Citizenship by Marriage: Start Now While the Process Is Still Simpler

For many U.S. citizens in a relationship with an Italian citizen, citizenship by marriage is the most realistic path to Italian and EU citizenship.

The rules are already stricter than in the past. You now need a minimum B1 level of Italian, clean criminal records, and a structured online application through the Ministry of the Interior.

At the same time, the 2025 reform of citizenship law has clearly moved Italy toward a system that rewards strong, provable ties with the country, especially residence and integration.

This is why there is a strong argument for starting the process now, while the path is demanding but still relatively clear and accessible.

The Current Legal Framework For Citizenship By Marriage

Citizenship by marriage is an administrative procedure regulated by Article 5 of Law 91 of 5 February 1992, along with its implementing regulations and later amendments.

Who Can Apply

You can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage if:

You are legally married to an Italian citizen or in a recognized civil union
Your marriage has been registered in Italy (transcribed in the Italian civil registry)
The marriage is still valid at the time the citizenship decree is issued
There must be no separation, divorce, annulment, or termination of civil effects at that moment

Waiting Periods

Under Article 5, the foreign spouse can apply:

After 2 years of legal and continuous residence in Italy following the marriage, or
After 3 years from the date of marriage if the couple lives abroad

These time limits are halved if the couple has children together, whether born or adopted.

In practice, this means:

In Italy
2 years of residence after marriage, or 1 year if you have children
Abroad
3 years after marriage, or 1.5 years if you have children

The key point is that these requirements must still be met on the day of the oath, not only at the moment you submit your application.

The B1 Italian Language Requirement

Since the 2018 reform, applicants for citizenship by marriage or residence must demonstrate an adequate knowledge of Italian at level B1 of the CEFR.

In most cases you need:

A B1 Italian language certificate issued by a recognized institution
For example Università per Stranieri di Perugia or Siena, Dante Alighieri Society, or other accredited exam centers
Or an equivalent qualification recognized by Italian authorities, or a certified exemption for serious health reasons

Without this language proof, the application cannot be approved. For many U.S. applicants, preparing for and passing B1 is the most time consuming part of the process, which is one more reason not to delay.

Documents, Fees, And Application Method

Main Documents Typically Required

Official checklists from Prefetture and consulates usually include:

Full marriage certificate or civil union certificate issued by the Comune
Proof that the marriage celebrated abroad has been transcribed in Italy (if applicable)
Long form birth certificate of the foreign spouse, translated and legalized
Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and any other countries of residence, translated and legalized
Valid passport and residence permit (if living in Italy)
Proof of payment of the 250 euro state fee
A 16 euro revenue stamp (marca da bollo) in many in person submissions
B1 Italian language certificate or valid exemption

Each consulate and Prefettura has its own detailed instructions, so it is essential to consult the official local website.

Fees

According to official guidance and updated checklists:

The state fee for citizenship by marriage is 250 euro
You may also need to pay for revenue stamps, translations, legalizations, apostilles, and background checks

How You Apply

Today, almost all citizenship by marriage applications are submitted online through the Ministero dell’Interno portal.

The general steps are:

Create an account on the Ministry portal
Fill in the electronic application form
Upload scans of the required documents and proof of payment
Wait for instructions to attend an appointment at the consulate or Prefettura
Provide original documents and complete the identity checks
Wait for the decision and, if approved, take the oath of allegiance within the prescribed deadline

The Ministry indicates a maximum processing time of 48 months, although many recent sources report average times between 24 and 36 months in straightforward cases.

Why The Process Is Still “Simpler” Today

The word “simple” here is relative. Citizenship by marriage is already a serious legal procedure. However, compared to possible future developments, the current framework has advantages.

1. Requirements Are Demanding But Clear

Right now, the pillars of the procedure are stable and well documented:

Article 5 of Law 91 of 1992, which sets the time thresholds and basic conditions
The B1 language requirement introduced for marriage and residence routes
Online submission through the Ministry portal and standardized checklists

This means that if you start now, you can plan your path with reasonable confidence about the rules you must satisfy.

2. The Trend Of Recent Reforms Is Restrictive

The 2025 reform of citizenship, with Decree Law 36 of 2025 and Law 74 of 2025, primarily targeted citizenship by descent, especially for people born abroad with another citizenship. It introduced limits by generation and new conditions and has drastically restricted many iure sanguinis claims.

Even if these provisions do not directly rewrite Article 5 on marriage, they show a clear policy direction:

Less automatic citizenship
More focus on effective links such as residence, social integration, and real presence in Italy

Many legal commentators interpret this as a sign that, in the medium term, marriage based routes will be subject to closer scrutiny, not less.

3. Acting Now Reduces The Risk Of Stricter Future Conditions

There is no official text that introduces new higher language levels or additional residence time for citizenship by marriage as of early 2026. However:

The European and Italian debate increasingly links citizenship to stronger integration requirements
Recent reforms in other areas show that the legislator is prepared to introduce stricter eligibility rules when it considers them necessary

Starting your application now puts you under a framework that, while demanding, is widely tested and understood. Waiting could mean facing:

Higher expectations on language proficiency
More extensive documentation of residence and integration
Longer processing times in a more crowded and restrictive system

Practical Steps For U.S. Spouses Who Want To Start Now

Step 1: Verify Your Marriage And Registration

Make sure that:

Your marriage is fully valid under both local law and Italian law
If married abroad, the marriage has been transcribed in Italy in the civil registry of an Italian Comune

If the marriage has not yet been registered, this is usually the first administrative step to complete.

Step 2: Map Out Your Timing

Check:

How many years have passed since your marriage
Whether you live in Italy or abroad
Whether you have children together

From this, determine when you meet the 2 year in Italy or 3 year abroad rule, halved if you have children.

If you are close to eligibility, it may make sense to start gathering documents and preparing for the B1 exam immediately.

Step 3: Plan Your B1 Italian Strategy

Because B1 is mandatory, create a realistic language plan:

Assess your current level with a placement test
Enroll in a course that targets B1 and the specific citizenship exam format
Reserve exam dates early at accredited providers, especially in large U.S. cities where demand is high

Reaching B1 typically takes months, not weeks, particularly if you are starting from elementary level.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents Carefully

Use official checklists from your Italian consulate or, if you live in Italy, your Prefettura.

Common issues that cause delays include:

Inconsistencies in names or dates between certificates
Missing apostilles or incorrect legalizations
Translations that are incomplete or not certified when required

Correcting these after you submit can add months to your timeline.

Step 5: Decide Whether To Apply From The U.S. Or From Italy

If you live in the United States, you will normally file through the Italian consulate responsible for your state of residence.

If you are moving to Italy, you will need to:

Register your legal residence in a Comune
Then apply through the Prefettura that covers that area

The choice can affect waiting times and the type of documentation required, so professional advice is often useful here.

How THE CTZN Can Support Your Marriage Based Application

At THE CTZN we help couples around the world understand and navigate the Italian citizenship by marriage process under the current rules.

Our team can:

Confirm whether you meet the legal conditions of Article 5
Design a personalized timeline that includes B1 preparation, document collection, and filing
Clarify the pros and cons of applying from the United States or from Italy
Review your documentation to avoid hidden errors that could delay or block your case

The goal is to help you submit an application that is complete, credible, and aligned with the latest legal standards.

Start Now While The Rules Are Still Manageable

Citizenship by marriage is no longer a quick or automatic procedure. It requires time, planning, and genuine commitment to Italian language and life.

However, compared to the direction of recent reforms, the rules in force today are still relatively stable and predictable.

If you are married to an Italian citizen and thinking about dual citizenship, postponing the decision may not work in your favor.

👉 Contact THE CTZN to evaluate your eligibility, plan your B1 Italian path, and start your citizenship by marriage process while the framework is still as clear and manageable as it is today.