Documents for citizenship
Documents needed for Italian citizenship: birth certificate, criminal record certificate, historical residence certificate, B1 language proof, translations and legalisations.
Quick answer
Applications generally require: a foreign birth certificate translated and legalised, criminal record and pending charges certificates, a historical residence and family status certificate, income documents, a B1 language certificate or exemption, a valid residence permit, the contribution and a revenue stamp.
Foreign documents take the longest: translation, legalisation or apostille, and sometimes registration in Italy. Start with those first.
Prefectures and consulates may request additional documents: keeping orderly, legible copies reduces delays.
Who this guide is for
People preparing a citizenship application who want an ordered document list.
What you need
- Foreign civil status records translated and legalised or apostilled
- Criminal record and pending charges certificates
- Historical residence certificate
- Income documents for the required years
- Language certificate or exemption documents
What happens next
- Check which documents you already hold and which you must request.
- Prepare the digital copies required by the submission portal.
- Check the validity periods of certificates and statements.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Submitting non-compliant translations.
Better approach: Use official translations or the format required by the authority.
Mistake: Sending certificates whose validity has lapsed.
Better approach: Check dates: some certificates must be recent.
Translations, legalisations and apostilles
Foreign records must be translated into Italian and legalised: in countries that joined the Hague Convention, an apostille replaces legalisation. Rules depend on your country of origin — check with the competent Italian consulate.
Related guides
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Translations, legalisations and apostilles
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Income documents
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Citizenship route checker
Helps you navigate citizenship routes and shows requirements and official sources.
Official sources
This page is based on the official sources listed below. Open them to check the most recent information directly with the competent authority.
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ALI Portal — Citizenship (Ministry of the Interior) (opens in a new tab)
Ministero dell’Interno — DLCI · in italiano
Portale telematico ufficiale per presentare e consultare la domanda di cittadinanza italiana (accesso con SPID o CIE).
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Ministry of Justice (opens in a new tab)
Ministero della Giustizia · in italiano
Informazioni ufficiali sui certificati del casellario giudiziale e sui carichi pendenti, richiesti in molte pratiche di cittadinanza.
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Prefectures — Territorial Government Office (opens in a new tab)
Ministero dell’Interno · in italiano
Portale delle Prefetture, competenti su cittadinanza, sportelli unici per l’immigrazione e nulla osta.
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Italian Revenue Agency (opens in a new tab)
Agenzia delle Entrate · in italiano
Amministrazione finanziaria italiana: codice fiscale, dichiarazione dei redditi e certificazioni utili per le pratiche di soggiorno.
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Important notice
The information published on ItalyDocsHub is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures and requirements may change. For current information and advice regarding your specific situation, always consult the relevant official authority or a qualified professional.
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- Content owner
- ItalyDocsHub Editorial Team