General Information
Italian citizens who have obtained a foreign order authorizing a change of first name, last name, or legal gender may request its registration in Italy and the corresponding annotations in Italian civil status records.
The documentation is forwarded to the competent Italian municipality (Comune), whose Civil Registrar determines whether the foreign order meets the requirements for recognition under Italian Law No. 218/1995.
The Consulate forwards the application. The Comune is responsible for assessing recognition and registering the changes in Italian civil status records.
These instructions apply to Italian citizens residing within the Chicago consular district who are duly registered with AIRE.
Changes of First or Last Name Ordered Abroad
If the change was ordered by a foreign court, applicants must submit the complete court order and the supporting documentation listed below.
The use of a different first or last name on foreign documents does not replace the order authorizing the change.
A last name acquired through marriage is a separate matter: its appearance on a U.S. passport or other U.S. documents does not, by itself, change the last name registered in Italy.
Legal Gender Changes and Related First Name Changes
To request recognition of a legal gender change already authorized abroad, applicants must submit the complete order issued by the competent authority.
If the order also authorizes a first name change, the application may cover both changes.
An updated passport or amended birth certificate alone does not replace the order on which the application is based.
For applications concerning minors, please contact the Civil Status Office in advance at chicago.statciv@esteri.it for instructions on submitting the application through the person or persons exercising parental responsibility and on the documentation required for the specific case. The Comune is also responsible for assessing recognition of foreign orders concerning minors.
Required Documents
1. Application Form and Sworn Declaration (download here)
The form must be completed in full, dated, and signed.
Applicants must clearly indicate:
- Their personal details as currently registered in Italy;
- Their updated personal details as stated in the foreign order;
- The Italian Comune where their birth record is registered;
- An email address for any correspondence.
2. Certified Copy of the Foreign Order
For U.S. court orders, applicants must submit a complete certified copy issued by the competent court, together with:
- An Apostille issued by the competent Secretary of State;
- A complete Italian translation.
Ordinary photocopies, extracts, or documents stating only the outcome of the proceedings are not sufficient.
3. Certificate Confirming That the Court Order Is Final
Applicants must submit a statement issued by the Clerk of the competent court confirming that the order is final and no longer subject to appeal. (See sample letter here)
This certificate must also bear an Apostille and be accompanied by an Italian translation.
4. Identity Documents
Enclose a copy of the applicant’s Italian passport and, if held, U.S. passport.
If the documents show different personal details, enclose copies of both so that the previous and updated details can be linked.
5. Updated Birth Certificate
If a new birth certificate was issued pursuant to the order, enclose a certified copy of the amended birth certificate, bearing an Apostille and accompanied by an Italian translation.
6. Additional Supporting Documentation
The Consulate or the Comune may request additional court records or supporting documents to allow a complete assessment of the application.
For legal gender changes, applicants may also include relevant medical or psychological reports, or other documentation used in the foreign proceedings, where available. Please contact the Office before arranging translations or authentication of these documents.
Translations and Documents Issued Outside the United States
Translations must be complete, accurate, and typed, and must include all stamps, annotations, and certifications appearing on the documents.
For orders issued in other countries, applicants must verify the applicable legalization and translation requirements with the Italian Embassy or Consulate responsible for the place where the order was issued.
How to Submit Your Application
Documentation must be submitted by mail only to:
Consolato Generale d’Italia a Chicago
Ufficio Stato Civile – Cambio nome cognome sesso
150 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60601
Documents may not be dropped off in person at the Consulate.
Application Outcome and Updating Italian Documents
After reviewing the documentation, the Consulate forwards the application to the competent Comune.
The Comune assesses whether the foreign order can be recognized and, if the assessment is positive, completes the relevant registrations and annotations. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.
Processing times at the Comune are beyond the Consulate’s control. Once the application has been forwarded, requests for status updates must be addressed directly to the Comune.
Italian documents showing the updated personal details may be issued once the changes to Italian civil status records have been confirmed and the corresponding consular records have been updated.