Vital Records

How to obtain vital records

The Embassy and Consulates keep no copies of the documents we issue, such as Consular Reports of Birth. These documents are filed in Washington. We also do not keep any files of Italian civil documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates etc. Other records, such as birth certificates of people born in the U.S. are stored in the state of origin.

This page is designed to help you locate the vital documents you need. The Embassy/Consulates cannot obtain documents on your behalf, and cannot provide translations of documents issued in Italy. We recommend, however, when writing to the Italian authorities, that you request an international version of the document in question.

How to Obtain Vital Records in Italy

Under Italian law, records of births, marriages, and deaths are maintained by the Registrar of Vital Statistics (Ufficio dello Stato civile) in the City Office (Comune or Municipio) of the place where the event occurred. There is no central, regional, or provincial office established which keeps such records. When applying for one of these certificates, the applicant must supply all relevant information. The office of the registrar cannot undertake extensive research of its files to locate a record which is not properly identified, and will not translate requests in a foreign language. A request written in the Italian usually produces faster results.

A small fee is charged for the issuance of a certificate, varying from place to place, but on the average does not exceed Euro 0.77 (around $ 0.88.). Though it is customary for Italian city offices to waive the small administrative fees for foreign applicants, their budget does not allow for expenditures of funds to cover their services and postal charges. It is recommended that international postal reply coupons be included with any request for services.

To request:

BIRTH CERTIFICATE (Certificato di Nascita), provide full name of person at birth, place and date of birth, name of parents; specify that the document should include the name of the parents.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (Certificato di Matrimonio), provide full names at birth of both parties, their birthdates, place and date of marriage.

DEATH CERTIFICATE (Certificato di Morte), provide full name at birth of deceased, date and place of birth if available, place and date of death.

If your request is directed to a large city, address it as follows:

Ufficio dello Stato Civile
Comune di ___________
Italy

whereas a request to a small town may simply be addressed:

Comune di ________________
Provincia di ________________
Italy

NOTE: Italian registrars are not required by law to assist in genealogical research work. In most places, records dating back as far as the mid-19th century are available but unless complete and correct information is provided, no search can be undertaken. If you are engaged in family tree reconstruction and do not have the essential information bearing on your ancestors, you may wish to retain the aid of professional researchers. A separate list of firms or individuals specializing in genealogical work (ancestry, coat of arms, etc.) is available from this office.

If a document is required as evidence before a court or similar body, it must be authenticated by the responsible Italian authorities by the "apostille" procedure, in accordance with the terms of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, which became effective in the United States on October 15, 1981.

An A-Z directory of Italian Cities and Town on the internet is available at: http://www.comuni.it/link/index.htm

U.S. CONSULAR OFFICERS ARE NOT TRAINED IN ITALIAN LAW AND CONSEQUENTLY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO INTERPRET IT. CONSULT THE ITALIAN EMBASSY FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION.

Vital records that must be obtained from the State Department in Washington

Certified copies of Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a document issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate reflecting the facts of birth abroad of a child acquiring U.S. citizenship at birth through one or both parents.
Certified copies of Consular Report of Death of an U.S. Citizen, a document issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate reflecting the facts of death abroad of an U.S. citizen.

How to request one of these documents from the State Department in Washington

Vital Records that must be obtained from a U.S. State

Vital Records are documents such as birth, death or marriage certificates. In the U.S., state, county or city governments, depending on location, usually hold such records. Here is some information to assist you in obtaining copies of such records.

More information about obtaining vital records in the U.S., such as birth certificates.

Note: For your U.S. document to be accepted by the Italian authorities, for example if you plan to get married, they also require that you provide an Apostille. This document gives you specific instructions on how to obtain the Apostille.

Fee-based on-line services that help obtain records

One such service is VitalChek (800-255-2414), which allows you to request birth, death, and marriage certifications online, by phone, or by fax.

Another service called usbirthcertificate.net can help you obtain or amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, in addition to obtaining a birth certificate. You must have a physical street address to use this service (no APOs, FPOs, or PO Boxes).