundamental in your citizenship by descent application, as the consulate must verify your vital records and certify your signatures on each application forms. This is to validate your claim to Italian citizenship by confirming your direct lineage to your Italian ancestor. Only the person filing their claim can attend the appointment, and during the appointment the consular clerk will need to see all your vital records and related documentation in support of your application. In respect of language, speaking Italian is not a legal requirement for citizenship by descent applications, so you are not expected to speak Italian. The clerks at the consulate will conduct the meeting in English. If applying at a consulate in a non-English speaking country, it is likely the interview will be conducted in the native tongue spoken there. With the above considered, it is always advisable to check the website of the consulate to which you will be applying for instructions and details regarding the appointment.
Cost of an application made via the consulate
To make an appointment at the consulate for recognition of your claim for Italian citizenship by descent is free, however the cost to file an application is €300. You will also be required to pay the application fee in the appointment, and payment must be made in U.S. dollars. In general, the fee is paid via a money order or cashier’s cheque. Exchange rates change every three months, so there will be variations. It is advised to refer to the consulate website for information on fees.
Length of application process
The timeframe allocated to consulates to carry out the processing of a citizenship by descent application is up to 24 months. This will vary depending on the consulate through which you apply, as some consulates have fewer applications to manage, and therefore processing times will be faster.
In addition to this, if there are discrepancies or anomalies in your application or vital records the consulate will contact you and ask for more information, and this will obviously increase the timeframe and length of the process.
What happens after you apply?
Once your application has been successful and you have been granted Italian citizenship, the consulate will inform you that your vital records have been forwarded to the municipality in Italy where your ancestor was born.
Once these have been recorded by municipality, and added you to the A.I.R.E. (Registry of Italian Citizens Residing Abroad) you will be able to apply for a passport. This service is also provided by the consulate. For more information see a related article apply for an Italian passport.
Other functions of a consulate
In relation to any children you may have while residing abroad as an Italian citizen, consulates serve another important function. You will need to register their birth certificates through the consulate before they turn eighteen in order for their Italian citizenship to be recognized.
Similarly, if you marry or divorce while living abroad you will need to register those respective certificates. These registrations are done through the consulate’s vital statistic office, which is responsible for transmitting these records to Italy.
Consulates are also responsible for updating the A.I.R.E. registry. Being registered with the A.I.R.E. is important because it is how the Italian government and consulate know that you are an Italian citizen residing abroad. If in the U.S. and move state, or abroad, you must update your details with A.I.R.E. This is necessary so that you can continue to access the services provided by the consulate. Furthermore, a fine was recently introduced for failure to register with the A.I.R.E.
The consulates also offer notary services to Italian citizens residing abroad.
Finally, Italian consulates are responsible for issuing visas to the residents of the country in which they are located. To apply for a visa, it is necessary to schedule an appointment with the visa office during which the documents and application forms required for the visa the applicant wants to obtain are submitted.
Consular protection for EU citizens
EU citizens can seek assistance and receive protection by a consulate of another EU member state if they are in a country where there is no representative of their home nation, and the consulate will afford them the same treatment as they would give to one of their own nationals.
This article has explained what a consulate is and its important role in respect of applications made for citizenships by descent.
If you would like more information, you can contact us directly and one of our friendly specialists will be into touch to answer your queries.
