Passport issuance (or renewal) for holidays or business travel: when unpaid sanctions may lead to rejection.
When can a passport issuance be denied?
Being unable to obtain or renew a passport can become a serious problem, especially when travel/business plans are already set. However, such a restriction is not automatic and only occurs in specific circumstances provided by law.
The relevant legal framework is Article 3 Law No. 1185/1967; a passport application may be denied when there are final criminal convictions (judgments against which no appeal is pending or possible) which entail for the convicted person the obligation to serve a custodial sentence or to pay a fine or pecuniary penalty.
Which fines (or debts) can affect passport issuance?
Not all sanctions affect passport eligibility. In particular, the law refers to unpaid criminal fines and pecuniary penalties.
By contrast, the following do not lead to passport restrictions: tax debts and administrative fines, such as unpaid traffic tickets.
When does a passport-block occur?
A restriction can only be imposed when there is an unresolved criminal conviction, which includes unpaid fines or penalties ordered by a judge.
What to do if your passport application is denied?
To avoid refusal of the passport application, any outstanding criminal fine or pecuniary penalty should be paid before submitting the application.
If the application has already been denied, the applicant may settle the outstanding amount and only subsequently request an authorization (nulla osta) from the competent authority responsible for enforcing the judgment in order to regularize the position, which retains discretion as to whether the authorization will be granted.
For further information, please contact our Citizenship Department: citizenship@mazzeschi.it
Related articles:
- What Are the Requirements to Obtain the Italian Passport?
- From December 1st Passport Issuance and Renewal Fees Can be Paid Online
Article written by Giuditta De Ricco and Greis Muca
