Citizenship

Minor-at-naturalization: the date that can break your citizenship line

Updated September 18, 2026

How an ancestor's naturalization date, compared with their child's birth, decides whether citizenship passed down.

The core issue

Under the law in force until 1992, if an Italian citizen naturalized in another country while their child was a minor, the child lost Italian citizenship too. The age of majority was 21, not 18.

The ancestor naturalized before the child was born: the child was never Italian and the line is broken. A court case generally can't fix this.
The ancestor naturalized when the child was already 21 or older: citizenship generally continued through the child.
The ancestor never naturalized: this isn't an issue for your line.

The documents that settle it

A difference of a few months can change the outcome. Get the exact naturalization date before you spend money on translations and apostilles.

The ancestor's naturalization record (US National Archives or USCIS Genealogy Program), showing the exact date
Or a certificate of non-existence of naturalization records, proving they never naturalized
The child's birth certificate, to compare the dates precisely

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change often. Verify with official sources, your consulate, a licensed Italian lawyer or a cross-border tax professional.