Starting from September 2, 2024, it will be possible to apply for the Electronic Identity Card (C.I.E.) at this Consulate General. Please note that the Electronic Identity Card is not issued on sight but is sent from Italy by registered mail within two/three months from the day of the appointment.
1. What is the Electronic Identity Card?
An ID card is an identification document used to verify a person’s identity and to travel to EU Member States, some Schengen States (i.e. Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) and other States with which bilateral agreements have been reached (please visit each country tab on www.viaggiaresicuri.it).
2. Who can apply for an Electronic Identity Card?
This Consulate General can issue the C.I.E. exclusively to Italian citizens regularly resident in this consular district and registered in AIRE.
If your residential address has changed (compared to the one previously communicated to the Consular Office), you must request the change of address via the FAST IT portal before booking the appointment.
For the C.I.E. to be issued, a validated tax code is also required.
3. When can I apply for a C.I.E.?
- to replace a valid paper Identity Card.
- for the first issuance of an Identity Card.
- in the event of theft, loss or deterioration of the previous Card.
4. How do I request the electronic identity card (C.I.E.)?
The application for an Electronic Identity Card must be submitted exclusively via the Prenot@MI portal.
To book an appointment, please follow the procedure below:
- Register on https://prenotami.esteri.it and choose “Consolato Generale d’Italia Johannesburg” as the relevant Consulate.
- Once registration is complete, select the “Book” tab from the horizontal menu at the top of the screen.
- Click the “BOOK” button under “Identity/Travel Documents – ID Card”.
- Select booking type and enter the applicants’ details, then click on “FORWARD”.
- Select the desired date from the calendar (available dates are marked in green), then click on “BOOK”.
ATTENTION: In the event that, during the verification phase, elements are found that prevent the processing of the application, the citizen will be informed of the reasons for the cancellation of the appointment.
5. Is it possible to request an appointment for my minor children?
Yes. Whilst booking your appointment, a form must be filled out for each applicant. It will be possible to book an appointment for a maximum of 4 people with a single request.
6. What documents must I submit at the appointment?
The applicant must bring the following:
- A recent passport-sized photograph, compliant with ICAO international standards
- Previous Identity Card. If not applicable, an identification document (even if expired)
- Where applicable, declaration of loss/theft to the local authorities of the previous Card
- Consent from both parents if the applicant is a minor under 18 (see point 9)
- South African debit card or cash for payment in Rand (see point 14).
7. How do I receive my Electronic Identity Card?
The C.I.E. is issued by the Ministry of the Interior and produced by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, which sends it, by registered mail, to the applicant’s address or, upon request, to the Consulate General’s post office box. In this case, once the C.I.E. has been received, the Consulate General will contact the applicant by email providing instructions for collection in person or by courier.
Citizens are encouraged not to follow up on the receipt of the C.I.E. before 90 working days. After this period, those who have not yet received the notification of collection can send an email to consolare.johannesburg@esteri.it, specifying the registered mail number (numero di raccomandata) displayed on the application.
8. How long is the C.I.E. valid?
- 3 years of validity for minors between the ages of 0 and 3
- 5 years of validity for minors between the ages of 4 and 17
- 10 years of validity for adults
9. What is the act of parental consent?
If the applicant is a minor, the parental consent form must be completed and signed by both parents. The parental consent is also necessary in the case of unmarried, separated or divorced parents. If the other parent is an EU citizen, the presence of the same at the Consulate General is not necessary. The completed and signed form will be sufficient together with a photocopy of the passport or identity card of the person granting the consent, for the comparison of the signatures. The form and the document must be sent by email to consolare.johannesburg@esteri.it in the days preceding the appointment.
If the parent granting the consent is not an EU citizen (e.g. South African citizens) the consent form must be signed in one of the following ways:
- at the Consulate General in Johannesburg on the day of the appointment, upon presentation of an identity document.
- If resident in KwaZulu-Natal, at the office of Honorary Consul in Durban Costantino Buccimazza, by appointment.
- At any Italian Embassy or Consulate in the world, if resident in a country other than South Africa.
- In the event of the death of one of the parents, a copy of the death certificate must be presented.
10. Do I have to request a new Card if I change address?
No. The Identity Card is an identity document and not a residence document.
11. Is it possible for married women to enter their husband’s surname?
No. The Identity Card is an identity document and not a civil status document.
12. May I apply for ID card in my Municipality in Italy even if I am resident abroad?
Please check with the Municipality in Italy.
13. Once received, how do I activate and use my C.I.E.?
To activate the C.I.E., visit the page https://www.cartaidentita.interno.gov.it/attiva/
For further information, visit https://www.cartaidentita.interno.gov.it/
14. The cost of the document is:
- First issue or renewal: 21.95 Euro, to be paid in local currency (Rand), at the Consulate General (South African debit card, no credit cards). The exact amount in local currency will be confirmed at the counter on the day of the appointment.
- Duplicate due to theft or loss: 27.11 Euro to be paid in local currency (Rand), at the Consulate General (South African debit card, no credit cards). The exact amount in local currency will be confirmed at the counter on the day of the appointment.