GENERAL INFORMATION
The rules concerning the issuance of an Italian passport 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).
Please note 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. Italian nationals residing abroad have indeed left the Italian territory de facto. Consequently they must be always in possession of a valid passport updated with the required annual tax. This norm applies also to dual citizens.
It should also be noted that Article 16 of the Passport Law indicates that when applying for a passport, the person concerned must prove his or her identity, the possession of Italian citizenship, and residence and family status will be verified.
A passport is a travel and identification document. The passport office of the Consular offices on whose territorial jurisdiction the applicant resides is responsible for issuing passports to Italian citizens residing abroad.
Scheduling an appointment to submit the application for the issuance of a new passport
Starting from February 22nd 2010, with the introduction of the new passport system carrying the holder’s fingerprints, this Consulate General must take the applicants fingerprints. For this reason each applicant must come personally to this Office. Minors under the age of 12 are not requested to have their fingerprints taken.
Therefore, all those wishing to apply for a passport should go in person to the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago, by appointment only, for fingerprinting.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE APPOINTMENT BE BOOKED WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE BOOKLET: AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, NUMEROUS REQUESTS FOR APPOINTMENTS FROM USERS MAY LENGTHEN THE WAITING TIME FOR THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT
Minors under 18
New rules for minors under 18 years of age
Since from June 26, 2012 all minors travelling overseas must have their own passport.
New European regulations provide protection of the minor’s identity and security by stipulating that:
- all minors are required to have their own personal passport;
- the validity of the passport for minors differs depending on the age: three years for children from 0 to three years of age, five years between three and 18 years of age.
Children under 12 are exempt from having their fingerprints taken and therefore do not need to appear in person.