Consulate data • March 2026
Wait times.
All 10 consulates.
How long citizenship by descent takes at every US consulate. From 2 months to over 3 years.
Volatility: quarterly • Sources: consulate websites • Verified March 2026
The option most people don’t know about
Apply at the comune in Italy
Move to Italy and apply at the local comune. Must process within 180 days by law (DPR 396/2000). In practice: 2-6 months. No Prenot@Mi, no waitlist.
Same eligibility rules (generation limit, chain). Only the location changes.
Wait times by consulate
Sorted fastest to slowest. Jurisdiction is based on your address.
Detroit
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee
Los Angeles
Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada
Houston
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
Washington
District of Columbia
Miami
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Boston
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, West Virginia
Chicago
Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming
New York
New York, Connecticut, Bermuda
San Francisco
Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Sources: consulate websites esteri.it • Verified March 2026
What affects timing
Application volume
NY and SF serve areas with the most Italian-Americans. More applications = longer waits.
Consulate staffing
Smaller consulates (Detroit, DC) have fewer applications and often a better ratio.
Document completeness
Incomplete files get returned. Each cycle adds weeks. Submitting correctly the first time is the best way to speed up.
Law 74/2025
Reduced new applications from 3rd generation onwards. Impact on wait times likely visible from 2027-2028.
What’s still unclear
Effect of Law 74 on queues
The ~60,000 grandfathered applications still need processing. Impact likely visible from 2027-2028.
Centralisation from 2029
Bill 1683 proposes centralising all applications. If passed, it would change the 10-consulate system entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose a faster consulate?
No. Jurisdiction is based on your US address. You can’t choose by wait time. Wrong consulate = application rejected.
Do wait times change?
Yes, frequently. This data is verified quarterly. Demand shifts with application volume, staffing and consulate policies.
Why are New York and San Francisco so slow?
Volume. NY serves millions across 3 states. SF covers Northern California plus 7 other states. Capacity can’t keep up.
Can I move to change my consulate?
Yes, if the move is genuine. You must update AIRE before booking at the new consulate.
Is there an alternative?
Yes: move to Italy and apply at the local comune. Must process within 180 days (DPR 396/2000). In practice: 2-6 months.
While you wait
Consulate timelines aren’t in your control. But your file is.
Related guides
Sources
- Consulate websites (esteri.it) • 10 consulates
- DPR 396/2000
- Direct observation 2024-2026
Current as of March 2026 • Volatility: quarterly