Do you have an Italian mother or grandmother? Have you thought about becoming an Italian dual citizen to reconnect with your family’s roots? Do your future plans include living in Italy?

Whatever your reasons, you may be wondering if you can obtain citizenship through your maternal line and where to begin the process? In the past, Italian citizenship law treated maternal lines differently. Fortunately, Italian laws changed in 1948, when the Italian constitution came into effect – allowing women to pass the right to Italian citizenship to their children. These cases—known as “1948 cases”—often required a court challenge to gain recognition.

With the introduction of Law No. 74/2025, the rules have changed again, and for the better, in the case of claims to Italian dual citizenship through the maternal lines. The law now applies equally to maternal and paternal lines – removing the old 1948 restriction altogether. Eligibility is instead limited to applicants who have a parent or grandparent born in Italy who never renounced Italian citizenship. 

At With_Papers, we understand that interpreting Italian laws and rules can be confusing, so we help you navigate every step of the process to make it as stress-free as possible. We are a team of licensed New York and Rome attorneys experienced in Italian dual citizenship law. You can trust us to effectively and efficiently handle every aspect of your case to make your dreams of Italian dual citizenship a reality.

Can you obtain Italian dual citizenship through your maternal line?

Historical Overview

Under the previous rules, you could pursue Italian citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) from any ancestor alive on or after March 17, 1861, the date of Italian unification. However, the situation was more complex when the line passed through a woman. These situations were traditionally known as “1948 cases.” Under the old law, Italian women could not pass citizenship to children born before January 1, 1948, the date of Italy’s first republican constitution. For decades, the only solution was to challenge the restriction in the Italian courts, which routinely ruled in favor of applicants by applying the principle of gender equality retroactively. As a result, most 1948 cases were successful when handled correctly.

The New Italian Citizenship Law

The landscape has changed with the introduction of Law No. 74/2025. Because eligibility is now restricted to having an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy who never renounced their citizenship, the old 1948 barrier is no longer relevant. In other words, if your qualifying parent or grandparent was an Italian woman, her ability to transmit citizenship is now treated equally to that of an Italian man. The cutoff date of 1948 no longer applies under the new rules.

That means you no longer need to worry about pursuing a court case under the 1948 rule. Instead, what matters is whether your mother or grandmother was born in Italy, maintained her Italian citizenship, and passed it to you without interruption. Such claims can now be handled administratively and directly through the Italian Consulates or municipalities, as well as through the courts.

Claims based on great-grandmothers or more distant female ancestors, however, are no longer permitted under the 2025 law unless you filed your case before March 27, 2025, when the old rules were still in effect.

Our Italian dual citizenship lawyer understands these requirements can be complex, so we work with you to determine if you qualify and how to proceed with the next steps.

What documents are required to get Italian Dual Citizenship through the maternal line?

Once we have determined that you have met the qualifications for Italian dual citizenship through the maternal line, we can help you gather the necessary documents to prove your right to this status. These documents may include the following:

• Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates of your Italian ancestors, including your parents and grandparents, if applicable,
• Your Italian ancestors’ naturalization records or proof that they did not naturalize in another country,
• Two forms of photo identification and proof of address,
• Your own birth, marriage and divorce certificates, if applicable.

We understand it can be challenging to gather this information on your own, so our knowledgeable team helps you determine what you need to include in your case to ensure you are fully prepared for meeting with an Italian Consulate, municipality or court. Our efficiency and individual attention help keep your paperwork organized and the process seamless.

Why contact With_Papers to help with your case?

While obtaining Italian dual citizenship may be your dream or an essential part of planning your future, the process can be complex and time-consuming.

With_Papers is a full-service consultancy that guides you every step of the way, including the following:

• Listening to your story to understand your goals and expectations
• Developing a report based on your needs, including costs and a timeline for completion
• Working closely with valuable resources, like experienced lawyers, genealogy search experts, and tax advisors
• Interpreting rules and laws
• Overcoming language barriers
• Determining the paperwork you need to complete

If you have any questions or concerns about the Italian dual citizenship process, our team is here to provide effective counsel and help identify the best path forward to achieve your dreams. With our comprehensive services and years of experience, you can rest assured you are in the right hands when working with us.

Learn more about Italian Dual Citizenship through the maternal line with the seasoned team at With_Papers

There are several reasons to become an Italian dual citizen, including connecting with the community your ancestors came from. Achieving this goal can be challenging. Fortunately, you do not have to go through this alone. Our skilled team at With_Papers provides complete services that meet all your needs and help you obtain Italian dual citizenship.

Our founder has been an Italian dual citizen for over 25 years, so we understand what you should know about the application process and how to make it as stress-free as possible. We take a personalized approach and create a plan based on your unique needs. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 917-310-2246 or fill out our contact form.