Contrary to what happens in Australia, where a change of name or surname is carried out through a simple administrative procedure, in Italy the change of a name and/or surname is an administrative process that involves several authorities (Prefecture, AIRE Municipality, Consulate) and develops through several stages. It is therefore not possible to estimate the exact duration of the procedure, as it depends on all the authorities involved.
Pursuant to Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) No. 396/2000, any Italian citizen who intends to change or modify their name and/or surname must obtain authorization from the Prefect. Requests must be of an exceptional nature and are accepted only in the presence of objectively relevant circumstances, supported by adequate documentation and significant reasons.
In particular, D.P.R. 396/2000 allows:
- The change of a first name or surname because it is ridiculous or shameful, or because it reveals natural origin (Art. 89);
- The change of a first name or the addition of another first name (Art. 89);
- The change of a surname or the addition of another surname (Art. 84).
Under no circumstances can the assignment of surnames of historical importance, or otherwise likely to cause confusion regarding the applicant’s belonging to illustrious families or to families particularly well-known in the place where the applicant’s birth certificate is registered or in their place of residence, be requested.
Women are not allowed to change their surname to assume that of their husband.
Minor applicant
In the case of an application to change the name and/or surname on behalf of an ITALIAN minor child whose birth record has been transcribed in Italy, a specific form must be used. This form must be signed by both parents and accompanied by copies of the parents’ and the minor child’s passports.
PROCEDURE
The applicant must:
- Book an online appointment for CONSULAR SERVICES;
- Personally submit the application for the change of name/surname, completed in Italian, attaching:
- A photocopy of an Italian identity document;
- All documentation that the applicant deems relevant to justify the request. By way of example, this may include foreign civil status documents with the new personal details, Italian and/or foreign identification documents, declarations, etc.;
- A receipt for payment of the stamp duty in the amount of EUR 16.00, to be paid to the competent Prefecture by bank transfer, using the following bank details:
BENEFICIARY: Bilancio dello Stato
IBAN: IT79Z0100003245BE00000000QK
BIC: BITAITRRENT
REASON FOR PAYMENT: “Italian fiscal code” – Stamp duty on application to the Prefecture – reference year (YYYY) or month/year (MM/YYYY)
The Consulate forwards the documentation to the Prefect.
The Prefect carries out the investigation and, if the required conditions are met, issues a Provisional Decree for the change of first name and/or surname and sends it to this Consulate.
The Consulate informs the applicant, who will be summoned to the Consulate to request the publication of the Provisional Decree on the Consular Notice Board for 30 days.
After the 30-day period has elapsed, the Consulate informs the competent Prefecture that the publication has taken place without objections.
The Prefecture issues the Final Decree for the change of name and/or surname and transmits it to the Consulate.
The Consulate sends the Final Decree to the applicant.
Upon receipt of the Final Decree for the change of name and/or surname, the applicant must request its transcription with the Municipality where their birth record is registered or with the AIRE Municipality, unless otherwise indicated in the decree by the Prefecture.
Once the Municipality has recorded the change of name and/or surname in its registers, the Consulate will be able to update the applicant’s personal record and issue new documents with the updated personal details (passport, identity card, tax code, etc.).