Please click on the desired topic to get informations.
- GENERAL INFORMATIONS
- CITIZENSHIP
- PASSPORTS
- VISAS
- VITAL RECORDS
- A.I.R.E.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Which are Office hours and when is it open to the public?
The Office is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Visa Office is open to the public on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
During the weekend messages are monitored to guarantee immediate response in case of EMERGENCIES. Emergency refers to Italian citizens who are residents or tourists, in case of arrest and detention (even when temporary, while in transit in airports), of serious car accidents, of medical emergency, case of loss of travel documents in close proximity of a departure or reentry in Italy (1.312.909-0304).
Why is it complicated to speak with someone from the Consulate over the phone?
The Consulate has a very limited staff. Employees are asked to either assist the public during opening hours or to handle paperwork. If they were to also directly take phone calls from the public, your own application for passport, assistance, citizenship and the like would not make any progress.
So we kindly ask you to prefer email over the phone.
General information are already available on this website.
CITIZENSHIP
I married an Italian citizen. Am I entitled to Italian citizenship?
If your marriage was celebrated before April 26th, 1983, the foreign wife automatically acquired husband’s Italian citizenship. In case of marriages celebrated after April 26th, 1983, both husband and wife may acquire Italian citizenship after six months of marriage if the couple resides in Italy and after three years if they reside abroad. In both cases this documented naturalization application should be submitted.
It is a case of NATURALIZATION APPLICATION that can be filed, also from abroad, by a foreign citizen who married an Italian citizen, supplying the necessary documents provided from the Law. This naturalization is conferred by Ministry of Interior in Rome after about two years since the necessary documents were forwarded.
The spouse can submit this application only since the marriage has been registered in Italy (please click here).
I became an American citizen before August 16th, 1992 (date of enforcement of the new citizenship law). Can I reacquire my Italian citizenship?
The deadline to reacquire your lost Italian citizenship, making application at the Consulate, expired on the December 31st, 1997. Nonetheless, you can reacquire the Italian citizenship by residing for one year in Italy. Other means to reacquire the Italian citizenship may be examined at the Consulate, for more information please click here.
Appointments to submit new applications to obtain Italian citizenship by blood (jure sanguinis) are suspended during year 2008. Appointment will resume in January 2009.
I became an American citizen after August 16th, 1992. Did I lose my Italian citizenship?
No. You can send to the Consulate a copy of certificate of naturalization.
I was born in the US but I have an Italian direct ascendant. Am I entitled to dual citizenship?
Yes, if your ancestor remained Italian citizen. If he acquired American citizenship, making a petition at the Consulate is necessary in order to verify citizenship.
Those who were born before 1948 may obtain Italian citizenship only through paternal direct ascendants (please click here).
My father was an Italian citizen at the time of my birth and I have never renounced my Italian citizenship. Can I reacquire Italian citizenship?
Yes. The following documentation is required:
- your fathers birth certificate;
- your parents marriage certificate;
- your fathers naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service stating that he was naturalized AFTER your birth or your fathers current Italian passport and his Alien Registration Card
The above mentioned documents should confirm that, if your father acquired US citizenship, he did it after your birth. If your father was naturalized BEFORE your birth, you are not entitled to Italian citizenship.
I was born after January 1, 1948, I have never renounced my Italian citizenship, and my mother was an Italian citizen at the time of my birth. Can I reacquire Italian citizenship?
Yes. The following documentation is required:
- your mothers birth certificate;
- your parents marriage certificate;
- your birth certificate;
- your mothers naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service stating that she was naturalized AFTER your birth or your mothers current Italian passport and Alien Registration Card.
The above mentioned documents should confirm that, if your mother acquired US citizenship, he did it after your birth. If your mother was naturalized BEFORE your birth, you are not entitled to Italian citizenship.
My father was born in the U.S. and my paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of my father’s birth and neither I nor my father ever renounced Italian citizenship. Can I reacquire Italian citizenship?
Yes. The following documentation is required:
- your grandfathers birth certificate;
- your grandfather's marriage certificate;
- your grandfather's death certificate (if it applies);
- your fathers birth certificate;
- your parents marriage certificate;
- your birth certificate;
- your grandfathers naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service stating that he was naturalized AFTER your father's birth or your grandfathers Italian passport and his Alien Registration Card.
If your grandfather was naturalized BEFORE your father’s birth, your father and you are not entitled to Italian citizenship.
I was born after January 1, 1948, my mother was born in the U.S. and my maternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of my mother’s birth and neither I nor my mother ever renounced Italian citizenship. Can I reacquire Italian citizenship?
Yes. The following documentation is required:
- your maternal grandfathers birth certificate;
- your maternal grandfather's marriage certificate;
- your maternal grandfather's death certificate (if it applies);
- your mothers birth certificate;
- your parents marriage certificate;
- your birth certificate;
- your maternal grandfathers naturalization certificate or a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service stating that he was naturalized AFTER your father's birth or your grandfathers Italian passport and his Alien Registration Card.
If your maternal grandfather was naturalized BEFORE your mother’s birth, your mother and you are not entitled to Italian citizenship.
I have completed my application. How long do I have to wait now before I can be an Italian citizen?
Due to the enormous number of applications, the time period required for obtaining Italian citizenship has greatly increased over the last few years.
Equity and fairness reasons towards our users will compel this Consulate General to process files following a rigorous CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER of ARRIVAL.
PASSPORTS
Who can ask for a new passport or for its renewal at the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago?
Every Italian citizen living in a State under the jurisdiction of this Consulate General.
Who DOES NOT live under your jurisdiction can ask for a new passport or for its renewal?
Yes, but in that case you have to wait for the authorization and the proxy statement of the Office (Questura or Italian Consulate) which is competent for your jurisdiction.
How long is the validity of the passport?
The passport is issued with a ten years validity. After that, it is necessary to issue a new one. Valid or expired by no longer than six months passports can be renewed for a period of no more than ten years, starting from the issue date.
What has to be done to get a renew or for issuing a new passport?
You have to go to the Passport Office of this Consulate or send by mail the following documentation:
- Your expired passport (or your parent passport if you entered the USA while your name was on your father or mother passport);
- Valid ID, in case of first passport;
- Alien Registration Card (Green Card) updated or residency VISA:
- Frontal photos, card format with white background (1 for renewal, 2 for issuing a new Passport) 2x2 format;
- As of November 25, 2009, it is MANDATORY for children under 18 years of age to have their own individual passports as they may no longer be listed on their parents’ passport.
The listing of those children who appear on their parents’ passports before the new law took effect will remain in effect until the passport’s expiration date.
The temporary validity will depend on the child’s age: 3 years for children from zero to three years of age; 5 years for children from three to eighteen years old.
To obtain a passport for a minor child, it is necessary to appear before the Passport Office with the following documents:
• Application form available from the Passport Office (or downloadable from our website) signed by both parents; or by one of them and a signed consent by the other parent accompanied by his/her picture i.d.
• Two passport-size pictures (identical, facing forward and in color)
• Birth certificate, translated into Italian and bearing the corresponding apostille, in case the minor child was born abroad.
If you need other information, please click here.
How much time is necessary to renew or to get a new passport?
Once you got all the necessary documents (and received, if necessary, the authorization if prescribed or necessary for the completation of the inquiry), the passport will be renewed/issued by the time prescribed by Law (15 days).
Can I renew my passport before it expires?
Yes. Valid passports can be renewed for a period no longer than ten years from the issue date.
What has to be done if the old passport or the ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD is stolen or missing?
You must present to the Consulate the report of theft or loss submitted at the local Police authority. For office acts, you have to compile and sign the specific form.
What has to be done if the old passport or the ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD is too old or deteriorated or expired?
We recommend to ask for a new one, as indicated in the U.S. IMMIGRATION OFFICE.
Can minors have a passport?
As of November 25, 2009, minors will no longer be added onto the passports of the parent (or guardian or person otherwise authorized to accompany them).
New European regulations provide protection of the minor’s identity and security by stipulating:
a) that all minors are required to have their own personal passport; and
b) that their pictures be routinely updated: the validity of the passport for minors differs depending on the age (three years for children from 0 to three years; five years for minors between three and 18 years of age).
In the case of minors who are already registered on currently valid passports, these will remain valid until the expiration of the passport itself.
How much is due for the issuing or renewal of the passport?
You have to pay the annual tax, plus the actual cost of the passport in case of a new issuing. The sum is indicated in U.S. dollars and is subject to the official Euro-Dollar change, fixed every three months by the Ministero degli Affari Esteri, as indicated on the Consulate web site.
Can a woman have on her passport her husband’s family name?
The husband’s family name can be added if asked and is written on the passport only if the marriage has took place in Italy or is correctly registered if the marriage took place abroad.
Can I pay with a cheque or credit card?
No, only with cash or money order to the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago.
Residents with Italian citizenship, that are born abroad and never had an Italian passport, can ask for it in every moment?
Yes, if the birth is already recorded in the Vital Record Registry of an Italian Comune. Otherwise it is necessary to record the act of birth. For more detailed informations, please click here.
VISAS
Please find all information on visas and all forms for requesting visas at this address.
When is the Visa Office open to the public?
The Visa Office is open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Please notice that the Visa Office is closed to the public on Wednesdays.
How can I contact the Visa Office?
Exclusively by e.mail: visti.chicago@esteri.it.
Employees are asked to either assist the public only during opening hours or to handle paperwork. If they were to also directly take phone calls from the public, your own application would not make any progress.
General information are already available on this website.
Who can apply for a visa at the Italian Consulate General in Chicago?
The Consulate General of Italy in Chicago will accept visa applications ONLY from legal residents of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Only holders of one of the following documents may apply for a visa:
U.S. Passport; U.S. Permanent Resident Card (formerly Green Card); foreign students holding valid visas and valid I-20, exchange visitors holding valid visas and I-66;
valid long term visas except B1/B2.
Do I need a visa visiting Italy even though I hold a Green Card?
Please click here.
Do I need a visa for the Schengen area?
The following countries make up the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
European Union citizens DO NOT need visas for any Schengen country.
Citizens of the following countries DO NOT require visas when visiting Schengen area countries for TOURISM, OFFICIAL OR BUSINESS STAYS up to 90 days:
Andorres, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.
How can I apply for a visa?
All applications must be submitted in person at the Consulate General.
Only documents for a Student Visa can be sent by post.
For information about necessary documents to apply, please click here.
How can a minor apply for a visa?
For minor applicants, the following certification is needed:
- Authorization to travel signed by both parents, full printed names of both parents must be mentioned and the signatures MUST be notarized by either the Chicago Consulate or one of its peripheral consular offices;
-Birth certificate, original or a notarized copy;
- Notarized copies of both parents' picture I.D.
All foreign documents MUST be translated into English and the translations legalized by the competent Consulate.
How much does a visa cost?
For information on visa fees, please click here.
Only “money order” payable to Consulate General of Italy, in the exact amount, is accepted.
There is no fee for minors aged below 6 years old, students/teachers/scholars traveling for educational reasons, US family members of US military in mission.
When do I have to apply for a visa?
Visa applications must be submitted to this office no more than 90 days before the date of arrival in Italy. Please show complete documents as soon as there are 3 months before your departure, because this Consulate General processes files following a rigorous CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER of ARRIVAL, due to the enormous number of applications and for equity and fairness reasons towards our users.
How long do I have to wait before I can receive my visa?
Processing time for the visa, according to Italian Law, can vary to a maximum of 90 days depending on the applicant's nationality.
VITAL RECORDS
How can Vital Records Acts regarding Italian citizens, issued by a foreign State, be valid in Italy?
Vital Records documents (birth certificates, marriage, death, divorce) needs to be registered: they have to be forwarded by the Consular Office (jurisdiction of citizen’s residency) for Italian City Council recording. Registration is a fundamental act for the correct archival of Vital Records matters of Italian citizens living abroad.
Can a Consular Office translate the acts?
Vital Records acts have to be produced and written in Italian by the citizen who asks for recording. All documents written in a foreign language need to be translated in Italian and the translation must display the Consular stamp for TRADUZIONE CONFORME, in order to be registered by the Consular Office. Translation in Italian always has to be confirmed by the Consular Authority with the stamp. Service given by the Consular Office only regards the CONFORMITY ATTESTATION of translation.
Which procedure makes the documents and certificates issued by foreign States valid for Italy?
Issued documents and certificates must be LEGALIZED. Legalization is an official attestation of authenticity and legal quality of who signed acts and certificates. Legalization of USA acts is made by the stamp APOSTILLE given by the Secretary of State’s Office in the State where act was given or legalized by a public notary.
How can residents of this Consular District send their registering request of a Vital Record Act in Italy?
The request can be sent to the Consulate General by mail or presented personally, filling out the special form (available on Consulate’s web site), the original document (with Apostille stamp), a copy of the document and two copies of its translation. This service is free.
A.I.R.E.
What is A.I.R.E.?
A.I.R.E. is Registry of Italian nationals residing abroad. It’s a part of the Italian registry and contains data for all the citizens that lived abroad for more than 12 months.
Who has to enroll in the A.I.R.E.?
Italian nationals who transferred their citizenship abroad; people born abroad who got their citizenship by blood (jure sanguinis); people who got their Italian citizenship abroad.
Who do not have to enroll in the A.I.R.E.?
Italian nationals living abroad for a period of less than 12 months, or those engaged in seasonal occupations.
How can I enroll in the A.I.R.E.?
Enrolling in the A.I.R.E is very easy. You have to appear at your Consular Office and fill your registry data as indicated in this form. The consular office will send the form to the Italian Comune (city hall) where the enrollment will happen. Citizens can also enroll directly in the A.I.R.E. at their own Italian Comune. before transferring their residency abroad. For more informations regarding necessary document, please click here.
How is the A.I.R.E. updated?
Every Italian national residing abroad has responsibility to update his own file. You are required to update you AIRE registration in any of the following cases: changes of domicile or residence abroad; change of personal status (marriage, divorce, birth); changes of employment or educational status; every other registry change.
Italians citizens have to inform the Consulate when they go back in Italy definitely, when there is a death in the family, when they lose Italian citizenship.