1. What is the CIE?
The CIE (Electronic Identity Card) replaces the previous paper-based identity card.
It contains the holder’s biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature). It is an identity document that allows access to online services offered by the Italian Public Administration.
The CIE can be used for travel only within EU Member States, some non-EU Schengen countries, and other countries with which Italy has bilateral agreements.
THE CIE CANNOT BE USED TO TRAVEL TO ITALY FROM CANADA.
For information on documents required for international travel (click here).
The CIE also includes an electronic component representing the citizen’s digital identity.
For detailed information, consult the official website: Carta di Identità Elettronica (CIE) – Funziona, semplicemente (interno.gov.it)
The CIE service is different than the passport service. Applicants willing to apply for both must therefore book two separate appointments following the instructions on each relevant page of this website.
2. Who is eligible for the service at the Consulate General in Vancouver?
This service is strictly for:
Italian citizens who are also registered with AIRE in the Vancouver jurisdiction (which includes British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory).
If you are registered with AIRE elsewhere, you must request the CIE at the Consulate or Embassy where you are registered.
If you live in the Vancouver jurisdiction but are not yet registered with AIRE (despite meeting the requirements), you must first submit an AIRE registration request. Please consult our website (click here).
Before your appointment, the Consulate must verify the registration of your birth certificate in Italy and ensure your civil status is up to date.
If these conditions are not met, the appointment may not be confirmed, and you will receive further instructions.
3. How to apply for a CIE at our Consulate General?
An appointment is required for all adult applicants and minors aged 12 and up.
For minors up to 11 years old, no fingerprints are required, so the process can be completed by mail without an appointment.
3.1 Applying for a CIE for adults
NOTE: Appointments are currently available only at the Vancouver office.
After carefully reading all the information on this page, request an appointment via the Prenot@mi portal.
Once you create a user profile, you can select the calendar for “Identity Cards/CIE” and follow the instructions.
You will also be asked to upload through the Prenot@mi Portal the Information Sheet CIE02v1, downloadable from the Forms page (click here).
NOTE: If the Information Sheet is not uploaded on the same day as the booking, your appointment will be cancelled.
NOTE: Available appointments are limited. The calendar opens for 6 weeks at a time; each week, new appointments become available for the following week.
3.2 Applying for a CIE for minors up to 11 years old
First, send the completed and signed Information Sheet for Data Update by email to:
📧 passaporti.vancouver@esteri.it
Form for minors: CIE02v1
If you don’t have an email address, you may send it by regular mail or fax.
Within ten business days of receiving the form, the Passport Office will reply by email with the result of the verification and further instructions.
3.3 Applying for a CIE for minors aged 12 to 17
Since fingerprinting is required starting at age 12, an appointment is necessary. The minor must be accompanied by at least one parent.
NOTE: Appointments are currently available only at the Vancouver office.
The appointment must be scheduled via the Prenot@mi portal by a parent, after reading all the information on this page.
Once you create a user profile, you can select the calendar for “Identity Cards/CIE” and follow the instructions.
You will also be asked to upload through the Prenot@mi Portal the Information Sheet CIE02v1, downloadable from the Forms page (click here).
NOTE: If the Information Sheet is not uploaded on the same day as the booking, your appointment will be cancelled.
NOTE: Appointments are limited. The calendar opens for 12 weeks at a time, with new slots released weekly.
4. What to bring on the day of your appointment?
- Italian passport (even if expired)
- If available, previous Identity Card (even paper format)
- In case of a lost or stolen CIE: a police report for the loss/theft
- For minors: both parents must be present or the absent parent(s) must submit a signed consent form (PASS04) — see section 7
- Consular fee, payable in cash or by money order/bank draft made out to: Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, for the amount listed in the Consular Fee Schedule available on the “Forms” page – art. 28/C
5. How is the CIE delivered?
NOTE: The CIE is not issued on the day of the appointment and is not printed by the Consulate. It is produced in Italy by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS) and sent by registered mail directly to the applicant’s address.
The tracking number, which allows you to follow the shipment, is printed on the application form (point 5).
Delivery time varies by location and typically takes at least five weeks.
If the delivery fails, the package is returned to the issuing authority in Italy.
Applicants are advised to provide a correct address and to track the shipment carefully.
NOTE: Keep your copy of the application form, which includes the tracking number.
This is the only way to track your CIE shipment.
The Consulate does not have information about delivery status and is not responsible for shipping.
6. How long is the CIE valid?
Validity depends on the age of the holder:
- 3 years for children aged 0 to 3
- 5 years for children aged 4 to 17
- 10 years for adults
7. What is the consent form (atto di assenso)?
Parental consent is always required for issuing an identity card to minors, even if the parents are unmarried, separated, or divorced.
An Italian or EU parent who resides outside the consular jurisdiction may sign the PASS04a form separately and email it to the Consulate (from their own personal email) along with a copy of a valid EU passport.
A non-EU parent must sign the PASS04 form in the presence of an Italian authority (Police HQ in Italy, Consulate Office, or Notary abroad) and send the original or a certified copy by PEC/email to the Consulate.
If one parent is deceased, a copy of the death certificate must be submitted.
Last updated: 04 June, 2025