If you're married to an Italian citizen, you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship through marriage—a legal path known as jure matrimoni (JM). This process offers an exciting opportunity for spouses to become Italian citizens and enjoy the full benefits of Italian nationality, including the ability to live, work, and travel freely within the European Union.
To apply for citizenship through marriage or civil union to an Italian citizen, you must meet the following conditions:
You have been legally married or in a recognized civil union with an Italian citizen for:
2 years if residing together in Italy, or
3 years if residing abroad
These timeframes are cut in half if the couple has children (biological or adopted) under 18.
The marriage must already be registered in Italy with the local comune (municipality).
If you live outside Italy, your Italian spouse must be registered with A.I.R.E. (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad).
You must demonstrate B1-level Italian language proficiency, certified by one of the approved institutions.
🛑 Important: This process does not apply to women who married an Italian man before April 27, 1983—you may have acquired citizenship automatically and should contact the consulate directly.
The application is submitted through the Italian Ministry of the Interior portal (ALI). Before beginning, applicants should confirm eligibility and gather all required documents.
Valid passport
Marriage certificate (estratto dell’atto di matrimonio) issued by the Italian comune
Certified copy of your birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Italian
Criminal background checks:
From all countries and U.S. states where you’ve lived since age 14
Includes an FBI background check, apostilled and translated
Language certification at the B1 level from an approved school (e.g. University of Perugia, Siena, Roma Tre, Dante Alighieri Society)
Proof of residency (if applying abroad, it must match your spouse's AIRE registration)
Application fee: €250, payable by international wire transfer to the Italian Ministry of the Interior
🕒 Background checks and marriage transcripts must be issued within the last 6 months at the time of submission.
Online Application: Submit your initial application and upload scanned documents through the Ministry’s website.
Pre-Review: The consulate or prefettura reviews your application and may request additional documentation.
In-Person Appointment: If the initial review is successful, you’ll be called to present all original documents in person.
Processing Time: The Ministry of the Interior has up to 24–36 months to process the application. During this time, the couple must remain legally married.
Citizenship Ceremony: Once approved, you’ll take an oath of allegiance at the consulate or prefettura, where both spouses must confirm the marriage is still valid.
Your marriage must be intact through the entire process. Divorce, separation, or death of the Italian spouse will terminate the application.
Changes in your address or contact info must be promptly reported to avoid delays or denials.
The Italian government takes language and legal documentation seriously—small errors can cause months of delays.
If you think you may qualify for Italian citizenship through marriage or civil union, take the first step by filling out our quick intake form. It only takes 2 minutes and helps us understand your situation so we can guide you on next steps.
Want to speak with us directly? Schedule a consultation with an attorney here.
Disclaimer: Requirements for Italian citizenship by marriage are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the latest requirements directly with your local Italian consulate before proceeding.