Italian Citizenship by Marriage: How to Apply (2026 Guide)
If you're married to an Italian citizen, or in a civil union with one, you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage, also known as cittadinanza italiana per matrimonio or jure matrimonii. It's one of the most popular paths to Italian nationality, especially for couples living abroad. The process is detailed, the document requirements are strict, and the legal landscape is shifting in 2026.
This guide covers everything you need to know to apply: who qualifies, what documents you need, how the B1 Italian language requirement works, AIRE registration for couples abroad, and how to submit your application through Italy's ALI portal.
Italian Citizenship by Marriage Requirements: Who Qualifies
You are eligible to apply if all of the following are true:
You are legally married to (or in a civil union with) an Italian citizen
Your marriage is recognized and registered in Italy
You meet the residency-based marriage timeline:
2 years of marriage if you live in Italy
3 years of marriage if you live abroad
These timelines are cut in half if you have biological or adopted children with your Italian spouse
The marriage remains valid both at the time of application and at the moment citizenship is granted
You have a clean criminal record (more on this below)
If you live in Italy, you must be legally resident for the duration of the qualifying period. If you live abroad, your Italian spouse must be properly registered with AIRE.
2026 Legal Update: Why Timing Matters
Across the EU, countries are tightening their immigration and citizenship rules, and Italy is no exception.
What already changed: In 2025, Italy reformed citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). Most new claims are now limited to two generations back. The rules for citizenship by marriage did not change. The 2-year and 3-year waiting periods are still in place.
What keeps coming back: A proposal to change citizenship by marriage comes up in the Italian parliament every single year. The most recent one, Draft Law 1450/2025, did not pass. The main question is always the same: where the spouse lives. Many Italian politicians believe only spouses living in Italy should be entitled to citizenship by marriage. It is likely only a matter of time before a version of this passes.
Bottom line: If you qualify today, especially if you live outside Italy, don't wait. Collecting your documents alone can take 6 to 12 months, and new rules are not always grandfathered in.
The B1 Italian Language Requirement
Since December 2018, all citizenship by marriage applicants must demonstrate Italian language ability at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). B1 is classified as intermediate proficiency. In practical terms, you should be able to handle everyday conversations, understand the main points of clear standard speech, and write simple connected text on familiar topics.
What Is the CILS B1 Cittadinanza Exam?
The good news: you do not need to take the full academic B1 exam. Italy created a simplified version called the CILS B1 Cittadinanza, designed specifically for citizenship applicants. It tests reading, listening, writing, and speaking at a basic level. The exam is widely available in Italy and at select test centers abroad.
Scores are typically released 8 to 12 weeks after the exam, and the physical certificate arrives about 6 months from the exam date. Once you receive your certificate, it never expires. You can also use a CELI B1 or PLIDA B1 certificate, but the CILS B1 Cittadinanza is the most common and most accessible option for citizenship applicants.
How Long Does It Take to Get Ready for the B1 Exam?
Less time than most people think. If you already know polite Italian (greetings, basic phrases, how to sound out words), most Ready Set Italia clients are ready for the B1 Cittadinanza exam after about 3 months of prep.
I learned this the hard way. When I applied for citizenship in Torino, I started with Italian language classes. I spent a whole year trying to reach B1 level in the eyes of my teacher. Then I switched to test prep, learned exactly what was on the exam, and passed quickly, with room to spare on my score.
You need to pass a specific exam, not become fluent in Italian.
Who Is Exempt from the Language Test
You may be exempt from the B1 language requirement if:
You were married to your Italian spouse before April 27, 1983, the husband is the Italian citizen, and that marriage was registered in Italy before March 27, 2025
You have a recognized disability that prevents language certification
You hold an Italian academic diploma or degree from a recognized institution
If you think you might qualify for an exemption, get formal documentation in writing from your consulate or prefecture before submitting your application.
Be careful here. Claiming an exemption you do not clearly qualify for is one of the riskier moves in the whole process. We cover why in the truth about B1 exemptions and why they are high-risk.
Documents You Need (Documenti per Cittadinanza per Matrimonio)
Every applicant must submit:
Italian marriage certificate (issued by the Italian comune where the marriage is registered)
Birth certificate (long form)
Criminal background checks from every country, state, or region where you have lived since age 14, covering both national and local jurisdictions
Valid government-issued ID (passport or equivalent)
CILS B1 Cittadinanza certificate (or approved equivalent)
€250 application fee receipt
Marca da bollo (Italian revenue stamp, currently €16.00)
Documents for US Citizens
If you are a US citizen, the list is long. You will need:
Your birth certificate
Your Italian marriage certificate
Your B1 language certificate
An FBI fingerprint background check
A state background check for every state you have lived in since age 14
Valid identity documents
Documents explaining any name change since birth
Every one of these needs an apostille and a legal Italian translation. There are many nuances, and the right version of each document depends on your situation.
Get one document wrong and you won't find out until your application is reviewed, which can be years after you submit it. By then, you'll have to get new background checks and a new Italian marriage certificate, plus a replacement for whichever document caused the problem. And once you have all of those, you're moved to the back of the queue.
Our Guide to the Italian Citizenship by Marriage Application walks you through every document so you get it right the first time.
Document Order: Certify, Apostille, Translate
All non-Italian documents must be processed in this exact order:
Certified by the original issuing authority
Apostilled under the Hague Convention (or legalized through the Italian consulate if your country is not a Hague signatory)
Translated into Italian by a sworn translator (traduttore giurato) registered with an Italian court
Skipping or reordering any of these steps is one of the most common reasons applications get rejected.
Background Check Timing
Background checks and your Italian marriage certificate must be dated within 6 months of your application submission. Because exam scores can take 8 to 12 weeks and document apostilles can take weeks, do not request your background checks too early. The recommended sequence is:
Take and pass the B1 exam first
Once you have your exam certificate in hand, request your background checks
Get them apostilled and translated
Submit everything together within the 6-month window
How Much Does Italian Citizenship by Marriage Cost?
Most guides only mention the €250 application fee. Here is every cost you should plan for.
CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam: €100
ALI portal application fee: €250
Marca da bollo (revenue stamp): €16
Italian marriage certificate: €16–50
Birth certificate (varies by country): Free–€50
Federal background check (e.g. FBI for US applicants): €15–30
State or local background checks: €15–75 each, per jurisdiction since age 14
Apostille per document: €20–100 each (varies by country and state)
Sworn Italian translation per document: €80–200 each
Total realistic range: €800–3,000+
The biggest variable is background checks. If you have lived in multiple US states, multiple countries, or moved frequently since age 14, your apostille and translation costs climb fast. Batch your translations with the same court-registered translator to reduce per-document rates.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Register Your Marriage with Italy
Your marriage must be officially recorded in your Italian spouse's comune of registration. If you live abroad, this happens through your nearest Italian consulate. If you live in Italy, your spouse handles it directly with their comune. This step is non-negotiable, and it can take several months on its own.
Step 2: Verify AIRE Registration (If Living Abroad)
If you and your Italian spouse live outside Italy, your spouse must be registered with AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero) at the consulate with jurisdiction over your area. The AIRE address must match the address you list on your citizenship application.
Address mismatches between AIRE and the application are a leading cause of processing delays and outright rejections. Have your spouse log in to the AIRE portal and confirm everything is current before you apply.
Step 3: Pass the B1 Italian Test
Register for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam at an authorized test center. Exam dates fill quickly, especially at consulate locations and in large North American cities, so book several months in advance.
Step 4: Apply Through the ALI Portal
Italy's online citizenship application is now submitted through the ALI portal (Applicazione di Lavorazione Istanze), which replaced the older portal interface. You'll create an account, complete the application, upload all your certified, apostilled, and translated documents, and pay the €250 fee plus marca da bollo directly inside the portal.
Already passed B1 and stuck on the ALI portal? Our Italian Citizenship by Marriage Application Guide walks you through every screen of the portal in English, with translations, document checklists, and screenshots of the entire process. Get the Guide
Step 5: Attend Your In-Person Appointment
After your application is reviewed, your Italian consulate (if abroad) or prefettura (if in Italy) will contact you to schedule an in-person appointment. You must bring all original documents. Your Italian spouse is required to attend with you and bring valid Italian ID.
Step 6: Wait for Your Decision
Processing times vary widely by office. Some prefetture and consulates issue decisions within 12 to 18 months. Others can take 2 to 3 years. Once the Ministry issues your decreto di cittadinanza, you have 6 months to appear and take the oath of allegiance, either at your comune (if in Italy) or your consulate (if abroad).
How Long Does Italian Citizenship by Marriage Take?
It depends on where you live. Your mandatory waiting period (1 to 3 years after your wedding) is set by where you live and whether you have children together. Your processing time, anywhere from a few months to 3 years, depends on which consulate or prefettura handles your file. In Torino, where I applied, every application takes the full 3 years. For the full breakdown, read our Italian citizenship by marriage timeline.
What you can control is how long your preparation phase takes.
Marriage registration: Get the marriage officially recorded in Italy. 1 to 3 months.
B1 exam booking: Spots fill fast, especially at consulate locations abroad. Book 3 to 6 months in advance.
B1 exam results: Scores are released 8 to 12 weeks after the exam. The physical certificate arrives about 6 months from the exam date.
Document collection: Birth certificate, marriage cert, valid ID. 1 to 4 months.
Background checks: All countries and states since age 14. 2 to 8 weeks.
Apostilles: Government certification of documents. 2 to 8 weeks.
Sworn translations: Court-registered translator in Italy. 1 to 4 weeks.
ALI portal submission: Once all documents are ready. 1 to 2 days.
Government processing: Consulate or prefettura review. A few months to 36 months, depending on your office.
Oath of allegiance: Must be taken within 6 months of decree issuance. Book immediately.
What to Prioritize Right Now
If you're starting the process today, here's the order that gives you the best chance of avoiding delays:
Confirm AIRE registration is up to date (if abroad)
Register your marriage in Italy if it isn't already
Book your B1 exam early since dates fill 3 to 6 months in advance
Begin gathering vital records (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
Hold off on background checks until you have your B1 certificate
Use only court-registered translators in Italy for the final translation step
Apply under current rules while the abroad pathway is still available
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected or Delayed
Requesting background checks too early. Background checks are only valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If you request them before your B1 certificate arrives, they may expire before you can submit. Get B1 results first, then request background checks. The same goes for your Italian marriage certificate.
Translating before apostilling. The required order is certify, apostille, then translate. A translation done before apostilling will be rejected. This mistake alone can cost you months.
AIRE address mismatch. Your Italian spouse’s AIRE registration address must exactly match the address on your ALI application. Have your spouse log in and verify before you submit.
Using a non-court-registered translator. Translations must be done by a traduttore giurato, a sworn translator registered with an Italian court. Translations from certified agencies or bilingual professionals who are not court-registered in Italy will not be accepted.
Missing the oath deadline. Once your citizenship decree is issued, you have 6 months to appear and take the oath. Miss the window and the citizenship is forfeited. Book your oath appointment the moment you receive your decree.
Inconsistent name across documents. If your name appears differently across your birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, and background checks, address it before submitting. Name discrepancies trigger holds.
Your Italian spouse not attending the in-person appointment. Your spouse must attend with valid Italian ID. This is non-negotiable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about same-sex marriages?
If you are in a same-sex marriage performed outside of Italy and your marriage is properly registered with your Italian spouse's comune, you are fully eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage. The process, timeline, and document requirements are identical to those for opposite-sex couples.
How long does the entire process take?
It depends on where you live. Plan for 2 to 6 years total: a 1 to 3-year waiting period after your wedding, then a few months to 3 years of processing, depending on which office handles your file. Read the full timeline.
What happens if an American marries an Italian citizen?
Marrying an Italian citizen does not make you Italian automatically. It makes you eligible to apply. If you live in the US, you can apply after 3 years of marriage (1.5 years if you have children together). Before applying, your marriage must be registered in Italy, your spouse must be registered with AIRE, and you must pass the B1 exam. Italy and the US both allow dual citizenship, so you keep your US citizenship.
Can I get Italian citizenship by marriage without the language test?
Only in a few narrow cases, such as a marriage before 1983 where the husband is the Italian citizen, a recognized disability, or an Italian school diploma or degree. Almost everyone needs to pass the B1 exam. The good news: if you know polite Italian, most of our clients are ready in about 3 months.
Does a civil union count?
Yes. If you are in a civil union with an Italian citizen, you can apply under the same requirements as married couples, as long as the union is registered in Italy.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. The application is designed to be completed by the applicant directly. That said, if you have a complicated name history (multiple marriages, name changes), prior immigration issues, or a criminal record of any kind, a consultation with an Italian immigration attorney can save you from costly mistakes.
What if my spouse and I divorce during the process?
If you divorce or separate before citizenship is granted, your application is no longer valid and will be rejected. The marriage must remain legally intact through the entire process, all the way to the oath. The death of your Italian spouse does not invalidate the application provided you have children together.
Can I keep my original citizenship?
Italy permits dual (and multiple) citizenship. You will not lose your original nationality by becoming Italian. However, your original country may have its own rules. US citizens, for example, can hold Italian citizenship without affecting their US status, but some countries (like Japan, India, and China) do not permit dual citizenship and may require you to renounce.
What's the difference between jure matrimonii and jure sanguinis?
Jure matrimonii is citizenship through marriage to an Italian citizen. Jure sanguinis is citizenship through Italian ancestry. Marriage applicants apply through naturalization and must meet residency, language, and document requirements. Ancestry applicants are recognized as already-Italian and have a different (though increasingly restricted) pathway.
Need Help Passing the B1 Test?
The CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam is the single biggest hurdle for most marriage applicants, and it's where most people get stuck.
That's where Ready Set Italia comes in. Our B1 Cittadinanza prep program is built specifically for citizenship applicants. You'll get:
Clear lessons focused on the real exam, taught in English by native English speakers who passed the same test
Practice for all four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking
10 full past exams with automatic grading and feedback
Step by step guidance on how and where to register for your exam
Strategies for managing exam-day nerves and timing
We've helped hundreds of people pass the B1 Cittadinanza exam and move one step closer to Italian citizenship. B1 Cittadinanza clients can add our complete Guide to the Online Italian Citizenship by Marriage Application for €49 in their first week, including line-by-line translations of every screen of the ALI portal.
Final Thoughts
Italian citizenship by marriage is one of the more accessible paths to dual citizenship, but it rewards preparation. Register your marriage early, confirm AIRE is current, book your B1 exam well in advance, follow the certify-apostille-translate order exactly, and submit while current rules are still in place.
With the right plan and the right preparation, you can move through the process confidently and take your oath with everything in order.
Passing the B1 exam is part of the process. Not sure you're ready for it? Take our free 2-minute B1 readiness check to see where you stand.
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