Many people ask “Can you get Italian citizenship through DNA test?” when they lack paperwork for an ancestor. The short answer is simple and firm: DNA alone will not get you recognized as an Italian citizen. You are not automatically Italian just because of a DNA result. In fact, neither you nor your ancestors are considered eligible for citizenship based solely on DNA evidence.
This guide explains what counts, what changed in 2024–2025, and what you can do if documents are missing. Read the practical steps so you know what to gather and where to look.
Legal requirements and documentation for Italian citizenship
You must gather birth certificates for every person in your line who links you to the Italian ancestor. You also need marriage certificates and death records where relevant. These documents must match across generations. You must provide these documents to prove eligibility for citizenship.
If an ancestor naturalized abroad, you must find the naturalization record. The date of that naturalization determines whether the chain still transmits citizenship. If naturalization happened before the next person was born, citizenship did not pass.
All foreign civil records need an Apostille or equivalent legalization. You must also provide an official Italian translation for each document. Missing Apostilles or wrong translations often cause delays or rejections.
Proving parentage by paper is different from proving genetic relation. A citizenship application requires official records, not DNA evidence.
Only after all requirements are met can you achieve recognition of Italian citizenship.
Changes in Italian citizenship laws (2024-2025)
The latest developments in Italian citizenship law have created significant challenges for descendants abroad, especially in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. On October 3, 2024, the Ministry of Interior issued new guidelines on the so-called “minor age issue”, stating that if an Italian-born ancestor naturalized while their child was still a minor (under 21 before 1975), the transmission of citizenship could be interrupted. While this affects consular and municipal applications, it does not apply to judicial petitions, where Italian courts continue to recognize citizenship by descent in such cases. In 2025, further restrictions arrived with Law 74/2025, which imposed generational limits and the controversial “real connection” requirement, cutting off many third-generation and later claims at the administrative level. However, the courts remain the key pathway: they are not bound by these restrictive rules and consistently uphold that citizenship jure sanguinis is a constitutional birthright, not a privilege to be revoked. For families, including those affected by the minor age issue or new generational limits, judicial petitions remain the strongest and most reliable strategy to secure Italian citizenship.
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Can you get Italian citizenship through a DNA test?
Italian authorities do not accept DNA tests as proof for citizenship by descent. They do not accept it even as extra evidence. To claim Italian citizenship, you must provide official records, not DNA. Citizenship requires an unbroken paper chain from you to your Italian ancestor. That means birth, marriage, and death certificates that match across generations.
DNA tests show genetic ancestry, but they do not meet the legal requirement for family documents. They cannot replace the vital records the law requires. Even if the test proves a biological link, it has no value in the eyes of consulates or Courts.
When discussing lineage, both the maternal line and paternal line are considered, including ancestors such as a paternal grandfather or maternal grandfather, depending on the historical legal context. Legal reforms now allow claims through an Italian mother or Italian father, regardless of gender.
Applicants should focus on collecting official records with Apostilles and certified translations. When gathering documents, it is important to include all relevant family members in the documentation process.
Professional genealogists and consultants can help locate missing records in Italy or find alternate civil documents accepted by consulates. They may track down old parish registers or local archives. DNA test results, however, are never considered valid evidence in this process.
How to apply for Italian Citizenship: Consulate appointment or Court Petition
Applying for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is a dream for many people with Italian ancestry. To obtain recognition of your Italian citizenship, you must follow specific procedures. Today, due to recent legal changes, there are two main routes: through the Italian consulate or via a court petition in Italy.
Applying for Italian Citizenship at the Consulate
The traditional way to apply for Italian citizenship is through the Italian consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
Steps for consular applications:
- Check the rules of your consulate – Each consulate publishes its own guidelines on its official website.
- Book an appointment – Most consulates require online booking, and each adult applicant must have their own appointment. Group bookings are not allowed.
- Prepare your documents – Create a checklist of all vital records in your lineage: birth, marriage, and death certificates, plus naturalization or “no naturalization” records when relevant.
- Organize and label your documents – Keep copies and clearly indicate which family member each document refers to.
- Include minor children – They do not need to attend the appointment, but they must appear later when collecting their passports.
- Legalize your documents – Any certificate issued outside Italy must have an Apostille and be officially translated into Italian.
At the appointment, you will present the original documents, Apostilles, and translations. The consulate will review your file and guide you through the next steps.
Court Petition: an alternative route
Due to recent restrictions introduced by Law No. 74/2025 (conversion of Decree-Law No. 36/2025), many descendants beyond the second generation are no longer eligible to apply through Italian consulates. However, the judicial route remains fully valid and highly effective.
Why choose the court petition option?
- Bypass consular delays – No need to wait years for an appointment.
- Simplified requirements – Italian courts allow you to file with just the long-form birth certificates establishing your lineage, while additional documents can be provided later.
- Protection from law changes – Once your petition is filed, your case is evaluated under the law in force at that time, meaning future restrictions will not affect you.
- Family inclusion – Minor children can be included in the same petition, securing citizenship rights for the next generation.
- No travel required – Your lawyer in Italy can represent you with a power of attorney, making the process 100% remote.
If a document cannot be found, try the issuing office, national archives, or parish records. You may need to contact the relevant Italian municipality for records or residency verification.Use legal help when you use the courts.
Professional legal guidance for Italian Citizenship applications
At Aprigliano International Law Firm, we focus on Italian citizenship and guide clients from all over the world through every possible path to recognition. Our expertise covers citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), including complex cases such as 1948 maternal line petitions and the minor age issue, as well as citizenship by marriage, by residence, and reacquisition procedures.Our multilingual team offers personalized service, ensuring every document meets standards and helping clients navigate the recent 2024-2025 legal changes.
We recognize that time is essential to our clients’ success, which is why we offer efficient, precise solutions backed by our multidisciplinary expertise and extensive network of professionals. Since 2002, our Milan-based firm has built long-term relationships of mutual trust by adapting our services to meet each client’s individual needs, whether they’re pursuing Italian citizenship, residence permits, or business investments in Italy.
[Check Eligibility] – Contact us today for professional legal guidance on your Italian citizenship application and let our experienced team help you achieve your citizenship goals.
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