B23: What sort of information is on an Italian birth certificate and how do I obtain if from Italy?

Birth Certificate (Atto di Nascita)

In order to properly register a birth, the new infant had to be physically taken to the town’s recorder of vital records (ufficiale dello stato civile) and presented to him. Usually the presenter was the father of the new infant and the recorder was the mayor (sindaco). The record of the birth usually contains the following information:

About the presenter:

• Name
• Age
• Profession
• Place of residence

About the mother:

• Maiden name
• Age
• Place of residence

About the father:

• Name
• Age
• Profession
• Place of residence

About the infant:

• Date of birth
• Hour of birth
• Place of birth
• Name

About witnesses to the presentation (usually two):

• Names
• Ages
• Professions
• Places of residence

In many of the towns in Italy, the information about the birth of an infant was written on the left side of the birth act, and information about the baptism of the infant was written on the right side, usually giving only the date and parish of the baptism.