1992 law?

[mazzini]

I just called the service that deals with the LA Consulate. They had appointments in March! Anyway, the woman threw me for a loop talking about a 1992 law.

My maternal grandfather was born in Italy. He came here in 1924.
My mother was born in the US in 1930. My maternal grandfather was naturalized (looking for his certificate) in 1937.

My mother never renounced citizenship.

I believe I am a Italian citizen.

what is this 1992 law this woman is speaking of?

I am going through a dual citizen service and they never said anything about this.

Makes you wonder about the info you get.

[johnnyonthespot]

Hopefully you were born on or after January 1, 1948. Prior to that date, Italian citizenship was passed only by the father, not the mother.

Prior to August 15, 1992, an Italian who naturalized in another country automatically lost his/her Italian citizenship. Had your grandfather naturalized after that date, for example, he would have - in the eyes of Italy - retained his Italian citizenship, regardless of what the US Oath of Allegiance says to the contrary.

When Italian law was changed effective August 15, 1992, a "window of opportunity" was opened to allow persons who had previously lost their Italian citizenship (such as your grandfather) to easily reclaim it merely by filing a declaration of their desire to do so with a representative of the Italian government (a consulate, embassy, etc). That window of opportunity was forever closed on December 31, 1997.

I think it safe assume your grandfather did not take advantage? Had he done so, your dual citizenship application would be all that much simpler.

[mazzini]

Hi Johnny,

My GF died in 1959. Yes, I was born after 1948.

So I guess I'm ok.

This woman worked for the service used by the Consulate to answer questions. Unbelieveable.