Can someone verify my qualification?

[Snareman]

I believe I actually probably don't qualify, but was hoping someone might be able to tell me otherwise. All my great grandparents came over from Italy. As I understand it I can only follow my line down from my great-grandfathers and they had to still be aliens when my grandparents were born.

Paternal Great Grandfather (Dad’s father’s dad)
—Born in Italy 1885
—Immigrated 1902
—1910 census says he was an alien
--1920 census says he was naturalized in 1905
—Grandfather born in 1912
—Father born in 1944

Paternal Great Grandfather (dad’s mom’s dad)
— Born in Italy 1890
—immigrated 1904
—Grandmother born 1917
—1920 census says “papers submitted”
—wife still an alien
—Father born in 1944


Maternal Great Grandfather (Mom’s father’s father)
—Born in Italy 1890
—Immigrated 1903
—1920 census says he was naturalized in 1907
—Grandfather born 1917
—Mother born 1947

Maternal great grandfather (mom’s mother’s father)
—Born Italy 1885
—Immigrated 1914
—naturalized ????
—Grandmother born 1921
—Mother born 1947


I can’t find info on naturalization date of the last one there, although seems like he would have become a citizen by 7 years. What about the 2nd one where it says “papers submitted" in 1920 with my grandmother having been born in 1917?

If I get any credit for it, it does appear that my dad’s mom’s mom was still an alien when my grandmother was born.

Thanks!

[Italiaup]

The 1948 Rule. “A person born before January 1, 1948 can claim Italian citizenship only from his/her father (who was not a naturalized citizen of another country before his/her child’s birth), and a woman can transfer citizenship only to her children born after January 1, 1948 if she was not a naturalized citizen of another country before her child’s birth.”
Your first scenario sounds possible if you can prove your great grandfather never naturalized before your grandfather was born. A census alone isn't good enough. You need to Get an official letter from NARA and USCIS stating they searched and found no records of Naturalization. Then you need to check with local courts and state courts of the previous don t find anything. The best thing to do is find out which Italian counsel is the one you need to apply to and then check their website. They will have posted a list of what is required to obtain dual citizenship.

[Snareman]

Thanks for the reply. Is it worth paying $350 to have one of those Italian family sites go find all the naturalization documents? Or is there an easier or faster way?

Also, the 1920 census says that he immigrated in 1902 and was naturalized in 1905. I thought it took a minimum 5 years to naturalize?

[Italiaup]

I personally wouldn't pay someone. I am going through getting all my papers together and have done it all myself. Contact your local court records for where your great grandfather lived during that time. They may have a copy and then You don't need to go any further. If they don't then your next step is NARA. If they don't have anything then contact USCIS (there is a $65 dollar fee I believe). If you can't find any records You MUST have a certified letter from USCIS and NARA stating no records. You also have to have a letter from his local court records staying no records found. Then you need a certified US Census for the first census after your Grandfather was born showing he wasn't naturalized.

[Italiaup]

I am not sure on the length of time before they could Naturalize.