Italy to Re-Examine 'Minor Issue' Cases
Italian citizenship applications rejected only because of the 'minor issue' can now be re-examined. Who this affects and how to request a review from Canada.
What Happened
Following a 2026 ruling by Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation (Joint Civil Chambers) and an Interior Ministry circular dated August 10, 2026, the Italian Consulate General in Montreal says it may re-examine citizenship applications that were rejected solely under the earlier 'minor issue' interpretation.
What It Could Mean
- Some Canadians whose Italian citizenship applications were refused may now get a second review.
- It applies only to applications rejected for the 'minor issue' reason, not to other refusals.
- Other consulates may follow their own process. Montreal has published its procedure.
What’s Next
If this affects you, request a re-examination from the consulate that rejected your application, and watch for further instructions from Italian authorities.
What Is the “Minor Issue”?
For several years, Italian consulates rejected some citizenship-by-descent applications where an Italian ancestor became a citizen of another country, such as Canada, while their child in the line of descent was still under 18. The argument was that the child lost Italian citizenship along with the parent, which broke the chain.
This interpretation affected many Canadian families, because many Italian emigrants became Canadian citizens while raising young children.
What Has Changed
In 2026, Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation (Joint Civil Chambers) issued judgment No. 24045/2026 on this question. On August 10, 2026, the Interior Ministry followed with Circular No. 65050.
The Italian Consulate General in Montreal now says it may re-examine applications that were rejected solely because of the earlier “minor issue” guidance.
Who This Affects
You may benefit if:
- you applied for recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, and
- your application was rejected only because of the “minor issue.”
If your application was rejected for another reason, such as missing documents or the 2025 generational limit, this update does not help you.
How to Request a Re-Examination (Montreal)
The Montreal consulate asks applicants to email its Citizenship Office at [email protected] with this subject line:
“Richiesta riesame istanza cittadinanza minor issue – [first name], [last name], [place of birth], [date of birth]”
The consulate will notify you of the outcome after reviewing your file.
Applied through Toronto, Vancouver, or another consulate? Check that consulate’s citizenship page, or contact its citizenship office, to ask how it is handling re-examination requests.
Before You Write
- Find your original application details and the rejection notice.
- Confirm the rejection was based on the “minor issue” and nothing else.
- Keep copies of everything. Consulates do not return original documents.
For the full picture of Italy’s current rules, see our Italian citizenship by descent guide.
Official Source
This update is informational only and is not legal advice. Italian citizenship cases depend heavily on family history and dates. Confirm your situation with the relevant consulate, and consult a lawyer who specializes in Italian citizenship.
What Canadians Can Do Today
Update Log
- Montreal consulate's re-examination process confirmed and published here.
- Italian Interior Ministry issued Circular No. 65050 following the Cassation ruling.
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