Divorce order first name correction

[Chrism]

Hello all,

I'm applying for Italian Citizenship and all documents I provide must have the correct birth names listed.

My father's divorce order has his shortened name, Robert instead of Roberto.

Firstly, is it possible to make the change and what would the process be?

Thank you very much!

Chris

 

[Tim W]

It can help to understand that you can't change anything on his documents.
If he is still alive, then he will need to do it.
If he's not, then you'll need to check with the consulate where you are applying.
(for example, this link is to the Consulate of Italy in Sydney)

The Consulate will want to be sure of his identity, as part of your application.
Many, many, first-gen Italian migrants changed their own names when they got here.
And then, many of them gave their descendants traditional Italian names "on the record"
(Birth Certificate, baptism, bank accounts, passports, etc)
but used the Anglicised version in day to day life thereafter.
Take a little comfort from remembering that this will not be the first time
that this question has ever come up.

Worst case - he's already passed away, and you do (and pay a fee for) an archive search of the Family Court records
for the relevant files. Then you make an application to the court - for which further fees are payable - to have the name corrected on the record.
That's probably not a DIY.
Especially when you consider that he may have, as a deliberate choice at the time, called himself "Robert".

 

[Chrism]

Hey Tim,

Thank you for the reply.

He's still alive, so all good there. Do you know the process required for him to do it? Or should I contact the family court of Aus?

 

[Tim W]

Hey Tim,

Thank you for the reply.

He's still alive, so all good there. Do you know the process required for him to do it? Or should I contact the family court of Aus?

You don't do anything.
It has to be him.
This is not something that you fix with a Stat Dec and an hour on hold.
I suggest that he seek the advice of a Family Law specialist in the first instance.

But before anyone does anything, contact the Consulate and ask them what they need in this situation.