Citizenship Office
Email: losangeles.cittadinanza@esteri.it
Italian citizenship recognition is currently governed by Law n.91, introduced on 5 February 1992, (its subsequent addendum DPR 12 ottobre 1993 n. 572 as well as DPR 18 aprile 1994 n. 362) as amended by decree-law no.36 introduced on March 28, 2025 and published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale Serie Generale issue no. 73 , March 28, 2025 (www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2025/03/28/25G00049/sg). Decree-law no.36/2025 came into effect on March 29, 2025 and establishes limitations in how Italian citizenship is passed on.
Citizenship applications submitted after March 27, 2025 are subject to the new provisions which establish that Italian citizenship may be granted to an applicant whose parent is an Italian citizen born in Italy, or whose parent is an Italian citizen born abroad and who lived in Italy for a minimum of two consecutive years prior to the applicant’s birth, or to an applicant whose grandparent is an Italian citizen born in Italy.
Citizenship applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2025 (Rome time) will be processed according to the previous regulations in effect at that time.
Applications for citizenship by descent must be submitted in the applicant’s country of residence, specifically at the Italian Consulate or Embassy responsible for that jurisdiction. If the applicant resides in Italy, they should contact their Comune in Italy.
To apply for Italian citizenship through this Consulate General the applicant must be a permanent resident of the following areas: Southern California (Counties of S. Luis Obispo, Kern, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial Valley, Orange), Nevada, Arizona or New Mexico.
Click on the citizenship option you are interested in reviewing from the list below:
- Citizenship by descent – Descent through an Italian national ancestor/parent (Iure sanguinis):
- Citizenship by marriage or Civil Union
- Reacquiring Italian citizenship
- Acquisition of Italian citizenship for minors (click here for Vital Records)
For general information, for the reacquisition of Italian citizenship please contact losangeles.cittadinanza@esteri.it for citizenship by marriage/civil union contact losangeles.matrimonio@esteri.it
Please note:
The Consulate does not provide the following services:
- carrying out genealogical research in Italy or in other countries to retrieve vital records certificates of your ancestors. The information must be obtained directly by the applicant. For Italy please contact the Italian municipality (Comune) directly for vital records certificates.
- translating documents or certifications into Italian on your behalf. You can translate your own documents or consult our list of translators.