The Electronic Identity Card (Carta d’Identità Elettronica – CIE) is an official personal identification document issued to Italian citizens.
A CIE that is valid for travel abroad may be used as a travel document within the European Union and in other countries that recognize it as a valid document for entry into their territory. Before traveling, applicants are strongly advised to verify the entry requirements and travel documents required by their country of destination by consulting the relevant country information page on the Viaggiare Sicuri website (https://www.viaggiaresicuri.it).
IMPORTANT: The CIE cannot be used to enter the United States of America and does not replace a passport for travel between the United States and Italy.
The CIE also provides access to the online services of Italian Public Administrations through the digital identification features associated with the card.
The CIE is not issued on the day of the appointment. It is produced in Italy by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (Italian State Printing Works and Mint) and mailed directly to the address provided by the applicant.
If delivery is unsuccessful or the postal holding period expires, the envelope is returned to the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco for further delivery attempts.
Recent Updates
Applying for a CIE at an Italian Municipality
Effective June 1, 2026, pursuant to Law No. 11 of January 19, 2026, Italian citizens residing abroad who are duly registered with AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) may apply for a CIE at any Italian municipality, regardless of the municipality with which they are registered for AIRE purposes.
Before traveling to Italy, applicants are strongly advised to contact the municipality where they intend to submit their application in order to verify appointment procedures, required documentation, and card delivery arrangements.
Unlimited Validity for Citizens Aged 70 or Older
For citizens who are at least 70 years old on the date of application, CIEs issued on or after July 30, 2026, have unlimited validity in the cases provided for under applicable law.
Applicants are advised to consult the relevant notice for information regarding eligibility requirements, any applicable exclusions, and the electronic features of the card.
Paper Identity Cards
Effective August 3, 2026, paper identity cards are no longer valid for international travel, regardless of the expiration date printed on the document.
Requirements for Applying for a CIE at the Consulate General
The Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco may accept CIE applications only from Italian citizens who are legally residing within its consular jurisdiction.
To be eligible for the issuance of a CIE, the applicant must:
- be an Italian citizen legally residing within the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco;
- be duly registered with AIRE and have his or her personal information correctly recorded in the AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) database maintained by the Italian Ministry of the Interior;
- if born abroad, have his or her birth certificate duly registered in the civil status records of the competent Italian municipality;
- if his or her residential address has changed from the address previously reported to the Consular Office, update the address through the FAST-IT
Applicants who have changed their residential address or whose civil status information has changed and has not yet been reported must update their records before submitting a CIE application.
Any discrepancies or inconsistencies in the applicant’s personal information may prevent the application from being processed.
How to Apply for a CIE
Applicants aged 12 or older must apply in person at the Consulate General. An appointment must be booked exclusively through the Prenot@mi online portal.
During the appointment, the Consular Office will verify the applicant’s identity and supporting documentation and collect the information required for issuance of the card.
For applicants aged 12 or older, a signature and fingerprints will also be collected.
Applications for children under the age of 12 must be submitted according to the specific mail-in procedure described below.
Required Documentation
On the day of the appointment, the applicant must provide:
- the CIE application form (MODULO ), duly completed and to be signed in person on the day of the appointment;
- the applicant’s previous Italian identity card, whether valid or expired, if available. The previous identity document will be surrendered on the day of the appointment;
- if the previous paper identity card or CIE was lost or stolen, the applicant must also provide the corresponding police report filed with the competent authorities;
- a valid or expired Italian passport, if available, or another valid form of identification;
- two recent passport-size color photographs, full-face, against a white background, and compliant with the requirements applicable to identity documents;
- a money order or cashier’s check payable to Consulate General of Italy – San Francisco in the amount of the applicable consular fee. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
Because consular fees expressed in local currency are subject to periodic adjustment, applicants are advised to consult the Consular Fees section (MODULO) of the Consulate General’s website before their appointment and verify the current fee for the Electronic Identity Card.
CIE Applications for Minors
Consent for the issuance of an identity card to a minor is required even when the parents are unmarried, separated, or divorced.
If one parent providing consent is a citizen of the European Union, that parent is not required to appear in person at the Consulate General. It is sufficient to submit the completed and signed consent form together with a photocopy of that parent’s passport or identity card so that the signature can be verified.
If one parent providing consent is not a citizen of the European Union, he or she must sign the consent form (INS LINK AL MODULO MINORI) in one of the following ways:
- in person at the Consulate on the day of the appointment, presenting a valid identification document; or,
- before a U.S. Notary Public.
Minors Aged 12 to 17
For minors who are at least 12 years old but under 18 years old, an appointment must be booked through Prenot@mi. The appointment may be booked by either parent.
The minor must appear in person at the Consulate General for identification purposes and for the collection of his or her signature and fingerprints.
For a minor to be issued a CIE that is valid for international travel, the consent of both parents, or of the person or persons exercising parental responsibility, is required in accordance with applicable law.
Children Under the Age of 12
CIE applications for children under the age of 12 residing within this consular jurisdiction must be submitted exclusively by mail using USPS Priority Mail or USPS Priority Mail Express.
The application package must include:
- the appropriate application form for minors, duly completed (MODULO);
- two recent passport-size color photographs, full-face, against a white background, and compliant with the requirements applicable to identity documents;
- the consent form (MODULO) signed by both parents;
- all documentation required for issuance of the CIE;
- copies of both parents’ identification documents;
- payment of the applicable consular fee in accordance with the procedures described above.
The application form must be signed by both parents. The signatures must be authenticated in accordance with the procedures established by the Consulate General.
Neither fingerprints nor a signature are collected from children under the age of 12.
Applications must be mailed to:
Consulate General of Italy – San Francisco
CIE Office
2590 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Issuance and Delivery of the CIE
The CIE is not issued on the day of the appointment.
The application is processed by the Consulate General and transmitted through the national issuance system. The card is produced in Italy by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (Italian State Printing Works and Mint) and subsequently mailed to the residential address provided by the applicant.
The Consulate General cannot be held responsible for delays, failed delivery, or other service disruptions attributable to postal operators.
Applicants are therefore strongly advised to verify, before submitting their application, that the residential address registered with the Consulate General is complete and up to date.
Validity of the CIE
Without prejudice to the specific provisions of applicable law concerning citizens aged 70 or older, the validity period of the CIE varies according to the cardholder’s age:
- 3 years for children under the age of 3;
- 5 years for minors aged 3 to 17;
- 10 years for adults.
Citizens who are at least 70 years old on the date of application are advised to consult the specific provisions governing CIE with unlimited validity.
Contact Information
For information specifically concerning the Electronic Identity Card issuance service, please contact:
sanfrancisco.cie@esteri.it
Before contacting the CIE Office, applicants are encouraged to consult the Electronic Identity Card (CIE) – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section (FAQ), which provides additional information on the main issues relating to CIE applications, issuance, and use.