Cencus records

[Edward]

I was not aware that cencus records were required. Can someone give me more information? Is there anything else that will suprise me? I also have a very old birth certificate for my grandfather will it be an issue?

[LookingEast]

You do not need census records, unless you are using them to prove something that you cannot easily prove with the standard set of vital records which you would submit in an application.

You need to get an apostille on every non-Italian vital record (birth/marriage/death) that you include in the application. Then, you have to permanently release the paper to the Italian government.

For that reason, you will probably want to keep the old certificate as an heirloom and get a new birth certificate for your grandfather. Then, you would send the certificate to a higher level of government for an apostille.

In the United States, apostilles are given by the Secretary of State (or Commonwealth) of the state where the vital records originate. An apostille functions as an authentication of a record, and the signature of the government employee who produced it.

[Tiffany]

Actually you do need them but only for certain consulates, like San Francisco, to prove non-naturalization. What consulate are you using?

[Edward]

I am going to the New York consulate. I am worried that the old birth certificate is not going to be acceptable. It is in tough shape but it is readable.

[Em]

If your grandfather's birth certificate is from Italy, you can make a copy of it and show them the original. New York does not keep Italian birth certificates but they will want a copy.

[zagnut]

I'd get the estratto from the comune and give it to the consulate (free, just write the comune). Keep the original with your family treasures.