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CASE C) AT THE TIME OF THE MINOR’S BIRTH, A PARENT OR A GRANDPARENT POSSESSED (OR POSSESSED AT THE TIME OF DEATH) EXCLUSIVELY ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP – DOCUMENTATION TO BE SUBMITTED

  • Application for registration of the birth certificate (REQUEST) duly completed and signed by both parents.
  • Full birth certificate of the minor (unabridged birth certificate). IMPORTANT: The birth certificate must remain on file at the Consulate and therefore will not be returned;
  • Paper Apostille (or consular legalization from the country that issued the document, for countries not party to the 1961 Hague Convention). For South African certificates, the Apostille must be issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO);
  • If the certificate is not issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs, a translation of the birth certificate into Italian is required – the Apostille does not need to be translated;
  • Photocopy of the passport or valid identification document of the parents;
  • If available, photocopy of previous identity documents of the Italian parent, issued during the period of residence in Italy;
  • If the grandparent lived in a foreign country, a certificate issued by the competent authorities of the country of emigration, attesting that the Italian grandparent did not acquire the citizenship of the foreign country of emigration prior to the birth of the minor;
  • Documentation suitable to prove the exclusive possession of Italian citizenship by the parent, including, by way of example:
    • certificate or statement of non-naturalization / absence of South African citizenship issued by the Department of Home Affairs;
    • documentation proving the non-acquisition of South African citizenship (e.g., absence of a South African identity document, copy of the Italian passport with any entry/exit stamps).
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  • FURTHER INFORMATION

    (*) LEGALIZATION AND TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS

    1) LEGALIZATION

    Legalization officially certifies the "legal status of the person who has signed documents, certificates, copies, and extracts, as well as the authenticity of the signature itself.

    Foreign birth certificates must be legalized in order to be transcribed in Italy. Different methods of legalization apply depending on whether the country in which the document was issued is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention.

    For a complete list of signatory countries click here

    Legalization of South African Birth Certificates

    South African birth certificates must be legalized with an Apostille in order to be transcribed in Italy. Therefore, it is necessary to send the original birth certificate to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for legalization.

    Legalization of non-South African foreign birth certificates

      1. a) Countries that signed the 1961 Hague Convention

    If the country of birth of the minor is included in the list of Participating States, The original and complete birth certificate must be sent to the competent foreign authority for the affixing of the apostille (for example: for Brazilian birth certificates, the competent authority for legalization is the Cartório). To find the competent authority for each State click here.

    PLEASE NOTE: The Apostille must only certify the signature of the civil registrar indicated on the birth certificate. Certifications of signatures by notaries, lawyers, etc., or the High Court will not be accepted.

      1. b) – All other countries not included in the 1961 Hague Convention

    If the country of birth of the minor is NOT included in the list of Participating States, The original and complete birth certificate must be legalized by the Italian Embassy or Consulate responsible for the place where the certificate was issued (for example: for Ghanaian birth certificates, the Italian representative responsible for legalization is the Italian Embassy in Accra).

    PLEASE NOTE: The Apostille must only certify the signature of the civil registrar indicated on the birth certificate. Certifications of signatures by notaries, lawyers, etc. will not be accepted.

     

    2) TRANSLATION

    Translation of South African birth certificates:

    Those who need to translate South African birth certificates from English into Italian may use a translator, possibly chosen from among those known to this Consulate. Traduttori e interpreti).

    Translation of documents from other countries:

    For certificates originally issued in languages other than English and Italian (e.g., Brazilian certificates, etc.), you can choose one of the following options:

      • Use a sworn translator in Italy—lists of sworn translators are available at Italian courts;
      • Certification of translation (already prepared), to be carried out at Italian courts or Italian municipalities;
      • Translation carried out by an official translator in the country where the document was issued and duly legalized by the authorities of that country or by the Italian Embassy/Consulate in that country.

    For certificates originally issued in English (e.g., South African, British, US, Australian certificates, etc.), it is NOT necessary to legalize the Italian translation (this Consulate will certify it).