Passports

Passports: Issuance and Renewal

General Information

The rules concerning the issuance and renewal of passports are embodied in the Law n. 1185 of November 21, 1967 and in subsequent Laws and Ministerial Circulars relating to the new aspects of the Domestic Relations Code and to the new simplified procedures enacted by the Italian Administration.

Italian nationals are free, unless otherwise stated by law, to leave and reenter the Italian territory when holding a valid passport - or any other travel document recognized by the foreign Country they intend to enter (an I.D. is accepted in lieu of a passport for traveling within the European Union).

Be aware that art.24 of the above mentioned Law requires Italian citizens leaving the Country to hold at all times a valid passport (or any other valid travel document). Inobservance will be punished by law with fines and according to the provisions of the Italian Penal Code in case of severe transgressions. As a matter of fact, Italian nationals residing abroad have de facto left the Italian territory, consequently they must be always in possession of a valid passport updated with the required tax. This norm applies also to dual citizens.

In Italy, the "Questure" are empowered to issue and renew passports to nationals residing on the territory. Abroad this responsibility is given to Consular offices on whose territorial jurisdiction the applicant resides. If the applicant is not a resident of the Consular office where he applies, this office must obtain a permission and authority (nulla osta/delega) to issue/renew a passport from the "Questura" or other Consular office where the applicant is legally registered as a resident.

Please keep in mind that the issuance and renewal of a passport is subject to the submission of all affidavits required by law (spouse affidavit, parents affidavit, decree granted by a judge, etc.).

Applications for issuance and renewal of passports must be submitted using the attached form. Such form, duly signed, is equivalent to a personal declaration and has to be filled out by the applicant according to the following instructions.

Instructions

The new passport is issued for ten years. The passport issued during the last five years can be renewed before their expiration and within six months after the expiration date. In all other cases a new passport is required.

For all requests/renewal the Italian citizenship and the composition of the family must be verified, in addition to the submission of all affidavits and governmental clearances requested by law.

• Application form duly filled out and signed by the applicant. If the applicant is a parent of a minor, a sworn affidavit of the other parent authorizing issuance/renewal of passport must be joined. If the applicant is a minor, a sworn affidavit of parents authorizing issuance/renewal of passport must be joined. The signatures on the affidavits must be authenticated.
• "Permanent Resident Card" new edition only with fingerprints or Visa for legal residence. Must produce in copy.
• Last passport issued OR parent’s passport on which minor was enrolled (registered).
• Two recent identical frontal passport photos (1 ½ " x 1 ½" in color) for a new passport, one photo for a renewal. (in case the request is forwarded by mail one photo must be notarized- SEE ATTACHMENT).
• Money Order made out to Consulate General of Italy covering the cost of passport, taxes and required affidavits/clearance (Click Here to See Fees/Charges).

Submit the Following Documents if NOT Supplied Before:

• Marriage certificate, if married after issuance of last passport.
• Death certificate of spouse, if a widow after issuance of last passport.
• Birth certificates of minors - LONG FORM - if requesting issuance/renewal/registration on parent’s passport.
• "Estratto di nascita" if the person who has come of age applies for the first passport.
• Duly completed A.I.R.E. form (Registry of Italian Residing Abroad) for new applicants and if address/composition of family/others have changed since last time.

The above certificates must be submitted in certified copies legalized with "Apostille".

Include a stamped self-addressed envelope "UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE" (we suggest Express Mail to reduce the risk of loosing the passport) if you want the passport returned by mail. Any other mail courier will not be accepted.