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Argentina and Italy: Update to ITA24400.E of 9 September 1996 on whether an Argentinean citizen with one Italian grandparent would be eligible for Italian citizenship; requirements and procedures for such an individual to obtain Italian citizenship (January-December 2000)

In accordance with Article 1 of the Italian citizenship law of 5 February 1992, a translation of which is attached to ITA24400.E of 9 September 1996, Italian citizenship is transmitted from parent to child without any leaps in generation (Consulado de Italia, Mar del Plata 1999; Consolato d'Italia, Mendoza 1998; Consolato Generale d'Italia, Buenos Aires 2000). On its Website, the Consulate General of Italy (Consolato Generale d'Italia) in Buenos Aires states that one has an entitlement to Italian citizenship provided that a direct ancestor, for example a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, is or was an Italian citizen (ibid.). However, the Consulate General adds that if there are women in the line of Italian citizenship transmission, male and female offspring have an entitlement to such citizenship provided that they are born no earlier than 1 January 1948 (ibid.).

The following information describes the procedures which must be followed by individuals wishing to obtain Italian citizenship whose entitlement to such citizenship derives from their Italian ancestry. This information was obtained from the Website of the Consulate General of Italy in Buenos Aires, and as such refers to documentation required specifically of Italian citizenship applicants who are Argentinean citizens.

An individual wishing to initiate the process of obtaining Italian citizenship must present the following: proof of identity, through an identity card, National Identity Document (Documento Nacional de Identidad, DNI), driving permit or Argentinean passport, none of which may be more than ten years old; and proof of residence, through one's DNI or through a Mercosur identity card or driving permit accompanied by a utility receipt (ibid.).

The individual must also provide the birth certificate, marriage certificate and, if deceased, death certificate of the ancestor whose Italian citizenship gives rise to the applicant's entitlement to such citizenship (ibid.). Should the applicant not possess the ancestor's birth certificate, this can be requested from the Italian Commune (Comuna italiana), provided that the applicant knows the ancestor's exact name, date and place of birth (ibid.). The individual must also obtain a certificate from the National Electoral Chamber (Cámara Nacional Electoral) indicating either that the Italian ancestor did not become a naturalized Argentinean citizen or, if he or she did become an Argentinean citizen, the date of naturalization (ibid.). Furthermore, the applicant must also present a birth certificate, marriage certificate and, if deceased, death certificate for each direct descendant between him- or herself and the ancestor whose Italian citizenship gives rise to his or her entitlement to such citizenship (ibid.).

All Argentinean certificates must be translated into Italian by a public translator (traductor público) and, if such certificates were issued prior to 1 July 1990, they must be authenticated (legalizadas) by the Argentinean Ministry of External Relations prior to translation (ibid.). Furthermore, the applicant must present originals of all certificates, along with a photocopy of the same and their respective translation into Italian (ibid.).

In a 30 November 2000 report, the Buenos Aires newspaper La Nación stated, citing the Italian consul in Córdoba, Cesare Augusto Corti, that the Córdoba consulate has granted roughly 5,000 Italian citizenship cards (cartas de ciudadanía) to Argentinean citizens in the past six months, a significant increase over previous years.. The report added that one of the basic requirements to obtain Italian citizenship is confirmation (acreditación) of blood ties with family members who are Italian, such as a grandfather, great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather (ibid.). The report further cited Consul Corti as saying that not all applicants are in possession of their Italian ancestor's birth certificate (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Consolato d'Italia, Mendoza. 1998. "Ciudadanía italiana." <http://www.consitalia-mendoza.com.ar/ciudad.html> [Accessed 14 Dec. 2000]

Consolato Generale d'Italia, Buenos Aires. 2000. "Requisitos para la obtención de la ciudadanía italiana." <http://www.consitalia-bsas.org.ar/requisi3.htm> [Accessed 14 Dec. 2000]

Consulado de Italia, Mar del Plata. 1999. "Oficina de ciudadanía y estado civil." <http://www.cons-italia.com.ar/esp2.html> [Accessed 14 Dec. 2000]

La Nación [Buenos Aires]. 30 November 2000. "Muchos cordobeses quieren irse." <http://www.lanacion.com.ar> [Accessed 14 Dec. 2000]