Introduction:
The petitioner, a U.S. citizen, sought recognition of Italian citizenship jure sanguinis, tracing direct descent from an Italian-born ancestor who emigrated to the United States. The claim was supported by a full set of translated and apostilled documents spanning four generations.
Outcome:
On May 26, 2025, the Court of Palermo granted the request, officially declaring the petitioner an Italian citizen. The Court ordered the Ministry of the Interior and relevant civil registry to update all citizenship records accordingly.
Challenge:
The core challenge arose from inconsistencies in names across records and the legal limitations tied to pre-1948 maternal lineage. Historical laws stripped Italian women of citizenship upon marriage to foreign nationals, preventing transmission of citizenship to descendants.
Action:
The Court relied on Constitutional Court rulings (no. 30/1983 and no. 87/1975) and the Supreme Court’s ruling no. 4466/2009, which clarified the retroactive effect of constitutional illegitimacy. Based on consistent documentation and legal precedent, the Court confirmed the petitioner’s citizenship and mandated registration in Italian civil records.
For the privacy of our clients, all names are fictional, and any identifying details in the judgements have been obscured.