Minor Registration
Deadline extended to May 31, 2029 (Law 26/2026) start early, consular appointments are booking years out.
Secure Italian Citizenship
for Your Children Before It’s Too Late
Italian citizenship law changed in 2025. Under Law No. 74/2025, parents with Italian citizenship must submit a formal declaration for their minor children born abroad.
⚠️ Italian Citizenship Update: Deadline now May 31, 2029 for children born before May 24, 2025 (extended by Law 26/2026). Consular backlogs are long starting now avoids delays.
Future-born children must be declared within the first year of life.
👉 Without this declaration, recognition will require two years of legal residency in Italy.
Free. No obligation. Reviewed within 24, 48h.
Start Now It Only Takes One Step
Submit your free eligibility check today and let our legal team confirm whether your children qualify for recognition under the 2025 law. No obligations, no stress just clarity and a personalized plan to secure their Italian future.
One simple step can protect your family’s connection to Italy forever.
Timing now determines eligibility.
Why Starting Now Still Matters
The new Italian citizenship law (Law No. 74/2025) introduced a formal requirement for parents with Italian citizenship to declare their minor children born abroad. Waiting until 2026 is risky consulates are facing long backlogs, and once the deadline passes, your child may no longer be automatically recognized as Italian.
- ✓Guarantee your child’s Italian citizenship for life once recognized, it becomes a permanent legal status under Law 74/2025.
- ✓Valid only for minors under the new law children who were still under 18 on May 24, 2025 qualify under the transitional provision. Those who turned 18 before that date are not eligible for this process.
- ✓Avoid Italy residency obligations no need to relocate or establish residence to qualify for recognition.
- ✓Prepare with time gathering, translating, and legalizing documents takes several weeks. Starting early ensures smooth filing before the 2026 legal deadline.
- ✓Beat consular and comune backlogs early preparation prevents stress, missing paperwork, and last-minute delays.
The Real Cost of Missing the 2026 Deadline
If you wait beyond the legal timeframe, your children may lose the right to automatic recognition. If the declaration deadline (May 31, 2029) is missed, Italian law requires two full years of legal and continuous residence in Italy before citizenship can be recognized a heavy commitment for any family living abroad.
- 👶Children born before May 24, 2025: must be declared by May 31, 2029 (extended by Law 26/2026); otherwise, only the two-year residency route in Italy will remain available for recognition.
- 🍼Future children: must be declared within 12 months of birth. Beyond that, they will fall under the same residency requirement.
- 🎓Minors turning 18 before the deadline: need to submit the declaration themselves before reaching adulthood to secure recognition.
⚠️ Don’t gamble with bureaucracy starting early protects your child’s rights and avoids unnecessary complications.
2025 Law What Changes for Minors
New declaration requirement
From May 24, 2025, parents who are Italian citizens must file a formal declaration (“dichiarazione di volontà”) for their minor children born abroad. This must be presented to the local Italian consulate or, if living in Italy, to the comune of residence. The declaration confirms the intention to recognize the child as Italian, and it is now a legal condition for transmission of citizenship.
Show source
Law 74/2025 Art. 4, comma 1-bis
Transitional period until 2026
Families with children who are minors as of May 24, 2025, have until May 31, 2029 to submit the declaration and secure recognition (deadline extended by Law 26/2026). While the legal deadline is fixed, it’s recommended to begin the process well in advance. Preparing documents, translations, and legalizations takes time early action helps avoid delays as the deadline approaches.
Show source
Ministry of the Interior Circular n. 36356/2025
Children born after 2025
For children born after the law came into effect, parents must file the declaration within the first year of life (or within one year from recognition, adoption, or establishment of filiation). Missing this deadline means the child will no longer be recognized automatically and must instead meet the residency condition in Italy.
Show source
Law 74/2025 Art. 4, comma 1-bis (second paragraph)
Residency alternative (“beneficio di legge”)
If the declaration is not submitted, minors can still obtain Italian citizenship by residing legally and continuously in Italy for two years. This rule applies to both minors already born abroad and future children without timely declaration.
Show source
Law 74/2025 Art. 4, comma 1-quater
Minors turning 18 before the deadline
Those who reach the age of 18 before the deadline must personally submit the declaration within the same timeframe. This ensures they can still obtain recognition under the transitional rule, even though they have reached adulthood.
Show source
Ministry of the Interior Clarifications, July 2025
Legal note
Summary based on Law 74/2025 (GU n.118, 23-05-2025; effective 24-05-2025). This overview is for general informational purposes. Each case must be verified individually during your eligibility review.
Show source
integrazionemigranti.gov.it Official Gazzetta Ufficiale Ministry of the Interior Circular 24-07-2025
From Declaration to Recognition
Our process makes your child’s registration under Law 74/2025 simple, compliant, and stress-free. Every case is personally managed by our legal team from your first consultation to final recognition.
Free Eligibility Check
We confirm if your minor children qualify under the new law and identify the safest path to recognition.
Document Gathering
Our team retrieves, translates, and legalizes all documents ready for consular or comune submission.
Declaration Preparation
We prepare and review the official declaration with you, ensuring it meets every legal and procedural requirement.
Recognition & Passport
Once approved, we assist with AIRE registration and your child’s first Italian passport.
*outcomes are not guaranteed and we do not file on your behalf.
Why Families Worldwide Choose The CTZN
At The CTZN Group, we combine legal precision with cultural understanding to make the path to Italian citizenship simple, secure, and deeply personal. Our team is made up of Italian and U.S.-based lawyers, genealogists, and cultural consultants who have helped thousands of families reconnect with their Italian roots always with transparency and care. Every case is unique, and so is our approach. We don’t apply one-size-fits-all solutions; we analyze your lineage, legal eligibility, and timelines to build a plan that works for your family especially now, under the new 2025 law.
- ✓Binational legal expertise: lawyers qualified in Italy and the U.S.
- ✓US-based + Italy network: we work daily with Italian authorities and courts.
- ✓Full-document support: birth & marriage records, translations, apostilles, legalizations.
- ✓A-la-carte or full service: from a single translation to end-to-end support.
- ✓Court-proven for 1948 cases: dedicated legal team, risks explained upfront.
- ✓100% law-compliant: every case verified under Law 74/2025 before submission.
- ✓Personal guidance: one specialist follows your case from start to finish.
- ✓Flat-fee milestones: clear scope and pricing at each step.
What Our Clients Say About The CTZN
“I had been putting off my Italian citizenship journey for years because the process seemed overwhelming. The ctzn team broke everything down step by step and guided me with so much patience. What stood out the most was how personal the experience felt, they truly cared about my family story. Today, I officially hold dual citizenship, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
“The passport process was faster than I expected. The ctzn handled all the little details, from scheduling my consulate appointment to making sure every form was correctly filled out. All I had to do was show up on the day of my appointment. Stress-free and efficient, exactly what I needed.”
“My grandparents came from a tiny village in Italy, and I thought I’d never be able to track down their documents. The ctzn not only found their birth and marriage records but also provided official copies straight from the comune. It was incredible to see pieces of my family’s history arrive in my inbox.”
“I was worried about getting my U.S. documents accepted by Italian authorities because of the strict translation rules. The ctzn took care of everything, certified translations, legalization, and making sure every detail was accurate. Their professionalism gave me so much peace of mind.”
“From day one, The ctzn felt like more than just a service provider, they were true partners in this journey. They handled my case from start to finish: vital records, translations, citizenship recognition, and even getting my passport once everything was approved. I never felt lost or alone in the process. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to finally claim their Italian roots.”
“I’d heard horror stories about consulate delays and missing paperwork. With The ctzn, everything went smoothly. They knew exactly what each consulate required and double-checked my file so there were no surprises. My appointment was stress-free, and even though the final approval takes time, I walked out confident that everything was in order.”
Real answers, real people. CTZN doesn’t just guide your case. We walk with you from the first call to your Italian passport no surprises, no false promises.
Unlock the Lifelong Benefits of Italian Citizenship for Minors
Italy’s legacy is your child’s birthright and ensuring their recognition today means securing a lifetime of opportunity and connection. At THE CTZN, we believe citizenship is more than a legal formality. It’s an inheritance of identity, belonging, and future freedom.
Live, Work & Study Across the EU
Once recognized, your child becomes a full EU citizen free to live, study, and build a future anywhere in the 27 member states, visa-free.
Access to Public Healthcare & Education
Italian citizenship guarantees access to world-class public education and subsidized healthcare in Italy benefits that last for life.
Real Estate & Investment Perks
Recognition grants smoother access to property ownership, inheritance rights, and legal protection under Italian and EU law.
Maintain U.S. Citizenship
Italy recognizes dual nationality. Your child keeps their original citizenship while gaining Italian and European rights.
Travel Freedom with One of the World’s Strongest Passports
An Italian passport opens the door to over 170 visa-free destinations offering unmatched mobility when your child grows up.
Cultural Identity & Belonging
Registering your child now ensures your Italian roots continue honoring family language, culture, and tradition across generations.
Italian citizenship for minors is more than a legal act it’s an act of love and foresight.
By filing the declaration before the deadline, you protect your child’s future and your family’s connection to Italy for generations to come.
Have Any Questions?
Check Your Child’s Eligibility Now →The law introduced a mandatory declaration (“dichiarazione di volontà”) for Italian citizens with minor children born abroad. Parents must now actively register their children to confirm their Italian citizenship. Previously, recognition was automatic. Now, the declaration is the only way to guarantee it.
Any Italian citizen (by descent, birth, or recognition) with minor children born abroad must submit the declaration , either at their local Italian consulate (if residing abroad) or at the comune of residence (if living in Italy).
The declaration deadline was extended to May 31, 2029 for children born before May 24, 2025 (Law 26/2026). However, due to processing times and consular backlogs, families are strongly advised to start the process early well before the May 31, 2029 deadline. This ensures the declaration is received and processed on time.
If the declaration isn’t filed by May 31, 2029, your child can still become an Italian citizen , but only by residing legally and continuously in Italy for two years (“beneficio di legge”). That path is slower, costlier, and requires relocation.
For future children, parents must file the declaration within the first year of life. If missed, the same two-year residency rule applies.
Yes. Minors who turn 18 before the legal deadline can submit the declaration personally before that date, provided they were still under 18 as of May 24, 2025. After turning 18, they lose the automatic right unless the declaration has already been filed.
No. Citizenship is transmitted if even one parent is an Italian citizen. However, the declaration must be jointly submitted by both parents, as it concerns the child’s legal status. If one parent is unable to sign (due to legal, custody, or other reasons), supporting documentation will be required by the consulate or comune.
If you live abroad, file it through your Italian consulate. If you live in Italy, submit it to your local comune. Our team assists with both, ensuring every document meets the legal and procedural standards.
Typical requirements include:
- Child’s birth certificate (with apostille/legalization and translation)
- Parent’s Italian citizenship certificate or passport
- Proof of residence (for both parent and child)
- Completed declaration form (provided by the consulate or comune)
CTZN prepares all translations, apostilles, and your filing package.
Yes, but consular procedures vary widely, and delays are common. Working with THE CTZN Group ensures every step is correct preventing rejections, missing paperwork, or late filings.
No. After the declaration is approved, the child must be registered with AIRE (Registry of Italians Abroad). Once complete, you can apply for the child’s Italian passport. CTZN guides you through this final step too.o.
That’s perfectly fine. Italy recognizes dual nationality. The declaration does not affect their existing citizenship it simply confirms their Italian legal status.
No. Jure sanguinis applies to those who claim citizenship by descent. The declaration of will under Law 74/2025 applies only to minors whose parent is already recognized as Italian.
Information on this website is provided for general guidance and is based on Law 74/2025 (GU n.118, 23‑05‑2025; in force 24‑05‑2025). Eligibility depends on your specific circumstances. We do not guarantee outcomes.