The use of an Italian Death Certificate In Australia

In Italy, a death certificate can be issued either by the Civil Registry Office of the Municipality of the deceased person's last residence, or the Municipality where the death occurred.

It is an official document issued by a public officer.

The Apostille and the Hague Convention

The Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, simplifies the reciprocal recognition of official documents between signatory countries.

Italy and Australia are both signatories to that Convention.

By operation of this Convention, a document issued in Italy can be recognized and enforced in Australia (and vice versa), provided that the document bears the Apostille.

Apostille is a certification attached to the original document issued by the competent authority of the issuing country having the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the signature and stamp of the public officer.

Validity in Australia

Once an Italian death certificate has been apostilled, it has the same legal value as that issued by the corresponding Australian authority under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act.

In other words, it is as if the document were issued in Australia and can therefore be used in that country for all legal or administrative procedures requiring proof of a person's death in Italy.

In summary

• The death certificate is issued by the competent Italian municipality officer.

• It shall be apostilled in accordance with the 1961 Hague Convention.

• an apostilled document is recognized and can be used in Australia.