Hoping to be pointed in the right direction to confirm an exception to the 1912 rule. I haven't seen this scenario and am hoping someone can provide some resource information.
My grandfather was born March 8, 1905 in Trabia, Sicily and resided in Italy until January 1, 1912; when he arrived in the United States via New York. My grandfather (a minor) was a resident of Italy at the time his father naturalized on or about February 21, 1906. My grandfather married in 1938 in New York. He later moved to California where my mother was born in January 1941.
On or about January 1966, my grandfather formally applied for US Citizenship. On or about January 27, 1966 an application was received and accepted. On that date my grandfather made an oath of allegiance for US citizenship. I was born in 1968.
My question is what, if any, is the impact of my great-grandfather's naturalization, which post-dates my grandfather's birth, on my grandfather's Italian citizenship? Did his Italian citizenship pass to my mother and subsequently me?
Thank you for your assistance.
Pre 1912 - Italian Residency
Re: Pre 1912 - Italian Residency
You need to look at the actual status of your gf. If he did indeed naturalize in 1966, he lost his citizenship at that time. Since your mother was born in 1941, given this scenario, she would have obtained citizenship from him and passed it to you.
BUT, the situation you describe seems to indicate that your grandfather became a citizen through his father’s naturalization since he was a minor child at that time and was born in Italy. I suspect that your grandfather did not actually naturalize in 1966. Rather he may have done what many have done in his position—request a Certificate of Citizenship to prove his status as a US citizen since, if he naturalized with his father, he would have no naturalization certificate in his own name.
So, you need to check carefully the actual certificate received by your gf. If it is an actual Naturalization Certificate showing naturalization in 1966, you qualify through him. If it is a Certificate of Citizenship, the line ended with your great grandfather’s naturalization.
BUT, the situation you describe seems to indicate that your grandfather became a citizen through his father’s naturalization since he was a minor child at that time and was born in Italy. I suspect that your grandfather did not actually naturalize in 1966. Rather he may have done what many have done in his position—request a Certificate of Citizenship to prove his status as a US citizen since, if he naturalized with his father, he would have no naturalization certificate in his own name.
So, you need to check carefully the actual certificate received by your gf. If it is an actual Naturalization Certificate showing naturalization in 1966, you qualify through him. If it is a Certificate of Citizenship, the line ended with your great grandfather’s naturalization.