HOW MUCH DOES AN ITALIAN PASSPORT COST?

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One of the most common questions people ask is: "How much does it cost to get an Italian passport?"

The short answer? It depends on how much time, effort, and patience you’re willing to invest.

There are multiple paths to obtaining Italian citizenship, ranging from fully do-it-yourself (DIY) to full-service assistance. Below is a breakdown of costs at each level, so you can decide which approach works best for you.

Please note that these costs are for a single applicant.

Full Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Route (about $1,500)

If you go fully DIY, handling everything yourself, here are the mandatory minimum expenses:

• Consulate application fee: around $644 (non-refundable, paid at your appointment directly to the consulate)

• Italian passport fee: around $125

• Vital records, apostilles, and translations: $600–$800 (varies by state and how many documents your case requires)

💡 These are not BecomeItaliani’s fees—these are payments required by the Italian consulate and U.S. state and federal agencies to obtain your records and process your application.

This assumes you’re personally tracking down records, requesting amendments for errors, handling translations, and ensuring everything meets Italian legal standards.

While this is the most affordable approach, it's also the most time-intensive. Many DIY applicants spend two years or more collecting documents, fixing errors, and waiting for apostilles—often before they can even submit their application.

Life happens—priorities shift, delays pile up, and the Italian citizenship process gets pushed to the back burner.

Then what happens? Unexpected changes—like the Minor Issue Directive—can happen, altering eligibility rules overnight. Someone who could have secured their Italian passport five years ago might now find themselves disqualified, simply because they waited too long to apply. 

Who Should Consider DIY?

The full DIY route is best for those who have time to spare, strong attention to detail, and the discipline to see the process through—without missing key details that could cause delays or denials.

Take it from those who did the process DIY—BecomeItaliani cofounders Christina Prejean and Anthony Calvanese—getting your Italian citizenship paperwork together can feel like a part-time job, requiring daily effort to move the process forward.

It’s not for everyone, and the reality is that most people who intend to complete it on their own never follow through.

If that doesn’t sound like you, there are other options that provide guidance along the way. 

Full DIY + Tailored Support (about $3,300)

For those who want a structured approach with personalized guidance, options like a Personalized DIY Guide can help by providing:

✔️ Detailed step-by-step instructions tailored to your case
✔️ Document request templates & guidance for specific U.S. and Italian offices
✔️ Discounted consultations with Italian citizenship attorney Christina Prejean

Estimated cost: $1,400–$1,600 in addition to the mandatory minimum expenses, assuming two consultations.

This still requires you to do the legwork, but it eliminates guesswork and accelerates progress compared to starting from scratch—with expert attorney insights guiding you along the way. 

Who Should Consider Full DIY + Tailored Support?

This option is ideal for those who want a clear, structured roadmap and professional input without committing to full-service assistance. It’s a good fit if:

✔️ You want a detailed plan of action with customized guidance for your case

✔️ You prefer a self-paced approach but need professional templates and strategies

✔️ You’re willing to do the work but don’t want to risk costly mistakes

Full-Service Option: Comprehensive Support for Your Italian Citizenship Application (about $7,000)

For those who want professional support at every stage, our Full-Service Package provides a structured, step-by-step approach to preparing your Italian citizenship application. While you will still need to be actively involved—such as signing forms and submitting certain requests due to legal privacy restrictions—we handle the complex and time-consuming aspects of the process to ensure your application is as complete and accurate as possible before submission.

💰 Total cost: About $7,000 per individual (Includes the $1,400–$1,600 in mandatory minimum expenses paid to consulates and U.S. state agencies.)

📌 Discounts available for additional family members applying together.

What’s Included in Our Full-Service Package?

Your case is reviewed and prepared under the guidance of Italian citizenship attorney Christina Prejean. We handle the research, retrieval, and organization of all required U.S. and Italian records, including birth, marriage, death, and naturalization documents. Your case is reviewed and prepared under the guidance of Italian citizenship attorney Christina Prejean.

✔️ Apostilles, certified translations, and name discrepancy reviews (if needed)
✔️ Direct communication with Italian offices to obtain ancestral records
✔️ Step-by-step consulting with an Italian citizenship attorney throughout the process

While only you can submit the application, we ensure everything is thoroughly prepared for the best chance of approval—with attorney-led consulting to help navigate potential obstacles.

👉 Learn more about our full-service package here. 

Visual Breakdown: Cost vs. Support

The more you invest, the more guidance and support you receive. Some people prefer to take full control of the process, while others want professionals to handle it for them. 

Common Cost-Related Questions

Do consulate fees ever change?

Yes. In fact, they doubled in January 2025. Additionally, consulate fees are tied to the euro exchange rate and typically adjust every quarter. The $643.70 fee is current as of this post, but it may fluctuate slightly. 

Can families save money by applying together?

Yes! If multiple family members apply through the same consulate or comune using the same Italian ancestor, they can share many document costs. Additional applicants typically pay $1,500–$1,800 each instead of the full price. 

Other Possible Costs

While the costs outlined above cover most standard cases, some applicants may face additional expenses depending on their specific situation. Here are two common scenarios where extra costs may apply:

Judicial Cases (1948 Rule Cases)

If you are applying through a female ancestor who had a child before January 1, 1948, you will need to go through the Italian court system instead of applying at a consulate or comune. This requires hiring an Italian attorney, with fees typically starting at €4,000 and up, depending on the complexity of the case.

Document Amendments Requiring a Court Order

If any of your required documents contain significant discrepancies (such as name misspellings, date inconsistencies, or missing records), you may need a court order to amend them. Some U.S. states—such as Pennsylvania—require a formal legal process to correct records. If this applies to you, court filing fees and legal costs will be additional and vary based on the state and attorney handling the case. 

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the cost of Italian citizenship. It depends on your timeline, budget, and willingness to navigate the bureaucracy.

Some thrive on the challenge of DIY and love the deep dive into family history. Others prefer the peace of mind that comes with professional help.

Either way, the most important thing is to start—because every year that passes is another year you could have been on a consulate waiting list, collecting documents, and moving forward. 

Disclaimer:

The costs outlined in this article are estimates based on typical cases and current government fees. Your actual costs may vary depending on state document fees, the number of required records, translation costs, consulate requirements, and any necessary legal proceedings (such as court-ordered document amendments or judicial cases for 1948 rule applicants). Prices for professional services may also change over time. For a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific case, consider a consultation.

While Christina Prejean is a licensed attorney, the services provided in these packages are for consulting and document preparation only and do not establish an attorney-client relationship. Clients seeking formal legal representation for court proceedings or other legal matters should consult with an attorney separately.