In June 2025, the Italian Ministry of the Interior issued Circular No. 59/2025, (article here) aiming to clarify the procedures for registering minor children following the recent reform introduced by Law 74/2025.
For many families—especially those abroad—this l Circular 59 2025, could have eliminated some of confusion. But does it truly deliver clarity? Only partially.
Key Clarifications: Forms, Timing, and Method to Register Minors
The circular confirms an important legal shift: a minor born outside Italy no longer automatically acquires Italian citizenship jure sanguinis at birth. Instead, citizenship is granted “from the day after all legal requirements are met.” This marks a significant departure from past practice.
To formalize this process, the Ministry now requires parents to submit a Declaration of Will, and only in person. The updated forms—based on the previously used “Formula 79″—are to be signed before a civil status officer. These documents are now essential for initiating citizenship registration for minors.
What the Circular Fails to Clarify: The 2026 Grace Period- Deadline
Despite these operational tools, the circular stops short of resolving the most contested issue: who is actually entitled to use the May 31, 2026 transitional deadline? (read our related article)
Rather than offering an official interpretation, the Ministry simply provides two forms:
- One for children of Italian citizens by birth under the general rule (Art. 4, para 1-bis), who must register within one year of birth.
- One for children whose parents gained citizenship under the exceptional provisions of Art. 3-bis—those who applied by March 27, 2025.
This choice not to clarify the law’s scope leaves families—and local officials—without clear guidance on whether the transitional deadline applies broadly or only to this narrow category.
Why a Strict Interpretation Is Safer
By avoiding any interpretative stance, the government implicitly signals that the literal reading of the law is the safest. In other words, only families who fall clearly within the special cases mentioned in Article 3-bis should rely on the 2026 deadline.
Some experts suggest a more generous interpretation might prevail in practice, but until that view is confirmed by courts or legislation, it’s a legal risk. For now, adhering to the one-year rule remains the most defensible strategy.
What Families Should Do Now
If your child was born after you acquired or reacquired Italian citizenship, take the following steps immediately:
- Book an appointment with the local consulate or town hall to make your Declaration of Will in person.
- Use the appropriate form depending on your specific legal situation.
- Maintain complete documentation showing your efforts to comply within the required timeframes.
Until the law is clarified further, a proactive and cautious approach is the only way to safeguard your child’s path to citizenship.
