The benefits of obtaining dual citizenship are usually worth the effort.
Obtaining Dual Citizenship is becoming a more and more popular pursuit, and Italy and Ireland are the most popular countries to work with. However, not just anyone can obtain Dual Citizenship. Each country has its own laws and requirements about who is eligible and how to apply, so it is a good idea to research those before beginning the process. Sometimes you may be unsure if you qualify or not because you don’t have enough information about your ancestors. As professional genealogists, we can help you learn more about your ancestors to determine if you are eligible and help you collect the documents needed for your application.
As part of the dual citizenship application process, you’ll be required to obtain very specific types and pieces of documentation for yourself and each family member going back to the ancestor you will be applying through. While each country has different requirements, (and, if you are in the U.S., each consulate also has slightly different requirements), you’ll generally need to obtain birth, marriage, and death records for each direct-line ancestor going back to the one you are applying through. These will usually need to be “long-form” copies, meaning that they show the town of birth (not just the county) and they normally list the parents. You’ll also generally need to obtain naturalization paperwork for your immigrant ancestor, as well as possibly passenger lists and census records, depending on circumstances.
Depending on where you are from and which country you obtain dual citizenship in, having dual citizenship can help you reconnect with your ancestors’ heritage, give you better access to low-cost higher education, provide you with easier business practices and access to tax shelters, give you access to the medical and/or retirement benefits of the other country, accommodate easier travel to other countries, and many more benefits. For example, as of January 2021, having Italian dual citizenship allows you to enter 188 other countries/territories without needing a Visa, or with a Visa on arrival, making travel easier and less expensive.
Overall, the process for obtaining dual citizenship can be long and hard, but the benefits for those who obtain it are usually worth the time and effort.
