Birth registration process in Italy has many steps

ITALY

07.13.2018

Story by Karin Martinez 

U.S. Army Garrison Italy

VICENZA, Italy — While Soldiers and family members are celebrating a new baby, it’s important not to forget to take care of some required documentation so all legal paperwork is in order.

The first order of business is to visit the Military Personnel Division on Caserma Ederle, housed in Building 28, Office 24. Staff members will assist in the paperwork needed to register the birth with Italian authorities. This is the way to obtain the Italian and international birth certificates.

“Registration should happen within 10 calendar days of delivery,” said Tamara Elston, chief, Military Personnel Division, U.S. Army Garrison Italy. “This means within two business days of the child’s birth, at least one of the parents (if they are a married couple) must visit the MPD for assistance in preparing the documents to register the child.” [Note: If the couple is not married, both parents must be in attendance.]

Documents required at the time of the MPD visit include the following:
Sponsor’s passport and Department of Defense identification card
Spouse’s original no-fee passport
Marriage certificate
Original birth statement (provided by the hospital)
Letter of Lateness (if needed).

The next step is the Italian birth registration. Registration takes place at the Comune di Vicenza, and it is highly recommended that new parents use the Comune’s online appointment system, https://prenotazioni.comune.vicenza.it/qmsui-prebooking-client/inner/prebooking.xhtml, to schedule the registration appointment. In the past, families were escorted downtown Vicenza to the appointments, but now, families may go on their own.

At least one parent (if the couple is married) and a translator must attend the appointment. A fluent Italian speaker must accompany U.S. personnel to the Comune di Vicenza to translate the birth registration document in front of the Registrar. The Italian speaker must provide identification and sign the document as a witness.

“If parents know a fluent speaker of Italian, they may make their own appointment and take that person with them to the Comune,” Elston said. “The online appointment system is easy to use and step-by-step instructions are provided in a brochure they can pick up at our office.”

However, if assistance is needed making and attending the appointment, someone is available to assist in booking translator services. Personnel should see Laura Dalla Vecchia at Army Community Service here, to assist in booking a translator.

The fee is €30 for the translator. If a family is unable to pay the fee, there may be an American Red Cross volunteer available. If using this volunteer service, clients are asked to be cognizant of the translator’s time and not be late for the appointment.

Elston said additional translator assistance is always needed.

“If anyone knows speakers of Italian who would like to volunteer, we are always looking for additional translators who can meet parents at the Comune to assist with translating the registration documents,” she said.
In that case, contact ACS or the Red Cross.

Once the Italian and international birth certificates are in hand, proceed with getting the baby’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad, passport(s), Social Security card, Soggiorno, DEERS enrollment and command sponsorship. Also, don’t forget to update your Cost of Living Allowance.

Anyone with questions should contact the Military Personnel Division. Hours are Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m. Call DSN 637-7467/7468/7490, comm. 0444-61-7467/7468/7490.

To contact ACS, call DSN 634-6192, comm. 0444-71-6192. Hours are Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursday, 1-5 p.m.

The American Red Cross Office can be reached at Bldg. 333 on Caserma Ederle, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call DSN 637-8918, comm. 0444-61-8918.

• Date Taken: 07.13.2018
• Date Posted: 07.27.2018 09:06
• Story ID: 285984
• Location: IT