1. How long before the expiration of my passport may I request a new passport to be issued?
You should not request a new passport before 6 months from the expiry date, unless your current passport is damaged.
2. I have moved to the UK and my passport shows my previous residence. How can I request to update my residence on my passport?
It is not necessary. We will update the passport when we will issue a new one.
3. Parents’ names are not shown on the passports of my children, who are both under the age of 14. How can I request the insertion?
From November 25th, 2009 all passports issued to children under the age of 14 must include the names of both parents. In case parents’ names are not shown, you can request for them to be printed at the Consulate from Monday to Friday, between 9.00 and 12.00, without booking an appointment. It is enough for either parent to attend, provided that they bring along BOTH parents’ passports as well as that of the child. Children do not need to attend.
4. I urgently need a passport but there are no appointments available before my departure. How can I renew my passport in this case?
In case of proven emergency, an Italian citizen who is resident within the constituency of the Italian Consulate of London, can request a passport in person from Monday to Friday, between 9.00 and 12.00, without the need to book an appointment provided that they present all the relevant documents proving their emergency. For further information on proven emergencies, please click here.
5. What is the consent? Why do I need the other parent’s consent?
Parents of minor children must give their consent, regardless of their nationality. The consent is a written declaration whereby the parent of a minor (under 18) authorises the other parent to have their own passport whatever their relation (cohabitation, marriage, separation, divorce). It is necessary also when the children already have their own passport.
Pursuant to art. 3 of Law 1185/1967 (as amended by art. 24 of Law no. 3/2003), in the passport/ID card application form Italian nationals are required to specify if they have minor children, whether these live with the applicant or not. In these cases the applicable law requires express consent of the other parent (so called “Atto di Assenso”). If you have children with different fathers/mothers, a consent should be submitted for each minor child. A consent is valid for six months from the date it is signed.
If one of the parents is deceased, a copy of the death certificate should be submitted.
How to sign the consent? Here
6. I am not able to obtain the consent of the other parent (we are not married/I don’t know how to reach them/we are not in touch/ we are separated/divorced). How can I apply for a Consular decree?
If the other parent refuses to sign the consent, the applicant parent may submit a formal request to the Consul General seeking a consular order and stating the reasons why it is needed. The Consul General acts as a Judge for minors residing in this consular district.
- The process includes individual interviews with each parent, and a subsequent hearing in person at the Consulate which must be attended by both parents and the child/children in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
- The formal request is subject to a consular fee (art. 31).
- Please note that processing time may vary due to individual circumstances and cannot be estimated in advance. The time and outcome of the application depends on the completion of the necessary steps required by Italian legislation and the collaboration of the other parent.
The prospective applicant is advised to contact in advance the Welfare Department by email: sociale.londra@esteri.it .
7. I am a tourist without a valid passport/ID card (lost or stolen) and I urgently need to go back to Italy. How can I do this?
The Consulate General can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). The ETD will be valid for 5 days from the date of issue and can only be used to travel back to Italy or the country where the applicant is resident and formally registered with A.I.R.E. Emergency Travel Documents can be requested at the Consulate (no appointment needed) from Monday to Friday, between 9.00 and 12.00, and on Saturdays from 9.00 to 13.00 ONLY previous appointment with the emergency phone number (click here).
8. I have been stopped at the airport due to my document being damaged. May I apply for a new one here in the UK?
All Italian citizens can apply for an Italian passport through the Italian General Consulate in London only by booking an appointment in advance or in the event of a proven emergency. For further information, please read the main passport page.
9. My document has been ripped at the airport/customs. What should I do?
Unfortunately, once a passport has been torn/damaged, a new one must be issued. All Italian citizens can apply for an Italian passport through the Italian General Consulate in London by booking an appointment in advance or in the event of a proven emergency. For further information, please read the main passport page.
10. My passport has been seized due to being reported stolen. How can I get it back?
You should first check on the Italian Police website whether a report on your document is still pending. As a matter of fact, loss and recovery records may not be updated regularly. Please note that passports seized by Immigration officials or either found by local authorities after being reported stolen or lost are usually sent back to our Consular Office through the Italian Embassy in London. Please bear in mind that the delivery to our Office usually takes place at least 6 weeks after the document has been found or seized. Should your passport have been seized/stolen/lost within our Consular constituency, please refer to the Contact us section to enquire whether your document has been found.
11. I have sent my passport to the Home Office for my spouse’s residence permit. What can I do?
Unfortunately, in order to have your passport renewed, your old one will need to be provided along with the application form, so it can be cancelled. You may alternatively apply for an ID card or an ETD (Emergency Travel Document).
12. I have booked a trip but just realised that my passport has expired/is about to expire. What can I do?
In the event of a proven emergency, Italian citizens residing within the constituency of the Italian Consulate of Londonmay apply for a new passport by going to the Consulate with the relevant documents from Monday to Friday, between 9.00 and 12.00. There is no need to book an appointment. For further information, please click here.
13. Guidance notes on US entry and transit
Biometric passports are recommended when travelling to the United States. Minor children must travel with their own passports. For further information, please check the following websites: www.viaggiaresicuri.it or www.usembassy.org.uk.
US authorities have implemented the electronic system to collect online biographic information of citizens from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who wish to travel to the United States for business or tourism for temporary stays. All citizens travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must obtain an electronic pre-travel authorisation prior to boarding a plane or ship bound for the United States.
14. Passport photographs (ICAO standards)
Passport photographs must be identical, recent (taken within the last 6 months) and meet ICAO standards (please see photograph guidelines).
A photo booth is available at the Consulate in order to print ICAO compliant photos.
15. I have to pay a passport stamp/duty for this year. How can I do that?
Since June 24th, 2014, according to DL n. 66/2014, art. 5-bis, yearly passport stamps/duty have been abolished and replaced by a one-off fee that is included in the overall passport cost. For further information, please read the section on Consular fees.
16. Which Italian documents are accepted for entry in the United Kingdom?
Please refer to the website www.viaggiaresicuri.it for all relevant details.