PASSPORT APPLICATION
To apply for a new passport, the applicant must make an appointment using the following link: Prenot@mi (when booking an appointment for a minor, please select “Multiple Booking”) , and submit the following documentation:
- Application form, available in the forms section;
- Consular fee (passport booklet cost: €42.50 + administrative fee: €73.50), to be paid in local currency and subject to quarterly exchange-rate adjustments. Since 24 June 2014, the annual tax on ordinary passports has been abolished;
- Current passport.
The application and attachments may be sent in advance by email (canton.consolare@esteri.it) if the applicant is already registered with AIRE in the jurisdiction of this Consulate General.
The applicant must appear in person for the required collection of biometric data. The requirement to include fingerprints in passports was introduced by European legislation, specifically Regulation (EC) No. 2252/2004 (as amended by Regulation (EC) No. 444/2009), which came into force on June 29, 2009.
For issuing passports to citizens residing and/or registered with AIRE in a different consular jurisdiction or in Italy, the Consulate may issue the passport only after authorization from the competent authority (Police Headquarters or another Consulate) is acquired.
Consular Office Hours
The consular counter is open to the public at the following times:
- Monday to Friday: 9:15 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tuesday and Thursday also: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Address of the Consulate General
Unit 1403, IFP, 8 Huaxia Rd, Pearl River New City, 510623 Guangzhou PRC
Tel: +86 20 38396225#135 Fax: +86 20 85506370
意大利驻广州总领使馆中国广州市珠江新城华夏路8号合景国际金融广场14楼1403室 邮政编码510623
电话 +86 20 38396225 转 135 传真 +86 20 85506370
对外开办公时间 星期一至星期五 9:15 -12:00, 星期二及星期四14:30 – 15:30
Starting from 14 June 2023, parents of minor children are no longer required to present the consent of the other parent in order to obtain their own identity document (passport or electronic identity card/CIE), pursuant to Decree Law 69/2023. However, as specified in the amended Article 3-bis of Law 1185/1967, when there is a real and current risk that a parent may evade obligations toward their children by moving abroad, the other parent may request a court order preventing the issuance of the document.
The application may be submitted to:
- the competent judge at the ordinary court where the minor habitually resides; or
- if the minor resides abroad, to the court covering the municipality where the minor is registered with AIRE; or alternatively
- to the Consul General, acting as Guardianship Judge, at the consular office where the minor is registered with AIRE.
For issuing documents to minors, however, the signed consent of both parents or of those exercising parental responsibility remains mandatory.
EXEMPTION FROM BIOMETRIC DATA COLLECTION
Permanent exemption from fingerprint collection is granted:
a) in cases of documented permanent illness or physical impediment (e.g., medical certification issued by a local health authority or hospital);
b) in cases of obvious physical disability or malformation (medical certification not required).
In these cases, an ordinary passport without fingerprints is issued with a 10-year validity, whereas, in cases of temporary inability to provide fingerprints due to reasons beyond the applicant’s control, a temporary passport will be issued.
Permanent exemption from signature requirements is also granted to:
a) illiterate individuals;
b) individuals with a certified or documented physical inability preventing them from signing.
PASSPORT APPLICATION FOR MINORS
Since 26 June 2012, all Italian minors traveling abroad must have their own individual travel document. Therefore, from that date onward, minors — even if previously included in their parents’ passports before 25 November 2009 — must possess either:
- an individual passport; or
- where accepted by the countries visited, a valid identity card for travel abroad or equivalent document.
Passport validity for minors
- 3 years validity for children aged 0–3;
- 5 years validity for minors aged 3–18.
Required documents for a minor’s passport application
Parents must submit:
- Application form (available in the forms section);
- Authorization from the other parent. Italian and EU citizens may submit consent using the form available in the forms section, together with a signed identity document. Non-EU citizens must appear in person at the Consulate General or alternatively provide a consent document notarized by a Chinese notary;
- Consular fee (€42.50 passport booklet + €73.50 administrative fee), to be paid in local currency and subject to quarterly exchange-rate adjustments. Since 24 June 2014, the annual passport tax has been abolished;
- Two front-facing passport photos of the child with white background (3.5 × 4.5 cm);
- The child’s current passport, if already issued.
The presence of the minor at the Consulate General is mandatory regardless of age.
Fingerprints and signatures are collected only from the age of 12 onward.
Processing times may vary considerably, especially if the child is not resident within the consular jurisdiction and not registered with AIRE.
ACCOMPANYING DECLARATION FOR MINORS UNDER 14
All minors under 14 traveling without one of their parents or legal guardians must be entrusted to one or more accompanying persons whose names will appear in a specific “Accompanying Declaration” (as provided by Article 3, paragraph a, of Law No. 1185/1967).
In the declaration, parents or guardians may also request:
- that the accompanying person’s details be mentioned in the minor’s passport; or
- that this Consular Office issue a certificate containing those details.
At least one accompanying person must be indicated, though applicants may choose to list two alternate accompanying persons.
The declaration must be requested from:
- the consular office where the applicant resides; or
- the Police Headquarters (Questura) for minors residing in Italy.
The declaration is valid for only one trip (outbound and return) outside the minor’s country of residence to a specific destination.
The maximum validity is 6 months, and in any case it cannot exceed the expiration date of the minor’s passport.
The Consular Office is also authorized to issue travel declarations for minors if required by the destination country. This document is NOT an accompanying declaration; rather, it is simply a statement issued to help avoid travel difficulties for the minor.
ELECTRONIC IDENTITY CARD (CIE)
The Consulate General of Italy in Guangzhou is authorized to receive applications for the Electronic Identity Card (CIE) from Italian citizens registered with AIRE and residing in its jurisdiction, which includes the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Hunan, Guangxi, and Jiangxi.
- What is the Electronic Identity Card?
The identity card is a travel and identification document valid for identification and travel within the European Union, certain Schengen countries, and other countries with bilateral agreements (see the country information sheets on the website www.viaggiaresicuri.it).
- Who can obtain a CIE?
The Consulate General of Italy in Guangzhou may accept applications only from Italian citizens registered with AIRE and residing in this consular district, by appointment through the Prenot@mi portal.
Please note that starting June 1, 2026, AIRE-registered citizens may also apply for a CIE at any Italian municipality. The document will then be delivered using the same procedures as for applications submitted abroad, with the option of collecting it from the issuing municipality.
- When can a CIE be requested?
- To replace a valid paper identity card;
- First issuance;
- In case of theft, loss, expiration, or damage of a previous CIE.
- Payment method
Consular fees amount to €21.95 and payment must be made in RMB.
Important Notes
- The CIE is produced by the Italian State Mint and Printing Institute and will be delivered to the Consulate approximately two months after the application date. The ID can be either collected at the Consulate or it can be shipped to the applicant’s address via courier service (shipping costs to be paid by the recipient);
- If the applicant already has a CIE, the old ID card will be canceled when applying for the new one.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ELECTRONIC IDENTITY CARD (CIE)
- Book an appointment
The first step is to book an appointment through the Prenot@mi portal (when booking an appointment for a minor, please select “Multiple Booking”) .
- Documents required on the appointment day
The applicant must present:
- A valid Italian ID or passport;
- Declaration for CIE collection;
- In case of theft/loss of the previous CIE, a police report issued by local authorities.
If applying for a minor’s CIE, both parents must also be present and bring their own identity documents. On the appointment day, adults may have their photo taken free of charge at the Consulate. Alternatively, applicants may bring a front-facing passport photo with white background (3.5 × 4.5 cm). For children under 12, a passport photo must always be provided.
- Issuance process
The CIE application will be sent to the Italian State Mint and Printing Institute, which will produce the document. The CIE will then be shipped by courier from the Consulate to the address provided during the application process (shipping costs paid by the recipient) or it can be collected at the Consulate.
Forms