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Election of citizenship following recognition of filiation at the age of majority

In the event that the recognition or judicial statement concerns an adult, he or she shall acquire Italian citizenship only if within one year of the measure he or she expresses his or her intention to do so, through an “election of citizenship” (art. 2, paragraph 2 of Law no. 91/92). Pursuant to art. 3 of Presidential Decree no. 572 of 12/10/1993 (Regulation implementing Law no. 91/92) the declaration of election of citizenship referred to in art. 2, paragraph 2 of the aforementioned law must be accompanied by the following documents which constitute the prerequisite for requesting the benefit in question:

  • birth certificate (for the purpose of identifying the person concerned);
  • certificate of recognition or certified copy of the sentence declaring paternity or maternity;
  • parent’s certificate of citizenship.

Finally, it should be noted that the judicial statement of recognition may have been made abroad: in this case, the calculation of the one-year period for making the declaration of election of citizenship must be carried out from the date on which the foreign measure is made effective in Italy.