Italian citizenship by residence or marriage: how do you check the status of your application?

After submitting an application for Italian citizenship by residence or marriage, one of the applicant’s main concerns is understanding what stage the procedure has reached. Knowing whether the application has been received, whether the offices are examining the documentation or whether new communications have been sent makes it possible to follow the process more closely.

Today, applicants can monitor their file through the digital tools provided by the Ministry of the Interior. Knowing how to access them, understanding the purpose of the identification code and knowing whom to contact in case of difficulty helps manage the wait without overlooking important updates.

How to access your citizenship application online

To check the status of the application, the first point of reference is the Ministry of the Interior’s portal dedicated to citizenship procedures. By logging into the personal area with SPID, the applicant can consult the information associated with the application and follow the available updates.

Within the profile, it is possible to check whether the application has been registered by the system, whether any issues have emerged in the documentation submitted and whether the Administration has published communications relating to the procedure. These may include requests for additional documents, appointments at the Prefecture or information on the progress of the review.

Regularly checking the reserved area is especially useful because it allows any required steps to be identified without necessarily waiting for the offices to make direct contact. Checking online does not, however, automatically reveal the outcome of the application: it serves to learn about the updates actually available.

The K10 code: what it is for and when it is assigned

An important element for following the application is the identification code commonly known as K10, or K10/C depending on the type of application. This number allows the Administration to identify the specific application and is particularly useful when requesting information or assistance.

It is important to distinguish the K10 code from the credentials used to log into the portal. The code identifies the application, while SPID provides access to the personal area where the details of the procedure can be consulted. Knowing the identification number therefore does not replace the need to log into the digital service.

The code is not necessarily communicated immediately after the application is submitted. It is generally assigned after the Ministry of the Interior has registered the application, a step that may take a few weeks. Consequently, if the application does not appear in the profile straight away, this does not necessarily mean that it has been rejected or that an error has occurred.

Once available, the K10 or K10/C code can be found in the section dedicated to submitted applications and in the official communications received from the Administration. It is advisable to keep it, as it makes it easier both to consult the application and to request support later on.

Checking your citizenship application through the IO App

In addition to the web portal, the IO App can be used as a complementary tool to receive communications about an Italian citizenship application.

After installing the app and logging in with SPID, users can receive notifications about certain key stages of the procedure. These communications may include, for example, a notice of intent to refuse, a decree granting citizenship, or a decision of rejection or inadmissibility.

Receiving notifications on a smartphone makes it easier to keep track of communications from the Administration. However, the app does not replace consulting the online file: it is advisable to keep checking the personal area of the portal to follow the information available on the application.

Using both tools therefore makes it possible to combine direct consultation of the file with an additional channel for learning about any important communications.

Whom to contact if you cannot check the status of your application

When there are difficulties accessing the portal, the identification code cannot be found or clarification on the procedure is needed, applicants can contact the support service dedicated to citizenship applications.

The Polo Orienta Contact Center, active since February 2024, provides information and support to applicants with a pending procedure. The service operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and can be reached by phone at 06 69000700.

It is also possible to send a message to the certified email (PEC) address poloorientacittadinanza@pecdlci.interno.it.

Before contacting support, it is useful to have the K10 or K10/C number and a valid identity document at hand. If the application has been rejected, the identification code known as the ID token may also be requested.

What to do when the application shows no updates

A citizenship application does not always show frequent changes during the review. The absence of new information on the portal, taken on its own, does not necessarily prove that the application is stuck or that there are irregularities.

It is nonetheless advisable to check the reserved area regularly and pay attention to the notifications received. If the application is not yet visible, it may help to bear in mind that registration and filing take some time before the related identification code becomes available.

The situation is different when the procedure remains unresolved beyond the applicable time limits. In this case, it may be advisable to request information from the Administration and consider the available tools to prompt a response. Depending on the circumstances, a formal reminder, a formal notice (diffida) or, where the conditions are met, an appeal against administrative inaction may be considered.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law.