Italian Passport Renewal

[Lawchem]

My ex partner tells me he needs my permission to renew his Italian passport because we have a daughter together.
The last time he did this, he gave me a form to sign, all in Italian. An Italian -speaking friend translated it for me - I was advised he was trying to add our child to his passport and I shouldn't sign it.
This time he hasn't given me a form but has asked me to write a letter, giving my permission for his passport to be renewed. He also wants a photocopy of my passport and says that without all of this, he cannot have his passport renewed. Does anyone know about this necessecity?

[kazza12345]

how did he get his passport last time if you didnt sign the form? Perhaps he could get it the same way this time. Surely your daughter has her own passport, so why does she need to be on his?

[Lawchem]

Apparently there is a way, but it takes much longer. He needs it urgently - i.e before the end of this week. His sudden need for a passport renewal is genuine - I do know that. But he only sprung this on me a couple of days ago. And typically, our daughter's has just expired. (about 2 weeks ago or so). Incidentally, I don't keep my daughter's passport at home - it's with someone else for "safe-keeping". I don't think he's up to anything, but you can never be too careful, can you...? It seems very bizarre that he would need an ex-partner's permission for a new passport!

[hugnie21]

To renew his own passport he would not need you to sign or write anything so it does seem very strange.
You said he was trying to add your daughter to his passport last time, did he get that done? Because if he did it might be true that he needs your signature again to renew it with her still on it.

I would call the Italian Embassy for advice, they are very helpful.

[sense4all]

Here are contact details of address and phone number.

http://www.embitaly.org.uk/general/mainpage.ht ml

[Dee Sa]

Call me cautious, but you could be signing away any rights to your daughter should a split occur, he will be able to take your child to Italy and the courts will not be able to stop him because you have given your written permission.
Either go with him and they Embassy can translate for you or go to your Citizens Advice Bureau for help.
Just refuse and see what happens.
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING you are not happy with.
If you are not married to this man why do they need a copy of your passport ? get advice and soon.

[Lawchem]

Thank you all for your replies.
I phoned the Italian embassy to ask about this. Strangely, it's true - they DO require my permission! If I refused, he would have to go through a court process to renew his passport and this would cost money and take time.
The embassy told me that they request the other parent's permission to PROTECT again child abductions - ie so that the mother is aware that the father is plannning on getting a new passport and therefore may be intending to leave the country.

What I did in the end was write him a letter stating that I gave my permission for him to renew his passport and specifically stated that he is NOT to add our daughter to it.

So there we go - strange but true!! Learn something new everyday, eh?!

[sense4all]

How often does his passport have to be renewed then? Just curious!

[Lawchem]

Every 5 years.
But he's just told me that they now won't issue him a passort without our daughter's full, original birth certificate..... about to make another phone call to the embassy!!

[sense4all]

Was that a bridge too far, or a legal requirement, Lawchem?