Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis): Translating Ukrainian Documents

600 euros for the application fee, 6-12 months waiting at the comune, and a chain of documents from your great-grandfather to you - each one apostilled and sworn-translated. That’s what getting Italian citizenship by descent looks like in 2026. One mistake in a birth certificate translation and the comune sends your entire case back. A guy on a forum described flying to Italy twice because the translator confused his patronymic with a middle name on the first try. Let’s figure out how to collect and properly translate every document so you don’t end up in that situation.

What is jure sanguinis and who qualifies¶

Jure sanguinis (Latin for “by right of blood”) is the principle that gives you Italian citizenship through a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who was an Italian citizen. Not through residency, not through marriage - through bloodline.

The key detail: the ancestor in the chain must have been born in Italy and must not have renounced Italian citizenship before the birth of the next generation. If your grandfather was born in Palermo, emigrated to Ukraine, but did NOT take Ukrainian citizenship before your father was born - the chain is unbroken.

What changed after Law 74/2025¶

On March 28, 2025, the Tajani Decree (Decreto-Legge 36/2025) came into force, later becoming Law 74/2025. The main change - a two-generation limit:

• Parent born in Italy - you qualify
• Grandparent born in Italy - you qualify
• Great-grandparent or further - you do NOT qualify anymore (after March 27, 2025)

Previously there was no generational limit at all. People were getting citizenship through great-great-grandparents who emigrated from Italy in the 1890s.

If you filed your application before March 27, 2025 (at a consulate, comune, or court) - your case is processed under the old rules, even if your ancestor is beyond the second generation.

Full document list for jure sanguinis¶

You need to build a documentary chain from the Italian ancestor to yourself. Each link consists of birth and marriage certificates for every generation.

Documents from the Italian ancestor¶

1. Atto di nascita (birth certificate) of the Italian ancestor - requested from the comune where they were born
2. Certificato di non rinuncia - a certificate confirming the ancestor did not renounce Italian citizenship (issued by the comune in Italy)
3. Marriage certificate of the ancestor (if married)

Documents from Ukraine (for each generation in the chain)¶

4. Birth certificate of each descendant in the chain (from the ancestor’s child down to you)
5. Marriage certificate of each generation (if applicable)
6. Death certificate of ancestors (if needed to confirm the chain)

Your personal documents¶

7. Birth certificate (with apostille and traduzione giurata)
8. Marriage certificate (if applicable)
9. Criminal record certificate from Ukraine (with apostille and translation)
10. Passport (copy)
11. Permesso di soggiorno or other residence permit (if applying in Italy)

Plus a receipt for the 600 euro application fee (since January 1, 2025 - it used to be 300 euros).

Translation requirements: traduzione giurata and asseverazione¶

Every Ukrainian document submitted to Italian authorities must go through three steps:

Step 1: Apostille in Ukraine¶

An apostille is placed on the original document in Ukraine. Who issues it depends on the document type:

• Ministry of Justice - for court documents, archives, notary documents, civil registry (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Ministry of Education - for educational documents
• Ministry of Internal Affairs - for criminal record certificates

Cost of an apostille in Ukraine - from 406 UAH per document. Timeline - 5-10 business days.

Step 2: Translation into Italian¶

The translation must be done by a qualified translator. Two options:

• In Ukraine - a translator does the translation, then it needs to be certified through the Italian consulate or go through asseverazione once you’re in Italy
• In Italy - find a traduttore giurato (sworn translator) who does both the translation and the oath at court in one go

The second option is simpler: the translator binds the translation with a copy of the original, goes to the cancelleria (court clerk’s office), and swears an oath on the accuracy of the translation. You get a ready-to-submit document.

Step 3: Asseverazione (oath at court)¶

Asseverazione is the procedure where the translator swears before a judge or court clerk that the translation is accurate and complete. Without asseverazione, the translation has no legal force in Italy.

For the jure sanguinis procedure at a comune - traduzione giurata (translation with asseverazione) is mandatory for every foreign document.

How much it costs: breakdown by category¶

Average budget for a 2-generation chain (parent born in Italy): 800-1,200 euros total, including translations of 4-6 documents.

For a 3-generation chain (grandparent born in Italy) - 1,200-1,800 euros, because there are more documents in the chain.

Need a preliminary translation to understand a document’s contents before ordering an expensive traduzione giurata? ChatsControl will produce a draft translation from Ukrainian to Italian in minutes - and for official submission you’ll only need asseverazione through the court.

Where to apply: consulate, comune, or court¶

Option 1: Comune in Italy (fastest)¶

You come to Italy, register your residenza (residence registration) at your chosen comune. You’ll need a rental contract or ospitalità (a hospitality letter from your host). Vigili (municipal police) verify your address within 45 days.

After registration, you submit your application at the Ufficio di Stato Civile (civil registry office). Processing time - 3 to 12 months, depending on the comune. Small comuni in southern Italy often process faster - 3-4 months.

Downside: you need to physically live in Italy for the entire processing period.

Option 2: Italian consulate in Ukraine¶

You apply at the Ambasciata d’Italia a Kyiv. No need to travel to Italy, but processing takes up to 24 months (that’s the official maximum - in reality it can be longer). Plus the wait for an appointment slot can be several months.

Option 3: Court in Italy¶

If the consulate is dragging, you can file with the Tribunale Ordinario di Roma. You’ll need a lawyer, extra costs (1,500-3,000 euros for legal fees), but sometimes it’s faster than waiting for the consulate. Timeline - 12-24 months.

Common document mistakes¶

Name transliteration. “Олексій” can become “Oleksii”, “Oleksiy” or “Olexiy” - and if the name is spelled differently across documents, the comune can reject your application. Check in advance that the transliteration is consistent everywhere.

Patronymic. Ukrainian documents include a patronymic (father’s name), Italian documents don’t. The translator must correctly indicate it as “patronimico” or “secondo nome” rather than confusing it with the surname.

Old Soviet documents. If a birth certificate was issued in the USSR - it’s still valid, but you’ll need a reference from the civil registry archive confirming the record exists. Plus the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Justice.

Certificato di non rinuncia. Some comuni in Italy request this document themselves, others ask you to bring it. Check in advance with the specific comune where you’re applying.

Document validity periods. Criminal record certificates are valid for 6 months. Birth and marriage certificates don’t expire, but some comuni ask for “fresh” extracts (no older than 6 months).

FAQ¶

How much does Italian citizenship by descent cost?¶

The application itself is 600 euros (since 2025). Plus translations and apostilles - another 200-1,200 euros depending on how many documents are in your chain. If you’re going through court - add 1,500-3,000 euros for a lawyer. Realistic total budget - 800 to 3,500 euros.

Can I get citizenship through a great-grandparent after 2025?¶

No, unless you filed your application before March 27, 2025. Law 74/2025 limited jure sanguinis to two generations - only a parent or grandparent born in Italy. Applications filed before that date are processed under the old rules.

Where should I get traduzione giurata for Ukrainian documents?¶

Two options. First - find a sworn translator (traduttore giurato) in Italy who’ll do the translation and asseverazione at court right away. Second - get the translation done in Ukraine and then have it certified through the Italian consulate or do asseverazione after arriving in Italy.

How long does citizenship recognition take?¶

At a comune in Italy - 3 to 12 months (small comuni are faster). Through a consulate - up to 24 months officially. Through court - 12-24 months. The fastest route is to come to a small comune in southern Italy, register, and apply there.

Can Ukraine ban dual citizenship with Italy?¶

As of 2026, Ukraine doesn’t officially recognize dual citizenship but doesn’t penalize it either. A law on multiple citizenship has been discussed but hasn’t been passed. Getting Italian citizenship through jure sanguinis is recognition of an existing right, not naturalization. In practice, thousands of Ukrainians hold passports from other countries without any consequences.