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Vital records

VITAL STATISTICS

All Italian citizens, whether residing in Italy or abroad, must inform the Italian public administration of any change to their marital status and/or family composition, and submit the documentation required to register life events (such as birth, marriage, divorce, death) in Italy. Italian citizens residing abroad are assisted in this process by the Italian Consular authority in whose jurisdiction they currently reside, regardless of where the event occurred. The jurisdiction of this Consulate General includes the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon Territory. For the purposes of registration in Italy, only original documents in long-form are (not the “Certificate” format) accepted. Each original must bear the Apostille certificate and be translated to Italian by a professional translator. The Consulate General does not provide translations services, however, useful information on certified translators operating in the consular jurisdiction can be found on the Forms and useful links page.

Following Canada’s ratification of the Hague Convention, as of January 11, 2024, a new authentication procedure known as the Apostille certificate applies to public documents issued in Canada (such as vital records, notarial and court documents) intended for use in Italy.
Instructions on the procedure to request the Apostille are available on the websites of the respective provincial authorities:


REGISTRATION IN ITALY OF VITAL STATISTICS AND COURT DOCUMENTS ISSUED IN THIS CONSULAR JURISDICTION 
(Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Yukon)

 

REGISTRATION IN ITALY OF VITAL STATISTICS DOCUMENTS ISSUED OUTSIDE OF THIS CONSULAR JURISDICTION
To register vital records and court documents originating from outside of our Consular jurisdiction, applicants must submit original documentation bearing the Apostille or other form of legalization for documents issued in countries that are not signatory countries of The Hague Convention of 1961. The Italian translation of documents in English can be done by an authorized translator in the country where the document was issued or by a certified translator as listed on the Forms and useful links page of this website. Documents in languages other than English must be translated to Italian by an authorized translator in the country where the document was issued and legalized according to the regulations of that country. Therefore, they must either be legalized by Apostille or bear the stamp of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the document was issued. Consult the website of the competent Italian Consular office responsible for the place of origin of the documentation for information and guidelines on its specific regulations. A complete list of our Italian Consular network is available from the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

BIRTH
Minor children born to Italian citizens are themselves Italian citizens, even if they were born abroad and are citizens of other countries. If the child was born abroad, their birth document must be registered in one of the parents’ Comune of AIRE registration in Italy. In addition to the registration of the minor’s birth, they will be automatically registered in AIRE (registry of Italian citizens residing abroad). There is no need to request a separate AIRE registration for your child.  It is not possible to register children 18th years of age or older. The adult child must formally submit an application for recognition of Italian citizenship by descent as outlined on the Citizenship section of the website.
Documents needed to request the registration of a birth:
1.  Registration request form (available here), completed and signed by the Italian parent.
2.  The child’s original birth document in long-form (NOT the “Certificate” format) with the Apostille certificate (see instructions above):
– Alberta: Photocopy of a Registration of Birth (click here to view a sample)
-British Columbia: Certified Copy of a Birth Registration (click here) or Certified Electronic Extract of a Birth Registration (click here)
– Saskatchewan: Certified Copy” (also known as “Copy of Registration of Live Birth (click here)
– Yukon: Restricted photocopy of Yukon Birth Registration
3. A professional Italian translation of the original birth document and the apostille (for reference purposes, a list of certified translators is available here)
4. Photocopy of the parents’ valid govt. issued photo ID. Include a photocopy of the child’s Canadian/other passport if available.
Kindly submit by post/mail the registration request complete of all of the documentation listed above.
Original documents presented for the purposes of registration in Italy are not returned.

MARRIAGE
Documents needed to request the registration of a marriage:
1.   Registration request form (available here), completed and signed by the Italian citizen.
2.   The original marriage document in long-form (NOT the “Certificate” format) with the Apostille certificate (see instructions above):
– Alberta: Photocopy of a Registration of Marriage (click here to view a sample)
– British Columbia: Certified Copy of a Marriage Registration” (click here) or “Certified Electronic Extract of a Marriage Registration (click here)
– Saskatchewan: Certified Copy” (also known as “Certified Photocopy of Registration of Marriage
– Yukon: Restricted photocopy of Yukon Marriage Registration
3. A professional Italian translation of the original marriage documentation and apostille (for reference purposes, a list of certified translators is available here)
4. Photocopy of certificate of birth (any format) and govt. issued photo ID of the non-Italian spouse.
An Italian citizen who was married in Italy, divorced abroad, and subsequently remarried abroad, must register the divorce prior to submitting paperwork for registration of the second marriage (see divorce procedures below).
Kindly submit by post/mail the registration request complete of all of the documentation listed above.
Original documents presented for the purposes of registration in Italy are not returned.

DIVORCE
The foreign divorce of an Italian citizen must also be registered in Italy.
Foreign divorces can be registered in Italy directly, as long as the Judge is deemed legally qualified in accordance with Italian legislation to pass judgment, and so long as the judgment itself meets the basic requirements of Law n. 218 of May 31, 1995 art. 64, in effect as of December 31, 1996. The Vital Statistics office of the Italian Town Hall where the divorce is to be registered is responsible for deciding whether the divorce sentence meets these requirements.
Required documents:

  1. Affidavit and request for registration of a divorce (available here).
  2. Final Order (also known as Divorce Judgement) and Certificate of Divorce. The documentation must be issued by the Provincial Court with an original signature of the Clerk of the Court. Both court documents must bear the Apostille certificate (see instructions above).
  3. A professional Italian translation of the complete divorce documentation and apostille (for reference purposes, a list of certified translators is available here).
  4. Photocopy of the applicant’s valid passport (Italian or other) and driving permit.

Kindly submit by post/mail the registration request complete of all of the documentation listed above.
Original documents presented for the purposes of registration in Italy cannot returned.

 

DEATH
The death of an Italian citizen must be registered in Italy. This also applies to former Italian citizens.
Documents needed to request the registration of a death:
1. Registration request form (available here)
2. Original Certificate of Death issued by the Provincial Government (not the Funeral Home) with the Apostille certificate (see instructions above):
3. Copy of valid photo ID of the applicant;
4. Copy of last Italian passport of the deceased, if available;
5. Copy of valid photo ID of the deceased, if available.

Kindly submit by post/mail the registration request complete of all of the documentation listed above.
Original documents presented for the purposes of registration in Italy are not returned.

 

ADOPTIONS
In accordance to art. 36 paragraph 4 of Law n. 184/1983 regarding the rights of a minor to belong to a family, an adoption order issued to the Italian parent(s) in the foreign country in which they have legally resided for a minimum of two years, can be recognized valid in Italy by order of the Court for Minors so long as it meets the principles set out by the International Convention on the Protection of Minors.
The application can be submitted via the Italian Consulate of reference to the Italian Court for Minors responsible for place of registration in Italy (AIRE) of the parent(s).
In addition to the application form (available here), the following documentation is required:
1. The Adoption Order in original from the issuing Court, with a corresponding Italian translation. Both the Court Order and the translation must have an Apostille certificate from the authorities of the country of issuance, or a legalization of the Italian Embassy/Consulate responsible for the place of issuance of these documents;
2. The child’s birth certificate in original and the corresponding Italian translation. Both must have an Apostille certificate from the authorities of the country of issuance, or a legalization of the Italian Embassy/Consulate responsible for the place of issuance of these documents;
3. Copy of valid passports and provincial photo ID for both parents and child;
4. Payment of the applicable consular fees.

 

BANNS OF MARRIAGE

Italian citizens that wish to marry in Canada do no require clearance from the Consulate General. Once the marriage has been celebrated in Canada, the Italian national must apply to have the marriage registered in their Municipality of reference in Italy (see instructions on this website related to MARRIAGE).

The Italian citizen residing in this consular jurisdiction  who wishes to marry in Italy must request the posting of marriage banns in the six months prior to the wedding date. Italian citizens who are widowed or divorced and wish to marry in Italy must verify that their marital status has been updated with their Municipality in Italy of birth/last residency in Italy. Italian citizens who are born abroad must verify that their birth has been registered by the Municipality and that their AIRE status is up to date. If both parties (bride and groom) are Italian citizens, with one be residing in this consular jurisdiction and the other  residing in Italy or in another consular jurisdiction, the posting of the marriage banns can alternately be requested from the Municipality or the other Consular offices.

Requests for posting of marriage banns must be presented by both parties in person, or in exceptional circumstances by proxy. The appointment for the presentation of the request and the supporting document can be schedule by email (citt.vancouver@esteri.it). The banns of marriage are posted on the consular notice board for eight consecutive days, after which period the consular offices will issue and forward to the responsible Municipality the required certification (certificato di eseguite pubblicazioni). The marriage will be able to be celebrated between the fourth and the one hundred eightieth day subsequent to the issuance of the consular certification. For religious marriage it will be necessary to contact the local Parish as well as the Parish in Italy where the marriage is to take place. At the scheduled appointment in the consular offices it will be also necessary to present a letter from the Church where the marriage is to take place, on the Church’s letterhead and with the stamp and signature of the priest celebrant. The letter must include the personal information of the bride and groom and must specify the wedding date and the location of the Church. After the posting of the wedding banns, the Consulate will issue to the bride and groom a certificate that must be presented to the priest celebrant.

Non Italian citizens that wish to marry in Italy must present to the Municipal authorities (or Church authorities, in case of religious marriage) the Nulla Osta al matrimonio prescritto dall’art. 116 del codice civile. The foreign national that wishes to marry in Italy must contact their respective Embassy in Italy and request the issuance of this authorization to marry. For more information, Canada citizens can  consult this website.
Citizenship of Austria, Germany, Greece, Luxemburg, Moldavia, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey (countries that have signed and ratified the Monaco Convention of  05/09/1980) must obtain from their Country of citizenship a “certificato di capacità matrimoniale” which is to be presented to this Consulate General. Note that the above-mentioned does not include Belgium, which has signed but not ratified the Convention. Certificates issued under the Monaco Convention are exempt from legalization.

Documents to present at the appointment:
FOR THE ITALIAN CITIZEN
– Italian passport or other valid government issued photo ID;
– Cash payment in CAD$ of the following consular fees: Imposta di bollo NAA, art. 3, art. 2c  (art. 2D is also required in cases of religious marriage) of the Table of Consular Fees;
– The request form (see to the Forms section of the website) completed and signed by the bride and groom.
FOR THE CANADIAN CITIZEN
– Canadian birth certificate in the format “Certified Copy of a Registration of birth” with the apostille of the responsible provincial authorities;
– The “Nulla Osta alla celebrazione del matrimonio” or the Certificate of non impediment, issued by the Embassy of Canada in Rome and authenticated by the Prefettura (see here for more information) within six months from the date of the appointment;
– Additional cash payment of the fee relative to article 24 as listed on the Table of Consular Fees;
– Valid Canadian passport.
FOR THE CITIZEN OF AN EU COUNTRY:
– The “Nulla Osta alla celebrazione del matrimonio” or the Certificate of non impediment, issued by the Embassy of their country in Italy and legalized by the Prefettura; OR a”Certificato di capacità matrimoniale plurilingue” issued by Austria, Germania, Grecia, Lussemburgo, Moldova, Paesi Bassi, Portogallo, Spagna, Svizzera, Turchia under the Monaco Convention and exempt from legalization and translation;
– The “Search of Marriage Records” issued by every Canadian Province/Territory of residency since the age of 16 (“Notice of Search of Marriage”) with the Apostille certificate (see instructions above);
– Original birth certificate translated into Italian and legalized  (both original document and translation) by the apostille certificate of the issuing country or by the Italian consular offices responsible for the place of issuance of the document;
– Valid visa or Canadian permanent resident card;
– Valid passport.
FOR THE CITIZEN OF ALL OTHER NON-EU COUNTRIES:
– The “Nulla Osta alla celebrazione del matrimonio” or the Certificate of non impediment, issued by the Embassy of their country in Italy and legalized by the Prefettura. Contact the Embassy in Italy of the country of citizenship for information. (Citizens of the USA click here).
– The “Search of Marriage Records” issued by every Canadian Province/Territory of residency since the age of 16 (“Notice of Search of Marriage”) with the Apostille certificate (see instructions above);
– Original birth certificate translated into Italian and legalized  (both original document and translation) by the apostille of the issuing country or by the Italian consular offices responsible for the place of issuance of the document;
– Valid visa or Canadian permanent resident card;
– Valid passport.
– Additional cash payment of the fee relative to article 24 as listed on the Table of Consular Fees.

Consult the Consulate General’s online Notice Board to view marriage banns currently posted.

 

CIVIL UNIONS (SAME-SEX UNIONS)
Through Law n. 76 of May 20, 2016 and the subsequent Regulation (DPCM n. 144 of July 23, 2016), it is now possible for same-sex couples to enter into a civil union with their partners.
Italian citizens who are already married to their same-sex spouse according to local legislation (outside of Italy) – even if their marriage took place before the date of Law n. 76 of 2016 – need to present to the Consular office with jurisdiction on their place of residence the marriage certificate, in order to have it registered in Italy in the Registry of Civil Unions. Please check under Vital Statistics – Marriage, above in this page, to learn which documents need to be submitted.
Italian citizens residing in Italy or in a different consular jurisdiction than this Consulate General’s, who want to submit the certificates of their same-sex marriage certificate celebrated abroad – whether in person or through a consular office – can forward to our Consulate General the document to be legalized according to the information provided under “Marriage” above.

 

CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
According to art. 1, parr. 36 through 65 of Law n. 76 of May 20, 2016, two persons of over 18 years of age, who form a couple based on a sentimental relationship and on mutual moral and material assistance, who are not tied by kinship, marriage or civil union, can declare they form a couple and are not mere housemates.
Based on the Ministry of the Interior Note no. 7 dated 1 June 2016 and the opinion expressed by the same Ministry on 6 February 2017, the institution of cohabitation is not applicable to citizens registered in the AIRE but only to citizens (Italians and foreigners) residing in Italy. Consequently it is not possible to request the registration of a cohabitation abroad.

 

APPLICATION FOR A CHANGE OF NAME OR SURNAME
(Legislative references: D.P.R. N. 396/2000 and D.P.R. n. 54/2012; Circolari Ministero dell’Interno n. 15/2008, n. 397/2008, n. 4/2010, n. 14/2012)
An Italian citizen who wishes to apply for a change of name or surname must present an application to the Prefettura of the Municipality of residency or of the Municipality where their birth was registered in Italy. Name and surname changes are permitted only for exceptional reasons and the application must be adequately justified and supported by documentation.
An Italian citizen who is registered in the AIRE and resides in this Consular jurisdiction may submit the application through the Consulate General. Following acceptance of the application, the Prefettura will issue a provisional decree authorizing the posting of a summary of the application on the Consular Notice Board, to allow any interested party to object.  After the thirty days have lapsed without an objection to the notice of application, the Consulate submits a copy of the notice of application and confirmation of non-objection to the Prefettura. Upon review of the documentation, the Prefettura will issue a final decree authorizing the change of name or surname. The applicant must then request that the decree be forwarded to their Municipality of registration so that their vital records may be updated. Applications for minors must be signed by both parents.
Required documents:
1. Form A (change of last name for adult – available here) or Form B (change of name for adult – available here);
2. Declaration to be underwritten and signed by the applicant (available here);
3. Payment of the application fee (see art. NAA of Table of Consular fees) and any other applicable consular fees. Payment is required in Canadian dollars via money order made out to the Consulate General of Italy;
4. Photocopy of the applicant’s government issued photo ID with updated name/surname;
5. Documentation in support of the application: Provincial Certificate of change of name/surname in original with the Apostille certificate (see instructions above), English to Italian translation issued by a certified translator; For those born in Canada or in another non-UE country, also required is a new birth record in long-form (Registration format) with the updated name/surname, in original with an Italian translation. N.B. Documents originating outside of this consular jurisdiction must be legalized by responsible authorities and accompanied by certified Italian translations.

Additional documentation may be requested at any time.
Kindly submit by MAIL/POST the registration request complete of all of the documentation listed above.
Original documents presented for the purposes of registration in Italy are not returned.

 

APPLICATION TO HAVE ORIGINAL SURNAME RESTORED FOR DUAL CITIZENS BORN ABROAD
(Legislative references: Art. 98 comma 2, D.P.R. 396/2000; Circolare Ministero dell’Interno n. 397/2008, n. 4/2010, n. 14/2012)
Italian citizens born abroad and who were dual citizens at the time of birth (citizens of Italy and their country of birth) who wish to maintain their original surname are exempt from the Italian law that requires that Italian citizens may have only the surname of their father. Persons who have their surname modified can may now apply to have their original surname that appears on their original birth certificate restored, free of charge, in accordance with the above regulations. Application form available here.

 

Updated: 06/2024