What is citizenship by descent?

Citizenship by descent (CBD) is the legal right to acquire a country's citizenship through one's ancestors, based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). Over 90 countries offer some form of citizenship by descent.

Which countries offer citizenship by descent?

Over 90 countries offer CBD. The most accessible include Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Spain, and Portugal.

How long does citizenship by descent take?

Timelines vary by country. Italy: 12-36 months. Ireland: 9-18 months. Poland: 12-24 months. Germany: 12-30 months. Mexico: 6-14 months. Brazil: 6-12 months.

Can I have dual citizenship?

In most cases yes. The US, Canada, UK, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and most EU states permit dual citizenship. Notable exceptions: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, China, Singapore.

How much does citizenship by descent cost?

Costs vary by country. Typical all-in fixed fees: Italy $8,000-$25,000, Ireland $4,000-$9,000, Poland $5,000-$15,000, Germany $8,000-$25,000, Mexico $3,000-$8,000, Brazil $3,000-$7,000.

Is the consultation confidential?

Yes. Every consultation is confidential. Nothing you share can be disclosed without your consent. When you're matched with a professional in our network, that professional's own confidentiality and privilege policies apply to your engagement.

How long does the consultation take?

The first consultation is 90 minutes for video and in-office meetings, or 60 minutes for phone calls.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. The first 90 minutes are confidential, candid, and free of charge. No retainer required.

What should I prepare for the consultation?

Bring whatever you know about your ancestor: full name, date and place of birth, country of origin, emigration date, naturalization status, and any documents you already have.

How quickly will I hear back after requesting a consultation?

We reply to every consultation request within 24 hours, in your timezone.

What consultation formats are available?

We offer private video consultation (90 minutes), in-office meeting (90 minutes, available in New York, Lisbon, and Mexico City), and telephone call (60 minutes).

Do I need to commit to anything after the consultation?

No. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.

What languages are consultations available in?

Case leads are available in seven languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Polish.

Last reviewedJuly 4, 2026·Ancestra editorial team

ItalianVery common

The Rossi surname

Derived from 'rosso' meaning 'red' — originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

Origin: Italy

Northern Italy (especially Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Piedmont)

Origins & history

Rossi is the most common surname in Italy, with over 50,000 families bearing the name. It originated as a descriptive nickname in the medieval period and became hereditary by the 13th-14th centuries.Large Rossi populations in the United States (especially New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut), Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Canada — descendants of Italian emigrants from the 1880s-1920s.

Spelling variants

RussoRosselliRossettiRossiniDe Rossi

Surname variants often arose from regional pronunciation differences, transliteration between alphabets, or Americanization at immigration. Check all variants when searching records.

Genealogy research tips

1Search Italian civil registration records (registri dello stato civile) from the ancestor's comune of origin — available on FamilySearch and Antenati.san.beniculturali.it.

2If your Rossi ancestor emigrated before 1900, check ship manifests on Ellis Island's online database for the port of departure and hometown.

3Rossi is so common that you'll need the exact comune — searching all of Italy will return too many results. Family oral history, church records, or naturalization documents often reveal the town.

4Check the anagrafe (civil registry) of the comune for stato di famiglia (family status) records, which list entire households.

Citizenship by descent

If you have a Rossi ancestor who was an Italian citizen at the time of their child's birth, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) — with no generational limit. The key is proving the chain was never broken by naturalization before the next generation's birth.Read the Italy citizenship guide

Notable bearers

•Valentino Rossi (motorcycle racer)
•Francesco Rossi (various historical figures)
•The Rossi family of Renaissance Florence

Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Rossi mean?

Derived from 'rosso' meaning 'red' — originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

Where does the Rossi surname come from?

Rossi originates from Italy, specifically Northern Italy (especially Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Piedmont). Rossi is the most common surname in Italy, with over 50,000 families bearing the name. It originated as a descriptive nickname in the medieval period and became hereditary by the 13th-14th centuries.

Can I get citizenship if my last name is Rossi?

Related surnames

Russo

Italian (Southern)

Southern Italian variant of Rossi — 'red-haired one.' Also a Sicilian form derived from the Greek 'Erythros' via Byzantine influence.

Read guide

Esposito

Italian (Neapolitan)

Literally 'exposed' — given to foundlings (esposti) abandoned at churches or orphanages. A 'surnames of the foundlings' (cognomi dei trovatelli).

Read guide

Murphy

Irish (Gaeilge)

Anglicized form of Ó Murchadha ('descendant of Murchadh'), where Murchadh means 'sea warrior' or 'sea battler.'

Read guide

Kelly

Irish (Gaeilge)

Anglicized from Ó Ceallaigh ('descendant of Ceallach'), where Ceallach likely means 'bright-headed' or 'warrior.'

Read guide

Origins & history

Genealogy research tips

1Search Italian civil registration records (registri dello stato civile) from the ancestor's comune of origin — available on FamilySearch and Antenati.san.beniculturali.it.

2If your Rossi ancestor emigrated before 1900, check ship manifests on Ellis Island's online database for the port of departure and hometown.

3Rossi is so common that you'll need the exact comune — searching all of Italy will return too many results. Family oral history, church records, or naturalization documents often reveal the town.

4Check the anagrafe (civil registry) of the comune for stato di famiglia (family status) records, which list entire households.

Citizenship by descent

Read the Italy citizenship guide