Jigsaw Puzzle piece n. 1
Putting together a petition for Italian citizenship by descent is a challenging process. At the same time, it’s deeply rewarding. In building your dossier, you will be bringing together parts of your family’s history – one document at a time – and discovering precious and previously uncovered details along the way.
Some of these documents will be brand new to you and crucial to your citizenship application. At With_Papers, we tend to think of them as the interlocking pieces of a jigsaw puzzle which will produce a completed picture once assembled.
Jigsaw puzzle piece n. 1 or the Certificate of Non-Existence of Naturalization (CNE) from USCIS
This is a letter from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Homeland Security attesting that they have not found any US naturalization records regarding your ancestor.
Where does it fit in the puzzle?
In applying for dual Italian citizenship on the basis of jus sanguinis or descent, the applicant must show an unbroken bloodline – by providing proof that the applicant’s Italian ancestor did not naturalize in the United States before their children were born or that the applicant’s Italian ancestor never naturalized.
In the latter case, the applicant may request proof of their ancestor’s non-naturalization from USCIS to apply for Italian citizenship on the basis of descent. A subsequent negative response from USCIS results in a letter stating that the applicant’s Italian ancestor never naturalized in the United States – and consequently retained their Italian citizenship. As such, the CNE is an important component of the dossier.
When should I request a CNE?
If your ancestor lived in the United States from 1906.
This is the year the USCIS created a centralized database for all US naturalization records – grouping together state and naturalization court records.
If you have not discovered any definitive information regarding your ancestor’s naturalization, you can request a CNE from USCIS.
How do I request a CNE?
The request form for proof of non-naturalization, named Form G-1566 or Request for Certificate of Non-Existence, is accessible on the USCIS website. The form asks for various data about the subject of record and requestor, including:
- Subject’s Name
- Other Names Used (aliases or different spellings)
- Subject’s Date(s) of Birth
- Subject’s City/Country of Birth
The more information you can provide on your ancestor, the more tenable the CNE will be.
Once this form is submitted, USCIS determines whether certain immigration records exist within its database, and issues a Certificate of Non-Existence if no such records are found.
According to USCIS guidelines, one should use Form G-1566 if they are:
- Requesting a Certificate of Non-Existence for a subject of record who is deceased;
- Requesting a Certificate of Non-Existence for a subject of record who is deceased and who was born 100 years ago or more;
- Requesting a Certificate of Non-Existence for a subject of record who is alive and consents to USCIS providing a response to the requestor;
- The subject of record requesting a Certificate of Non-Existence for themselves;
- An individual who received a letter from USCIS Genealogy informing them to file for a Certificate of Non-Existence.
As of April 1, 2024, the current filing fee for requesting a CNE by mail is $330 with an online filing fee of $280.
What is the timeframe for receiving a response from USCIS?
USCIS can take approximately 60 weeks to process the request.
Learn more about becoming an Italian dual citizen with the knowledgeable team at With_Papers
Becoming an Italian dual citizen is a dream for many, but starting the application process can be overwhelming. At With_Papers, we want to help you make your dreams a reality by guiding you every step of the way and informing you about the pros and cons of Italian dual citizenship. Our compassionate team listens to your story and understands your unique needs to create a personalized plan to achieve a successful outcome.
With over 20 years of experience and a founder who has been an Italian dual citizen for over two decades, you can trust us to manage every element of your case effectively. To learn more about becoming an Italian citizen and if it is the right path for you, call us at 917-310-2246 or fill out our contact form or schedule a free consultation today.