Once your Italian citizenship by descent is officially recognized, whether through a consulate, a comune, or a court judgment, one of the first things you must do is register with AIRE. This is not optional. Italian law requires all Italian citizens living abroad to register, and failing to do so can create problems with passport renewals, voting rights, and your official status as a citizen.
What AIRE Is
AIRE stands for Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all’Estero, which translates to the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad. It is the official database maintained by the Italian government that tracks Italian citizens who live outside of Italy. The registry is managed jointly by individual comuni (each citizen is registered in a specific comune) and the Ministry of the Interior.
AIRE was established by Law No. 470 of October 27, 1988, and its implementing regulation (D.P.R. 323/1989). Registration is mandatory for any Italian citizen who resides abroad for more than 12 months, who was born abroad and has always resided abroad, or who transfers their residence from Italy to a foreign country.
Why AIRE Registration Matters
AIRE registration is your formal link to the Italian administrative system as a citizen living abroad. Without it, you effectively do not exist in the Italian system despite being a recognized citizen. Specifically, AIRE registration:
Enables passport issuance and renewal. Italian consulates issue passports based on AIRE records. If you are not in AIRE, you will have difficulty obtaining or renewing your Italian passport.
Establishes your voting rights. Italian citizens abroad can vote in Italian elections and referendums. Voter rolls for overseas citizens are drawn from AIRE. Without registration, you will not receive ballots.
Connects you to consular services. Emergency assistance, document issuance, and other consular services are provided based on AIRE registration. Your assigned consulate is determined by your AIRE-registered address.
Fulfills your legal obligation. Registration is required by law. While enforcement is not aggressive, non-registration can complicate future interactions with Italian authorities, including property purchases, inheritance matters, and tax filings.
Creates your official Italian residency record abroad. AIRE establishes where Italy considers you to be residing, which affects tax obligations and which consulate has jurisdiction over your affairs.
How to Register
AIRE registration is handled by the Italian consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. The United States is divided into consular jurisdictions, each covering specific states. You register with the consulate responsible for the state where you live.
When to Register
If your citizenship was recognized by a consulate, you are typically registered in AIRE automatically as part of the recognition process. The consulate adds you to the registry at the time of recognition.
If your citizenship was recognized through a comune (the residency-based path in Italy), you were registered in the comune’s anagrafe (population registry) during the process. When you return to the United States, you need to notify your Italian consulate so they can transfer your registration to AIRE. You must do this within 90 days of establishing (or re-establishing) residence abroad.
If your citizenship was recognized through a court judgment (1948 case or other judicial recognition), you register with the comune that transcribed the court judgment into the civil registry. Once that is complete, you then register with your consulate for AIRE.
Required Documents
The specific documents required vary by consulate, but typically include:
Your Italian birth certificate (certificato di nascita) or the equivalent civil registry record confirming your citizenship. A valid form of identification (U.S. passport or driver’s license). Proof of your U.S. address (utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement). Your codice fiscale (Italian tax identification number), if already obtained. A completed AIRE registration form, which the consulate provides.
Some consulates have moved to online registration through the Fast It portal (serviziconsulari.esteri.it). Others still require in-person or mail-in registration. Check your specific consulate’s website for current procedures.
Processing
After you submit your registration, the consulate communicates with the comune where your citizenship is recorded. The comune updates its records, and you are officially added to AIRE. This process can take several weeks to a few months depending on the consulate’s workload and the responsiveness of the comune.
Once registered, you will be associated with a specific comune (typically the comune of your Italian ancestor, or the comune where your citizenship was transcribed) and a specific consulate (based on your U.S. address).
Keeping AIRE Updated
AIRE registration is not a one-time event. You are required to update your registration whenever:
You change your address within the same consular jurisdiction or move to a different one. If you move to a different state that falls under a different consulate, you need to notify both the old and new consulates.
Your family status changes: marriage, divorce, birth of children, or death of a spouse. These events need to be reported to keep your AIRE record current.
You move to Italy. If you establish residence in Italy, you need to cancel your AIRE registration and register with the anagrafe of the Italian comune where you will live. This is done at the comune level when you take up residence.
You move to another country. If you leave the United States for another country, you register with the Italian consulate in your new country and your AIRE record is transferred.
Updates can typically be made through the Fast It portal, by contacting your consulate directly, or in person.
AIRE and Your Comune
Every AIRE-registered citizen is connected to a specific Italian comune. This is usually the comune that processed your citizenship recognition or where your Italian ancestor’s records are held. This connection matters because the comune is the source for your Italian vital records, certificati, and other official documents you may need throughout your life as an Italian citizen.
If you need an Italian birth certificate for any purpose (mortgage application in Italy, marriage registration, etc.), the request goes to your registered comune. Maintaining a good relationship with this comune, or having a representative who can interact with them on your behalf, is valuable in the long term.
Common Questions
Can I register in AIRE before my citizenship is recognized? No. AIRE is for recognized Italian citizens only. You must complete the citizenship recognition process first.
What if I do not know which consulate covers my area? The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website lists all consulates in the United States and their jurisdictions. PortaleItaly can also help you identify the correct consulate.
Is there a fee for AIRE registration? No. AIRE registration itself is free.
What happens if I never register? You remain a citizen, but you will face practical difficulties with passport issuance, voting, and consular services. You may also encounter complications if you later want to purchase property in Italy, handle inheritance matters, or interact with Italian authorities in any capacity.
Can my children be registered? Yes. If your minor children are Italian citizens (through your recognized citizenship), they should also be registered in AIRE. You can typically register them at the same time as yourself.
Working with PortaleItaly
PortaleItaly guides clients through AIRE registration as part of our post-recognition support. We help you identify the correct consulate, prepare the required documentation, navigate the Fast It portal or consulate-specific procedures, and ensure your registration is properly completed. We also assist with ongoing AIRE updates as your circumstances change. Contact us to discuss your citizenship journey from recognition through full integration into the Italian system.