Protection guide
8 signs that something
isn't right.
The Italian citizenship industry has serious operators and operators who aren’t. This guide names no names. It describes patterns. Use it to evaluate any service — including ours.
Updated: April 2026
Before anything
Most services are run by competent people doing real work. Charging more doesn’t mean being dishonest — it can mean more support or more experience. Price alone is not a signal.
The signals that matter are about transparency, promises, and what happens when things don’t go as planned.
They guarantee a timeline
No citizenship service controls the Italian consulate. Timelines depend on the consulate, the comune and your case. If someone tells you “12 months guaranteed,” ask how they plan to control a foreign government.
The price is a single package with no breakdown
A service charging $8,000 “all-inclusive” without telling you how much goes to the consulate (€600), apostilles ($2–26/doc), translations, and them is hiding margins. Government fees are public.
They pressure you to sign now
“This price is only available today,” “spots are filling up.” Citizenship by descent is a right from birth. It doesn’t have limited spots. If a service rushes you, they don’t want you comparing.
They have no verifiable physical address
A legitimate business has a registered address. In the US, check the state business registry. In the UK, Companies House. If the only contact is a web form and WhatsApp, you have nobody to hold accountable.
The reviews all sound the same
Five stars everywhere, similar phrasing, no details. Real reviews mention the consulate, the service type, how long it took. Fake ones say “amazing experience” without saying what was done.
They claim “contacts” at the consulate
Italian consulates are government offices. They don’t give priority to any private service. If someone claims to “expedite” your case through internal contacts, they’re lying or describing something illegal.
The contract has no partial refund clause
If you pay for document prep, translations and monitoring, and want to stop after document prep, you should pay only for work done. “No refunds under any circumstances” isn’t a contract — it’s a trap.
They don’t explain what happens if the application is refused
Applications can be refused: missing document, unresolved discrepancy, expired certificate. A serious service tells you upfront. Anyone who avoids this conversation probably can’t handle it.
What to ask before paying
What’s the cost breakdown? How much goes to the consulate, apostilles, translations, and you?
What happens if my application is refused? Which costs are refundable?
Do you have a registered address and business registration number?
Can I see an example of a certified translation or completed file?
How do you communicate during the process? How often?
What’s your policy if I stop the service halfway through?
Common questions
Is it possible to do everything yourself?
For the consular route, yes. It takes time and awareness that one mistake can restart things. The judicial route requires an Italian attorney.
How do I verify a service is registered?
In the US, search the state business registry. In the UK, Companies House (company-information.service.gov.uk). Ask for the registration number.
What should I do if I’ve been scammed?
Gather contract, emails, payments, delivered work. Check what was actually done — often some work is salvageable. Report to the FTC (ftc.gov) and your state attorney general.
Note
This guide does not reference any specific service. Patterns are based on recurring reports and our experience.
Informational guide, not legal advice.