Italian Passport Requirements
Once you have established Italian citizenship, you can easily start the process of obtaining an Italian passport. Italy’s passport requirements are similar to those of other countries.
Do I Qualify for an Italian Passport?
Italian citizens in good standing are eligible to apply for an Italian passport. It does not matter which route you take to become an Italian citizen, and even if you do not live in Italy, you are still able to receive a passport.
Most people who apply for a passport will have Italian citizenship by marriage, permanent residence, or descent. It is also possible to obtain Italian citizenship by investment, although that is a costly process which may require working with immigration lawyers in Italy.
Where Do I Apply for an Italian Passport?
If you are an Italian citizen who resides in Italy, you will apply for your passport at the questura, or state police provincial office. Italian citizens who reside abroad must register with AIRE and will obtain an Italian passport from the consulate or embassy where they reside.
How to Apply for an Italian Passport
If you live in the United States, the process will follow the specific rules of the Italian consulate for your region regarding format of the application and whether it is submitted in paper form or electronically. The Italian passport requirements include:
- Your application for Italian citizenship must have been approved and the relevant consulate must have been officially notified of your change in status.
- Your designated consulate will notify you that your dual citizenship has been registered, which grants you the right to apply for an Italian passport.
- You will arrange an appointment with the consulate through an online reservation system in most cases.
- You will request, complete, and submit the Italian passport application provided by the consulate with proper documents to complete your passport application.
- The Italian government now requires fingerprinting for electronic passports, so you will need to visit your Italian consulate or questura in person at some point in the process.
- Your completed Italian passport application must be accompanied by two USPS money orders, one for administrative tax and the other for the actual passport booklet fee.
- Submit a passport photo with your application. Italian passport photo requirements include a white background and a size of 4.5cm x 2.5cm. Like visa photos, passport photographs should have a neutral expression and not extend past the shoulders.
- Provide photo identification cards, which might include your state driver’s license, US visa or green card, and/or current passport.
- You will also need two copies of a consent agreement and ID cards for each person if you have children also applying for passports.
- The timeline to receive your passport may be 1-6 weeks.
- If you are a woman who changed her name at marriage, your Italian passport will display your birth (or maiden) name, based on Italian law.
How to Renew an Italian Passport
As an Italian citizen living abroad, the process to renew your Italian passport is similar, if less complex. The Italian consulate passport renewal process includes:
- Scheduling an appointment with your Italian consulate or embassy.
- Bringing your driver’s license or national ID card, your current Italian passport even if it has expired, and one passport photo taken in the last 6 months to the appointment.
- Providing parental awareness forms if children in your family are renewing passports.
- Waiting 1-6 weeks for your new Italian passport to be ready for pickup or secure delivery.
At times, a consulate may have a long waiting list for appointments, so it is best not to let your Italian passport expire before you begin the process of renewal.
Do I Meet the Italian Passport Requirements?
An Italian passport offers you all the rights and benefits of an EU citizen, including additional protection from human rights violations when you travel, and access to any EU member state embassy if an Italian embassy is not available. By applying for Italian citizenship, you and your family will have access to EU countries without the need for any additional entry, educational, or work visas.
If you are wondering how to get an Italian passport for yourself and your children, we can help. The Italian American Citizenship Assistance Program can guide you through the process and assist with essential translations of necessary documents and vital record searches.
You can also take the first steps in establishing your Italian citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) with our guidance. If one of your ancestors had an Italian spouse or if you marry an Italian citizen you may also be eligible for dual citizenship. Call or contact us today for more information on how to exercise your right to travel under an Italian passport.