IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of January 11th, 2024, the Apostille Convention will come into effect in Canada.
For more information visit this page.
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REGISTRATION IN ITALY OF FOREIGN CERTIFICATES OF BIRTH, MARRIAGE, DEATH, AND DIVORCE DECREES
Italian nationals, even if they live abroad, are obliged to advise the Registrar or Vital Statistics Office of the municipality in which they are registered in A.I.R.E. of any change in their status (birth, marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse).
To do so, the interested party presents the required documentation to the Consular Office with jurisdiction for their place of residence.
Documents not issued in the area of jurisdiction of this Embassy must be certified according to pertinent legislation in the area in which they were issued, and accompanied by a full translation in Italian (summaries are not accepted.) Interested parties should confirm directly with the appropriate Italian Consulate which documents are required, the availability of translation services, and any additional requirements (i.e. a postilla, in countries where required.)
As regards divorce decrees, the interested parties should contact the Consular Office with jurisdiction for the area in which the decree was issued.
A list of Italian Consular Offices around the world is available here Online consular services (esteri.it).
For the submission of documents to the Consular Office of this Embassy, it is necessary to make an appointment through the online platform Prenot@mi.
REGISTRATION OF VITAL STATISTICS DOCUMENTS AND DIVORCE DECREES ISSUED IN THIS CONSULAR DISTRICT
Here following is a list of the documents required to register vital statistics events in Italy.
Please note that original documents are required and will not be returned.
BIRTH
1. completed request form (download the form);
2. original birth certificate:
- for persons born in Ontario: the document required is the “Certified copy of registration of birth” size 8” x 14” (see: www.serviceontario.ca);
- for persons born in Québec: the document required is the “ Copie d’Acte de Naissance/Copy of an Act of Birth” (see: www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca);
3. translation* of the complete birth certificate;
4. proof of Italian citizenship of parent or parents if resident/s outside this consular district.
For the purposes of citizenship: for registration requests for minor children, reference is to the citizenship of the child’s parent/s; children 18 years of age and older must request the recognition of citizenship by descent before they can request the registration of their birth certificate.
MARRIAGE
In the event that the applicant was married in Italy but divorced abroad, the divorce must be registered in Italy prior to the request for the registration of the second marriage.
Documents required:
1. completed request form (download the form);
2. original marriage certificate:
- for persons married in Ontario, the required document is the “Certified copy of registration of marriage” size 8” x 14” (see: www.serviceontario.ca);
- for persons married in Québec: the required document is the “ Copie d’Acte de Mariage/Copy of an Act of Marriage”(see: www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca);
3. full translation* of the marriage certificate;
4. photocopy of the birth certificate of the foreign spouse;
5. proof of the Italian citizenship of the applicant/s if residents outside this consular district.
DEATH
The death of an Italian national (or a former Italian national who has lost his/her/their citizenship) must be registered in Italy.
Documents required:
1. completed request form (download the form);
2. original death certificate:
- for a death in Ontario: the required documenti s the “Certified copy of registration of death” size 8” x 14” (see: www.serviceontario.ca)
- for a death in Québec: the required document is the “ Copie d’Acte de Décès/Copy of an Act of Death” (see: www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca);
3. full translation* of the death certificate;
4. photocopy of an identification document of the person requesting the registration;
5. photocopy of the most recent Italian passport of the decedent or of a valid identification document of the decedent;
6. “long form” copy of the Canadian citizenship certificate if the decedent was a naturalized Canadian.
DIVORCE
Foreign divorce decrees can be registered directly in Italy, on the condition that the foreign judge is recognized to rule by Italian law and that the foreign proceedings respect the minimum standards envisaged by art. 64 of law n.218 of May 31, 1995 (in effect 31.12.1996). The Vital Statistics Officer of the municipality in Italy decides whether or not to permit the direct registration of the foreign decree.
Documents required:
1. “Decree Nisi” or “Divorce Judgment” or “Divorce Order”;
2. Certificate of Divorce (“Decree Absolute” or “Certificate of Divorce”);
The aforesaid documents must be submitted to this Consular Office following certification by Global Affairs Canada – Authentication Services Section, and must be accompanied by a translation in Italian*;
N.B. The documents and translation will be kept by this Consular Office, which will proceed with the required legalization according to the fee schedule at this link (see art. 69 of the Table of Consular Fees (esteri.it) for certificates and translations.)
3. Self-declaration and request for registration (download the form), accompanied by the copy of a valid identification document with signature.
*For translation services, applicants may contact:
ATIO Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario
www.atio.on.ca, tel. 1-800-234-5030, info@atio.on.ca.