How I Obtained Italian Citizenship Through the Italian Courts as a U.S. Attorney

Obtaining Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is often described as a bureaucratic and document-intensive process—and that description is accurate. But it is also a deeply rewarding journey, especially for those seeking a genuine connection to their heritage and long-term flexibility in an uncertain world.

As a U.S.-licensed attorney, a former military servicemember, and now a dual U.S.–Italian citizen, I successfully obtained Italian citizenship through the Italian court system. That experience—combined with years of trial practice and navigating complex bureaucracies—now informs how I assist Italian-Americans nationwide and abroad with the U.S.-side of the jure sanguinis process.

A Longstanding Motivation to Connect With Italy

My interest in Italian citizenship did not begin as a legal project—it began as a personal goal. Since high school, I was motivated by the idea of building a deeper connection with Italy and one day splitting time between the United States and Italy, living part of each year in each country.

That vision—what many call “snow birding” between the U.S. and Italy—became a long-term objective that eventually turned into a structured legal process grounded in Italian citizenship law.

Experience Navigating Bureaucracy as a Trial Lawyer and Veteran

Before pursuing Italian citizenship, I had already spent years navigating complex systems.

As a trial lawyer, I routinely deal with:

·       Government agencies

·       Formal document requests

·       Evidentiary requirements

·       Strict procedural rules

Before my legal career, my military service further reinforced discipline, persistence, and the ability to work through layered bureaucratic processes.

Those skills proved directly applicable to the jure sanguinis process.

Gathering Records Across Multiple U.S. States

My jure sanguinis case required collecting historical records from multiple U.S. jurisdictions, including:

·       New York

·       Connecticut

·       Florida

I personally handled the process of:

·       Requesting certified birth, marriage, and death certificates

·       Resolving inconsistencies in records

·       Tracking down hard-to-find historical documents

In addition, I obtained my Certificate of Non-Existence of Naturalization (CONE) directly from USCIS, a step that is often confusing and time-consuming for applicants.

Apostilles and Document Authentication

After gathering U.S. records, I personally managed the apostille process, ensuring that all documents were properly authenticated for use in Italy.

This step is critical and frequently misunderstood. In my current legal practice, I often represent Italian clients with legal matters in the United States, which similarly requires obtaining U.S. records and navigating the apostille process. That overlap reinforced how transferable—and valuable—this experience is.

Working Directly With My Comune and Church Records

As part of my own citizenship process, I dealt directly with my local comune in Italy, both:

·       From the United States, and

·       In person in Italy

Communicating using mid-level, B1-adjacent Italian, I navigated municipal procedures firsthand.

To further support my application, I also obtained church (ecclesiastical) records, which served as additional corroboration of family lineage and helped backstop the civil documentation.

Retaining an Italian Lawyer and Litigating in Italian Court

Once my documentation was complete, I retained an excellent Italian-licensed attorney, who successfully pursued recognition of my citizenship through the Italian courts.

As a U.S. trial lawyer, I found the process fascinating. We discussed:

·       Procedural differences between Italian and U.S. courts

·       How written advocacy plays a central role in Italian litigation

·       The pace and structure of judicial recognition cases

I also had the opportunity to observe limited court hearings in Italy, further deepening my understanding of how Italian judicial proceedings function in practice.

How This Experience Shapes My Work With Italian-Americans

This mix of experience—military service, trial practice, U.S. bureaucracy, Italian municipal interaction, and Italian court proceedings—places me in a unique position to assist Italian-Americans.

At Biazzo Law PLLC, I focus on helping clients with:

·       Obtaining U.S. vital records

·       Securing CONE certificates

·       Managing apostilles

·       Organizing documentation for consular or court-based recognition

I am supported in this work by Marco Carbone, our Chief Operating Officer, a native Italian and dual U.S.–Italian citizen, whose cultural insight and familiarity with Italian systems are invaluable to clients navigating this process.

Helping Italian-Americans Nationwide and Abroad

Drawing from my own experience, I now assist Italian-Americans nationwide and internationally with the U.S.-side preparation required for jure sanguinis cases, while coordinating with Italian-licensed attorneys when Italian legal representation is required.

Whether a client ultimately applies through an Italian consulate or pursues recognition through the Italian courts, proper preparation in the United States is essential.

Contact Biazzo Law PLLC

If you are considering Italian citizenship by descent and want guidance from someone who has personally navigated the process—from U.S. records to Italian courts—contact Biazzo Law PLLC to schedule a consultation.

📞 Phone:(703) 297-5777; (914) 262-4946

📧 Email:corey@biazzolaw.com

alyssa@biazzolaw.com 

Important Disclaimer

Biazzo Law PLLC and its attorneys are not licensed to practice law in Italy and do not provide legal advice regarding Italian law. We are U.S.-licensed attorneys and provide legal services related to U.S. documentation, vital records collection, and apostille processing, as well as strategic guidance based on personal experience.

For matters involving Italian law, Italian court proceedings, or legal advice under Italian law, we can refer clients to appropriately licensed Italian attorneys. No attorney-client relationship for Italian legal services is formed unless and until you separately retain Italian counsel.