International adoption country guide
Italy: adoption records and family tracing
Practical guidance for adoptees based in the UK who were adopted in Italy, were born there and adopted in the UK, or have a birth parent from there.
Research last refreshed: September 2026
Ask the Adoptee Rights Assistant
Start by identifying the records and rules that apply
The adoption date, court district, comune of birth registration, institution or social service, adoption body and whether the birth was confidential determine the process. Civil registration and the adoption file are separate holdings.
A person abroad can begin with a written enquiry to the competent Juvenile Court or CAI, but Italian-language documents, certified identity, a lawyer or in-person steps may be required. If the adoption was made in the UK, obtain the UK file first and use Italian civil records only after confirming the parent or child's name and comune.
Check the current procedure before applyingThis guide explains the likely process, but forms, contact details, eligibility and access rules can change. Check the linked source before sending identity documents or paying a fee.
Choose the situation that describes you
Adopted in Italy
What applies: Identify the date, place and legal form of the arrangement in Italy before choosing a records process.
How to look for records: Identify the competent Juvenile Court, civil-status office, social services authority and adoption body. For a domestic Italian adoption, the adopted person normally petitions the Juvenile Court for access to origins information under article 28 of Law 184/1983. For an international adoption into Italy, also request the Commission for Intercountry Adoptions (CAI), authorised-body and country of origin files separately.
How to look for family: Italian law provides a judicial origins-access process rather than a single nationwide tracing service. An adopted person may normally seek origins information at age 25, or from 18 where serious and proven psychophysical-health reasons exist. A confidential birth requires the special court procedure: the court may confidentially ask whether the birth mother wishes to maintain anonymity, but disclosure is not guaranteed.
Important: One record holder does not hold the whole history; apply the specific to the country access, confidentiality and legal status rules.
Born in Italy and brought to the UK to be adopted
What applies: Establish whether an order or care arrangement was made in Italy, in the UK, or both.
How to look for records: Identify the competent Juvenile Court, civil-status office, social services authority and adoption body. For a domestic Italian adoption, the adopted person normally petitions the Juvenile Court for access to origins information under article 28 of Law 184/1983. For an international adoption into Italy, also request the Commission for Intercountry Adoptions (CAI), authorised-body and country of origin files separately. Separately obtain the UK immigration, receiving-agency, court and adoption records.
How to look for family: Italian law provides a judicial origins-access process rather than a single nationwide tracing service. An adopted person may normally seek origins information at age 25, or from 18 where serious and proven psychophysical-health reasons exist. A confidential birth requires the special court procedure: the court may confidentially ask whether the birth mother wishes to maintain anonymity, but disclosure is not guaranteed.
Important: Origin-country and UK records are separate; do not infer recognition or finalisation from nationality alone.
One parent was from Italy
What applies: Do not use an adoption record process merely because a parent was from Italy; start with the parent's verified identity and locality.
How to look for records: Use UK birth and adoption records first, then civil registration, archives and genealogy after obtaining the strongest available name, date and place.
How to look for family: Use consent-sensitive documentary and family finding procedures in the relevant country. Apply the specific to the country DNA caution.
Important: A parent's nationality does not itself create access to another person's adoption or civil records.
Records and family finding
Start with records
Identify the competent Juvenile Court, civil-status office, social services authority and adoption body. For a domestic Italian adoption, the adopted person normally petitions the Juvenile Court for access to origins information under article 28 of Law 184/1983. For an international adoption into Italy, also request the Commission for Intercountry Adoptions (CAI), authorised-body and country of origin files separately.
Looking for family
Italian law provides a judicial origins-access process rather than a single nationwide tracing service. An adopted person may normally seek origins information at age 25, or from 18 where serious and proven psychophysical-health reasons exist. A confidential birth requires the special court procedure: the court may confidentially ask whether the birth mother wishes to maintain anonymity, but disclosure is not guaranteed.
DNA
DNA may be useful as a parallel family finding process, including through Italian adoptee-led support, but a match is a lead rather than proof. Consider consent, privacy, unexpected findings and provider terms, and corroborate matches with records.
Peer support
ICAV lists DnAdozione and Italiadoption for people adopted from Italy. They are independent adoptee-led resources, not courts or government records services; check current activity, eligibility, privacy and any costs.
Practical next steps
If you have no namesUse the adoption judgment or receiving-country file to identify the Italian Juvenile Court, comune, social service and adoption body, then request each holding separately.
If you have a name or placeUse the verified name, date and comune with the court and civil-status process; use a consent-sensitive intermediary or supported approach before contacting a living relative.
If the search has stalledAsk for a written decision identifying the restriction or successor record holder. Where confidential birth applies, use the court procedure; otherwise consider archives, qualified legal help and carefully bounded DNA research.
Verified sources and resources
Official services and independent or adoptee-led resources are shown separately. Check current eligibility, security, costs and capacity before supplying personal information.
Official records and authorities
Locating the Italian central authority, authorised bodies and international-adoption record process.
Things to check: Primarily covers international adoption into Italy, not every domestic adoption or adult tracing request.
Confidential judicial procedure concerning a birth mother's continuing wish for anonymity.
Things to check: The decision does not guarantee disclosure or authorise direct contact.
Article 28 legal basis for adoptee access to origins information.
Things to check: Use the current consolidated Italian text and obtain legal advice for disputed access.
Adoptee-led peer and search resources
Italian adoptee-led information and support concerning DNA and origins searches.
Things to check: Check present services, eligibility, consent, privacy and any costs before providing sensitive information.
Lists DnAdozione and Italiadoption for people adopted from Italy.
Things to check: Independent groups; check current activity, eligibility, costs and privacy. Not an official records process.
Other verified resources
Age gates and the court application process for adopted people seeking origins.
Things to check: Local court practice and competence must be confirmed; confidential-birth cases require the special judicial procedure.
This country guide provides general information, not legal advice or a tracing service. Records and family finding across borders can involve privacy, consent and personal safety considerations. Verify the current official procedure before acting.
← Return to all researched countries