An adult born out of wedlock or before the parents’ marriage may be recognized as biological child by an Italian parent who obtained Italian citizenship iure sanguinis (by birth right), via a formal notarial or judicial declaration of parentage (Art. 2(2), Law No. 91/1992).
The acquisition of Italian citizenship in such cases is to be intended iure sanguinis (since birth).
The ‘elezione di cittadinanza’ must be formalized within one year from the date of the declaration of parentage, made in person by the applicant and the Italian parent at the citizenship office of the relevant Italian authority (see below).
Failure to do so within one year will result in the impossibility to proceed with the recognition of Italian citizenship.
Important: Law No. 74/2025 (conversion of DL 36/2025) introduces an exception to automatic iure sanguinis acquisition. Accordingly, an adult-recognized child may acquire citizenship under this procedure only if:
- One parent or grandparent exclusively owns Italian citizenship;
- One parent (or adoptive parent) legally and continuously resided in Italy for at least two years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the birth or adoption of the recognised child.
The declaration of parentage must be formalized in the presence of both the Italian parent and the adult child with the following format:
- If the Italian parent resides in Italy, the declaration may be formalised by a Notary Public in Italy.
- If the Italian parent resides abroad, the declaration may be formalised by the Notary office of the Italian consular mission competent for that area abroad.
Residents of this consular district who have already formalized a declaration of parentage recognition, and wish to proceed with the ‘elezione di cittadinanza’, should e-mail this office (cittadinanza.londra@esteri.it) for further instructions on the documents to submit and to schedule an appointment, by specifying:
- Applicant’s full name and surname, place and date of birth
- Proof of residence within this consular district (e.g., utility bills, council tax bill – no driving licence or bank statement).
- If applicable: share code to prove immigration status/VISA in the UK (View your eVisa and get a share code to prove your immigration status online – GOV.UK)
- Copy of the declaration of parentage recognition
- Italian parent’s full name and surname, place and date of birth
- Copy of the Italian passport of the Italian parent
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport