The term “self-certification” means, “sworn statement by the person concerned in place of a regular certificate” (art.2, Law 15/1968). This offers the citizen the possibility of supplying the same information present in the public registry but in a simpler and less costly manner.
Self-certification can be used to verify the following data:
- date and place of birth, domicile and citizenship;
- enjoyment of political rights;
- birth of a child, death of a spouse, ancestor or descendant;
- enrolment in associations or lists required by the public administration;
- all the information directly known by the person concerned which figure in the public register of births, marriages and deaths, proof of being alive, vital records;
- academic qualifications or professional qualifications, state and university exams completed, postgraduate qualifications, other recognised competencies/qualifications, training course qualifications, refresher course qualifications, technical qualifications (only for academic qualifications or professional qualifications obtained in Italy);
- income or financial status provided for the purpose of obtaining benefits and advantages of whatever type foreseen by specific laws;
- dispensation from specific tax obligations, with an indication of the amount;
- tax code or VAT number, any information contained in tax register;
- unemployment status, pensioner status and category of pension, student status, housewife status;
- status as legal representative of physical or legal persons, guardian, trustee and similar;
- membership in social groups or associations of whatever type;
- fulfilment, or not, of military obligations, including those in art. 77 of D.P.R. n. 237/64 as modified by art. 22 of law 958/86;
- lack of criminal record;
- all the information directly known by the person concerned which figure in the public register of births, marriages and deaths;
- status of dependency on someone
- certificates, diplomas, or statements for the enrollment in schools of any kind or level and universities that need to be exhibited to the Vehicle Licencing Office;
- certificates and statements from the register of vital records, or the demographic records required by the Municipality within procedures of their competency.
The self-certification option is available only to Italian and European Union citizens.
The right to avail oneself of personal sworn declarations has also been extended to non-EU citizens legally staying in Italy, as far as can be verified or certified by Italian public authorities.
Self-certification is NEVER allowed for the following kinds of certification:
- medical;
- hospital-related;
- veterinarian;
- of nation origin;
- EU conformity;
- labels;
- patents.
A valid self-certification replacing the normal certification can be written on ordinary non-letterhead stationery and signed on one’s own exclusive responsibility (it is not necessary to sign in front of an official). The copy of a valid ID document of the signatory is also necessary.
Self-certifications can be used in dealings with the public administration and with those entities authorised to provide public services.
They can not, however, be used in dealings between private individuals, except if the latter agree to it, or officially before a judicial authority acting in its jurisdictional capacity.
Sanctions for citizens who make false declarations:
If the public administration doubts the truth of the self-certification, it is obliged to make the necessary investigations.
Incorrect statements, falsified documents and use of false documents are punishable according to the penal code and laws concerning the matter.
Moreover, the person making the statement forfeits any benefits granted as a result of the provisions based on his/her untrue statements.