Citizenship Through Marriage

[lje2]

My grandmother, who was an Italian citizen, married my grandfather, who was not an Italian citizen, in San Francisco in 1907. She never renounced her citizenship during their 40 years of marriage. Would he be considered an Italian citizen?

[CPA21]

NO! Until 1922 under US law the wife immediately acquired the citizenship of her husband at marriage. Your grandmother became a US citizen when she married your grandfather in 1907.

[lje2]

Dear CPA21...Thanks for your reply. You stated that prior to 1922 an Italian citizen automatically became a U.S. citizen at the time of their marriage. Does that mean that under U.S. law she was considered to have renounced her Italian citizenship through marriage? Is there a difference in the law for a marriage after 1922? The Italian Consulate in San Francisco states on their website the following:
"In order to have legal value in Italy a marriage celebrated abroad must be recorded in the Italian Civil Registry. The persons concerned are required to bring the marriage certificate issued by the local authorities, accompanied by the Apostille issued by the Department of State of the State in which the marriage took place....to authorize this Consulate General to forward your certificate to the Italian municipality for registration"

[CPA21]

Only the wife acquired citizenship through marriage.

The San Francisco consulate has been recognizing the citizenship of many people whose parents and grandparents NEVER registered their marriages with the consulate.

Your grandmother became a US citizen in 1907 when she married your grandfather in 1907.

Until 1/1/1948 an Italian woman could not transmit citixenship to her children. Under italian law the children had the citizenship of the father