Which Service Should You Choose?
Applying for Italian citizenship through marriage can seem straightforward: gather your documents, upload them on the official platform, and wait for the authorities to decide. In reality, the process often proves more complex than expected. Applicants face strict deadlines, vague communications from the authorities, and the risk of dismissal for minor or easily resolvable issues.
This article explains the types of support available, the risks applicants should be aware of, and the importance of choosing the right type of assistance depending on whether your case is regular or problematic.
Public and private services available
If you are preparing to apply, you should know that different services exist to support you:
Patronati (public assistance offices in Italy)
These receive government funding to help citizens with administrative matters, including citizenship by marriage. They are free, but their role is limited: once your application is submitted, you are the one who must monitor the platform, check for updates, and respond to any requests within 10 days.Private agencies (Agenzie di disbrigo pratiche)
These agencies, for a modest fee, help applicants prepare and submit the online application. They are particularly suitable for regular, straightforward cases that do not involve legal disputes. It is important to understand, however, that they do not represent you and cannot communicate directly with the Prefettura, Consulates, or Ministry of the Interior.Specialized law firms
A law firm is not the same as an agency. Lawyers act on the basis of a Power of Attorney, which means they substitute you in the process: preparing the application, monitoring the online platform, managing all communications, and replying directly to the authorities. Because this involves complex legal work and professional responsibility, the fees are higher. Yet in non-regular cases—where rights are at stake, documents are disputed, or deadlines are mishandled—competence and experience are decisive to avoid dismissal and secure a positive outcome.
Why vigilance is essential
The law allows the Italian authorities 730 days (two years) to decide on a citizenship by marriage application. In theory, this provides ample time. In practice, however, the offices often use the platform to issue quick dismissals without giving applicants the proper opportunity to reply.
This is where problems arise:
Unrealistic deadlines – Authorities often allow just 10 days to provide new documents, even if these require months to obtain and legalizations (apostilles, translations) from multiple countries.
Vague objections – Sometimes the communication does not even specify what is missing, leaving applicants in the dark.
Dismissals without warning – Applications are closed instead of giving the applicant a chance to correct minor errors, despite the safeguards provided by Italian administrative law (Law no. 241/1990).
This means that even applicants who carefully prepared their papers may find their application dismissed for reasons that could have been solved easily with clarification or an additional document.
Case study: Mr. Mahali
Mr. Mahali, a Canadian resident married to an Italian citizen, applied for citizenship by marriage after 18 months of marriage with children (Article 5, Law no. 91/1992). He submitted all the required certificates, including criminal records and the language proficiency certificate.
After five months, he received a notification that his application had been dismissed for “insufficient documentation.” The authority claimed one document lacked an Apostille page and vaguely stated another was incomplete. No time was given to correct the issue—just a suggestion to “apply again in the future.”
When he contacted us, almost four weeks had already passed. With a Power of Attorney, we immediately filed a PEC letter reminding the office of its obligations under Law 241/1990. We submitted the Apostille page, demanded clarification on the vague objection, and asserted his right to reply within a reasonable timeframe. This intervention reopened his case and ensured that his application would be properly evaluated.
When cooperation fails
In other cases, clients came to us several months after her application had been dismissed. At that stage, they had two options: file a judicial petition to obtain a court declaration of citizenship, or reapply with proper representation. They often chose the latter since it is less expensive and avoids a judicial dispute with the Italian authorities.
We took over their new applications, reviewed every document, submitted the file through the official platform, and monitored it daily. When questions came, we replied promptly and with legal arguments. The Consulate and Ministry of the Interior appreciated the clarity of our submissions and, in most cases, granted citizenship well before the legal 730-day deadline.
Costs of specialized legal assistance
Representing a client in a citizenship by marriage process requires a high degree of legal and procedural competence. The costs vary depending on the specific characteristics of the case, the demands of the offices involved, and how responsive these offices are. As a general reference, submitting the initial application usually starts at €1200, while monitoring the platform and replying to official requests is billed on an hourly basis. This structure ensures that our clients only pay for the work that is actually required, while receiving tailored legal support throughout the process.
Assistance after a positive decision
Even after obtaining a positive decision from the Italian authorities, the process is not over. The law requires the applicant to take an oath of allegiance within six months of the notification. This final step may seem simple, but in practice it is often mishandled by the competent local offices (the municipality of residence in Italy or the Consulate abroad).
Delays, misplaced communications, or administrative errors can have very serious consequences: if the oath is not taken in time, the entire recognition lapses (decadenza) and all the effort and costs invested are lost. This happens more often than one might expect, particularly for applicants who travel frequently or who have moved during the long application process.
Legal assistance in this last phase can therefore be crucial to ensure that communications are properly managed, that deadlines are respected, and that the final step toward becoming an Italian citizen is completed without risk.
Key takeaways
For regular cases, a private agency (agenzia di disbrigo pratiche) is often the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
For non-regular or problematic cases, or when you know you will travel frequently or have no time to monitor your application process closely, a specialized law firm is essential. Higher fees reflect the responsibility of full representation, the ability to enforce your rights, and the expertise required to manage complex issues.
Costs of legal representation depend on the complexity of the case.
Even after a positive decision, professional support may be needed to ensure the oath of allegiance is carried out in time, preventing the risk of decadenza.
Applying for Italian citizenship by marriage is an important step for your family’s future. Choosing the right type of support—whether an agency for regular cases or a specialized law firm for problematic ones—can make all the difference between a smooth recognition and years of wasted effort.