Still a long time, but the passport issuance it becomes easier for those who have minor children: the consent of the other parent will no longer be necessary and the document can be issued in a simplified way. This is the novelty introduced with article 20 of decree-law n.69 of 13 June 2023, which modifies the law of 21 November 1967 n.1185 relating to the rules on passports. "A similar rule also applies to the issue of identity cards valid for expatriation". However, it remains mandatory state police say – the consent of both parents for the issuance of a passport in favor of the minor child.
Following this change, the consent of the other parent is no longer required for the issuance of a passport in favor of a parent of a minor child, vice versa the passport cannot be issued if a certificate has been issued against the applicant injunction by the judicial authority. This provision, which prevents the recipient parent from get passport, can be issued by the judge at the request of the other parent or the public prosecutor, in cases where there is a concrete and current danger that the latter may escape from fulfilling his obligations towards the children.
Bolzano is the city with the longest waiting times for passport issuance
A Bolzano we have to wait more than 7 months to have an initial availability of an appointment on the ministerial platform for issuing a passport. This is what emerges from the latest Altroconsumo investigation relating to the request for delivery and renewal of passports in Italy, which illustrates a situation that has worsened compared to November 2022 on the timing of issuance and document renewal. Bari, Bologna, GenoVa, Padova, Torino e Milan it was not possible to book an appointment, while the most efficient cities are Florence e Napoli, where you can get the first appointment even the next day. Well too Rome, where you can book two days later. Nothing has changed since the last survey for GenoVa e Padova which were already without availability, while for Bologna in November there was the possibility of an appointment the next day on the platform.
Why such long times?
Delays started happening right away after the pandemic, when people returned to travel and requests for passports that had expired in the meantime piled up. Then there was the Brexit which has forced many to obtain a passport instead of, as before, only an identity card. Finally, there are also the new citizenships which lead to the passport request and direct management (initially mediated by the Municipalities), with the introduction of electronic fingerprints for which only police headquarters and police stations are authorised.
