Having a baby in Italy

By Capt. Orlando Aquino-SegarraOctober 9, 2018

Having a baby in Italy
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

VICENZA, Italy -- Whether you are planning a family, have a baby on the way, or just welcomed a new bundle of joy, use these tips to prepare for the steps you have to take to comply with Italian Law and Army Policies and Regulations.

First Step: Military Personnel Division (MPD)

Bldg. 28, Office 14 - Caserma Ederle

COMM: 0444-61-7467 / 0444-61-7468/ 0444-61-7469 / 0444-61-7490.

Once your child is born, you have two business days to visit MPD for assistance in preparing the documents necessary to register your child at the Comune di Vicenza (Comune). You need to bring the Sponsor's Passport and Military Identification Card, Spouse's original No-Fee Passport, a certified copy of your Marriage Certificate, and an original Birth Statement (provided by San Bortolo). Only one parent must be present if the parents are married. If the parents are not married, both parents must be present. MPD will help prepare the documents needed for the Comune to register your child's birth.

Second Step: Italian Birth Registration

ACS: Building 108, Caserma Ederle

COMM: 0444-716192

The paperwork from MPD is required to complete the Italian birth registration. Visit Army Community Service (ACS) to schedule an appointment at the Comune. ACS will provide a translator to accompany you to the Comune. By Italian Law, parents are only allowed ten days to register the birth with the Comune. This ten-day period starts the day the child is born, and includes weekends and holidays. Only one parent must be present if the parents are married. If the parents are not married, both parents must be present.

You will receive three Italian birth certificates and five International Birth Certificates at the Comune. Comune di Vicenza is located at Via Torino, 19 -- Vicenza.

Third Step: Enroll Baby in DEERS and Tricare

Central Processing Facility, Bldg. 393, Caserma Ederle

COMM: 0444-61-7132

Once you have your newborn's International Birth Certificate, visit the DEERS Office to add your newborn as a dependent. If the sponsor is the one registering the child, all he or she needs is the International Birth Certificate. If the spouse of the sponsor is adding the child in DEERS, he or she will need a power of attorney from the Sponsor and a notarized copy of the Sponsor's Military Identification Card. DEERS will give you a DD Form 1172-2, Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment. Take this form to Tricare, located at the Health Clinic on Caserma Ederle, to get medical insurance for your newborn.

Fourth Step: Command Sponsorship and Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) Update

S-1

Command Sponsorship (CS) is necessary for family members to live in Italy during the Servicemembers current assignment. To acquire CS, you must submit the necessary paperwork through your S-1. The S-1 will send the documentation to MPD. For children born into a CS Family, the Servicemember needs to provide the child's Birth Certificate, updated DD93, and proof of CS for spouse. Single Soldiers who had their first baby here in Italy must complete and request Command Sponsorship for a new dependent (change of tour to accompanied tour), including the following: DA 4187, Section III, Block 9 -- Service members-signature, Section V, Block 11/12 -- Company Commander's Approval/ Signature; Birth Certificate, PCS orders to Italy, Current DD 93 with all family members Current ERB/ORB, and EFMP screening.

After completing the CS request, submit the DA 4187, updated DD 93 and International Birth Certificate to the Finance Office to update your COLA.

Fifth Step: Obtain Photos for Passports and Soggiorno

Bldg. 93, Caserma Ederle

You need photos of your newborn to apply for their Passports and Soggiorno. You can schedule an appointment at the Caserme Ederle Photo Shop online at www.vios.army.mil from a CAC enabled computer. Walk-ins are also available on Fridays from 1300 to 1600.

Six Step: Application for the U.S. Passport (No-Fee), Tourist passport, Social Security Number, and Soggiorno.

Bldg: 28, Office 16 - Caserma Ederle

COMM: 0444-61-7135

For newborn's passport, married parents and single females will need a DS 2029 (Report of Birth Abroad), DS 11 (Passport Application), International and Italian Birth Certificates (Originals), Parent(s)' Proof of Citizenship, Marriage Certificate, Parent(s)' Divorce Decree(s) or Death Certificate (Prior Marriages), Parent(s)' ID Card(s), ORB/ERB, Military Orders or CPAC Memo, Parent(s)' Proof of Physical Presence (U.S.) and a $215 Money Order (Call the Passport Office before getting the Money Order).

For single male parents, you will need all the documents in the previous paragraph plus a Notarized DS 5507 (Affidavit of Parentage, Physical Presence & Support).

For the newborn's Social Security Application, the required documents are SS 5 (Social Security Application), Parent(s)' Proof of Citizenship, Parent(s)' ID Cards, Child Counsular Report of Birth Abroad and Child's Passport.

Immediately after receiving your child No-Fee Passport, you need to start the Soggiorno application. For the Soggiorno application, you will need the Italian Birth Certificate (Original), Child's Passport (U.S.), notarized copy of the Sponsor's Military Identification Card, Parent's Soggiorno, and Lease Agreement. The Soggiorno office is located at the Central Processing Facility in Bldg. 393, Caserma Ederle, and their phone number is 0444-61-7137.

Planning for a baby can be an exciting and busy time for families. The best stress reliever is to be prepared. The procedures and requirements may vary if the parents are unmarried or if one parent is a non-U.S. citizen. For more information or for specific advice, contact the Vicenza Legal Assistance Office in Building 166 on Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy at DSN 637-8834 or Civilian 0444-61-8834.

Please note that this article only provides basic information and is not intended to serve as a substitute for personal consultation with a Legal Assistance attorney.

Related Links:

USAG Italy Facebook page

USAG Italy website