WHO WE ARE



We are here to help Italian Nationals traveling in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Honorary Consulates assure all compatriots protection in case of violation of their fundamental rights and of limitation or deprivation of their personal freedom. We also provide assistance in cases of emergency, for the search for family members, for succession procedures opened abroad and for the repatriation of remains.

Consular services are provided according to the principles of equality, impartiality, efficiency and transparency.

For further information, the new Consular Guide is available, a publication that is easy to read and illustrates, in a concise and comprehensible manner, the services offered by the consular network to Italians abroad.

Information on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data for the purpose of providing consular services (with the exception of issuing visas and citizenship practices) (General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, art. 13)



Lady holding passport

PASSPORTS


Application for Adult Passport Click Here

Application for Minor Passport Click Here

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY

Italian passports are identity documents, which allow the holders to travel to all the countries recognized by the Italian Government. Please note that expiring passports are not renewed any longer; consequently you must apply for a new one.


Passports currently issued are valid for 10 years and are electronic passports.



· Who may apply for a passport at the Consulate in Houston?
· How do I apply for a passport?
· What documents should I produce to apply for my first passport?
· What documents should I bring when I come to file my application?
· Can I apply for a passport by mail?
· What documents should I produce for a child passport (up to 18 years of age)?
· How long does it take to issue a passport?
· What should I do in cases of extreme emergency?
· What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen?






Who may apply for a passport at the Consulate in Houston?

  1. Italian citizens residing in the jurisdiction area of the Consulate General of Italy in Houston (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas) who are registered with this Consulate and in the Register of Italians residing abroad (A.I.R.E. ) of a Comune (Municipality) in Italy and they have complied with the registration of their vital records (marriage, birth of children and, if applicable, divorce);
  2. In all other cases, the Consulate will need to first obtain an authorization from the relevant authority where the applicant is legally resident (Questura if resident in Italy or Italian Consulate/Embassy if resident abroad). The waiting time will therefore depend on the outcome of our enquiry and may vary from case to case.






How do I apply for a passport? 


In person previous appointment.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

  • FOR CITIZENS REGISTERED WITH OUR CONSULATE: REGARDING ALL VARIATIONS IN CIVIL STATUS (AND TO SUBMIT RELATED DOCUMENTATION) THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE RESIDENCE ABROAD, ITALIAN CITIZENS ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE CONSULAR OFFICE.
    PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF ART. 16 OF THE ITALIAN PASSPORT LAW N. 1185 OF NOVEMBER 21, 1967 READS "AT THE TIME OF THE PASSPORT APPLICATION THE ITALIAN CITIZEN MUST PROVIDE PROVE OF HIS/HERS IDENTITY, POSSESSION OF THE ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP AND THE FAMILY STATUS. IN ORDER TO AVOID DELAYS IN THE DELIVERY OF THE PASSPORT (WHICH WILL BE POSSIBLY MAILED OUT TO YOU AT YOUR EXPENCE) THE VITAL RECORD DOCUMENTS (MARRIAGE AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES OF MINOR CHILDREN) SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CONSULATE WELL AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT.

 

  • FOR CITIZENS NOT REGISTERED WITH OUR CONSULATE: BEFORE SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU RESIDE IN OUR JURISDICTION YOU MUST REGISTER WITH OUR CONSULATE GENERAL, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PUBLISHD IN THE REGISTRY/AIRE PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE. IF YOU ARE HERE TEMPORARILY, SEND AN EMAIL TO passaporti.houston@esteri.it  EXPLAINING YOUR NEEDS.

 

  • EMERGENCIES: IN CASE OF A REAL EMERGENCY (I.E. UPCOMING TRIP AND TICKET ALREADY ISSUED, RENEWAL OF RESIDENCE VISA, ETC.) PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL AS SOON  AS POSSIBLE TO THE PASSPORT OFFICE passaporti.houston@esteri.it SPECIFYING THE REASON OF YOUR EMERGENCY INCLUDING COPY OF DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT YOUR REQUEST.

 

  • IMPORTANT NOTICE

    IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND WISH TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO APPLY FOR YOUR OWN PASSPORT OR YOUR CHILDREN’S, IT IS NECESSARY THAT THE CHILDREN’S BIRTH CERTIFICATES (WITH APOSTILLE AND TRANSLATION) ARE SUBMITTED TO THE CONSULATE AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE PASSPORT APPOINTMENT.

    OTHERWISE IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ACCEPT YOUR AND/OR YOUR CHILDREN’S PASSPORT APPLICATION.







What documents should I produce to apply for my first passport?

  1. Italian citizens born in the USA: please follow the instructions in the section relating to the issue of a passport provided your full birth certificate has been registered in Italy through the Register office of the Consulate;
  2. Italians born outside the USA: the Consulate will need to first ascertain your entitlement to a passport with the relevant authorities (Comune/Questura in Italy or other Italian Embassy/Consulate abroad). The waiting time will therefore depend on the outcome of our enquiry and may vary from case to case.






What documents should I bring when I come to file my application?

  1. a fully completed and not signed (signature/s will collected at the time the application is filed) application form;
  2. your previous passport – if you already have one–  another Italian or local identity document with photograph and signature (i.e. Italian ID card), if applicable, a foreign passport and drivers license. Citizens who have another nationality should necessary bring the passport of that Nation;
  3. 2 passport-size photographs (2"x2" color front view, light background and no smile; the face should not bi bigger than 1.18" W 1.38" H);
  4. passport fees:  € 42,50 ($ 47.10) for the booklet and € 73.50 ($ 81.40) for the administrative fee, payable by postal money order, issued by the US Post Office, made up to “Consolato Generale d'Italia- Houston”; you can make one money order for the total amount of $ 128.50;
  5. valid US residency card or valid visa or, if you are a naturalized citizen of the US, the certificate of naturalization, and the US passport;
  6. A PREPAID AND SELF-ADDRESSED TRACEABLE TYPE ENVELOPE (EXPRESS MAIL, UPS) HAS TO BE PROVIDED, if you choose not to pick it up;
  7. If you have children under 18 years of age, it is imperative to obtain the written consent   of the other parent  which should be accompanied by his/her identity document with signature and photograph- photocopies accepted- (this procedure can be only applied if he/she is an Italian/European citizen - citizens of other Countries must appear in person) - THE SIGNATURE MUST BE SIMILAR TO THE ONE APPEARING ON THE IDENTITY DOCUMENT. The consent must have a current date. The consent is necessary even if you are not married, if you are separated or divorced;
  8. BRING A PHOTOCOPY OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS EXCEPT THE APPLICATION FORM, PHOTOS AND MONEY ORDER.

 






Can I apply for a passport by mail?


It is not possible to apply by mail because our Consulate General has to detect your fingerprints. Click here to schedule an appointment

  






What documents should I produce for a child passport (up to 18 years of age)?


A prerequisite is that your child’s full birth certificate be registered at an Italian Comune or through the appropriate Consulate. If your child already has his/her own passport, please send it or bring it here. ALL MINORS SHOULD BE PRESENT AT THE TIME THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A NEW PASSPORT IS FILED. STARTING FROM 12 YEARS OF AGE THE FINGERPRINTS WILL HAVE TO BE DETECTED.


Please see above and please present the following:

  1. a fully completed and not signed application form. Alternatively, one parent can sign the consent form (only if he/she is an Italian/European citizen the form can be done without the authentication of signature by the Consular Official, but a copy of the ID must be provided- PAGES OF PHOTO AND SIGNATURE). The consent form must have a current date not more then thirty days old;  
  2. both parents’ passports with photograph and signature;
  3. 2 passport-size photographs (2"x2" color front view, light background and no smile; the face should not bi bigger than 1.18" W 1.38" H);
  4. your child’s previous passport, if applicable, and the passport of other foreign Countries of citizenship;  
  5. passport fees: € 42,50 ($ 47.10) for the booklet and € 73.50 ($ 81.40) for the administrative fee, payable by postal money order, issued by the US Post Office, made up to “Consolato Generale d'Italia- Houston”; you can make one money order for the total amount of $128.50;
  6. A PREPAID AND SELF-ADDRESSED TRACEABLE TYPE ENVELOPE (EXPRESS MAIL, UPS) HAS TO BE PROVIDED, if you choose not to pick it up;
  7. valid US residency card or valid visa or US passport (only for people born in the US territory);
  8. BRING A PHOTOCOPY OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS EXCEPT THE APPLICATION FORM, PHOTOS AND MONEY ORDER. 

NOTICE: The validity of the passport for minors differs depending on the age (three years for children from 0 to three years; five years for minors between three and 18 years of age).






How long does it take to issue a passport?

For citizens enrolled with our Consulate General, if allowed by the passport system, the passport will be issued as soos as possible. For all others, it will be issued only upon receiving the required authorizations.


To avoid inconvenience and delays at the receiving window, please notify contact the Passport Office for any question you might have passaporti.houston@esteri.it







What should I do in cases of an extreme emergency?


In cases of a proven extreme emergency you may contact the passport office at passaporti.houston@esteri.it explaining your emergency.







What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen?


Please report it lost or stolen at any US Police Station near where the incident occurred. The original of the report or the reference number should be enclosed with your passport application.

Italian nationals only temporarily in the US for tourism or business whose identity documents have been lost or stolen may apply for an emergency travel document valid for only a single journey back to Italy. It is necessary to come to the Consulate in person only 5 days prior to departure with the following:

  1. a fully completed and signed lost or stolen passport/ID card notification form;
  2. 2 passport-size photographs (2"x2" color front view, light background and no smile; the face should not bi bigger than 1.18" W 1.38" H);
  3. Police lost or stolen passport report or reference number;
  4. children under 18 years of age will need the consent of both parents. This may be faxed to (713) 850 9113 together with a photocopy of the pages of their passports or ID cards showing personal details, photo and signature;
  5. any other document (or photocopy of it) which may be useful for identification purposes.

 

_________________________________________________________

Minors traveling unaccompanied by parents

Minors under the 14 years of age may not travel without a parent or guardian without previous authorization from the Office consular jurisdiction.

The authorization will be issued based on a declaration of accompaniment by the parent or guardian that reports the name of the person or company or airline in whose case the minor will be entrusted during the travel. The declaration must be signed by both parents or guardian before a Consular Office r. The declaration of accompaniment and authorization is valid for one round trip travel, and may be extended for a maximum of six months for compelling reasons (medical treatment, study).

__________________________________________________________

 

Address of the Consulate:

Consolato Generale d’Italia
1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 660
Houston, Texas 77056

 

A.I.R.E.
 

A.I.R.E., which stands for Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero, is a Register of Italians Residing Abroad. You need to register with the AIRE office within 90 days of your date of arrival in the US but only if you have a valid permit to stay for a period of at least 12 months.


 

Consent


The Consent is a written declaration whereby the parent of a minor (under Italian law you are a minor until you reach 18 years of age) authorizes the other parent to have his/her passport issued regardless of whether they are married, cohabiting, separated, divorced. 

Non Italian citizens will however need to give their consent at this Consulate or at an office of any other Italian authority (Comune, Questura in Italy or another Italian Embassy/Consulate abroad) by presenting a valid passport or ID document with photograph and signature.


Photocopy of an identity document


The photocopy of an identity document will have to include the following:
• Personal details (Name and Last name, Place and Date of birth)
• Photograph
• Signature
• ID number
• Date of issue and Expiry date of ID document
• Any children (if included in the passport)


 




Visa Stamps

VISAS

Application for visas are handle at:

CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY - 1300 POST OAK BLVD STE 660 - HOUSTON TX 77056-3088

VISA SECTION OPENING HOURS: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY (Personal appearance is mandatory).

Applications can be submitted not more than 90 days prior of entering the Schengen territory

For information, please contact the visa office by e-mail: visas.houston@esteri.it

- Tourist Visa

- Business Visa

- Study Visa

- Notice (Visas)

- Click Here to Book Online

GENERAL INFORMATION:

HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY: the present regulation provides applicants to carry health insurance coverage before departing. This is necessary in case you have an accident during your stay in the Schengen Countries. Please check carefully whether your medical insurance will pay directly the providers for emergency medical expenses, emergency hospital treatments and repatriation for medical reasons or death. Generally all major US medical insurance companies reimburse the costs for emergency medical treatment abroad but they do not pay directly the providers. In case your insurance doesn’t provide direct payments, you can ask your travel agent or you can check the Internet under: international medical insurance or international travel insurance. You may also contact your credit card company and request information on travel insurance coverage they may be offering. In order to prove you are covered you need to provide a letter from your insurance carrier confirming coverage in the Schengen countries (not only Italy) for the minimum amount provided by the law (Euro 30,000.00/$50,000.00).
WE DO NOT ACCEPT INSURANCE CARDS OR INSURANCE BOOKLET INFORMATION.
This is a list of some insurances that comply with Schengen requirements:

IMG 

INSURE MY TRIP

INTER PARTNER ASSISTANCE (AXA)

SEVEN CORNERS INC.

ACCESS AMERICA

TRAVELGUARD

MEDEX

HCC

EUROPE ASSISTANCE

This is only an indicative list. Any medical insurance  complying with the Schengen requirements will be accepted.

PASSPORT/TRAVEL DOCUMENT: Issued no more then 10 years ago, with at least two empty pages

JURISDICTION:

We can accept application only from residents of the following States: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.Students studying full-time at a University located under our jurisdiction will also meet the residence requirement.If you are a permanent resident of another State click here

US LEGAL STATUS
This Office can process visa request ONLY from US legal residents. Holders of one of the following documents are eligible to apply for a visa:

U.S. Passport;U.S. Permanent Resident Card (formerly Green Card);Foreign students holding valid visas and valid I-20;Exchange visitors holding valid visas and I-66;Long term US visas (Ex. L1, L2, H1, H2, R1 etc…);US Permit to reenter;US Refugee Travel Document (Document de Voyage de refugee’).

MANDATORY FOR ALL APPLICANTS:
• Applicants are required to bring a complete set of documents (ex. a family of 4 people = 4 sets of documents). Multiple applications with only one set of documents will not be accepted.
• Original US Permanent Resident Card (original + one copy of both sides).
• Valid US visa (original + one copy)
• Students with US F1 Visa have to bring a copy of the I-20.
• Original passport + one copy of the main page.
• Airline tickets or flight reservation with information on border of entry in Italy.

MINOR APPLICANTS

in addition to the required visa documents they need to provide the following:

Minors under 18 years of age:

Authorization to travel signed by both parents. Parents can either appear before the VISA Attaché' or send a notarized consent.
Birth certificate, original or a notarized copy; (All foreign documents MUST be translated into English and the translations legalized by the competent Consulate);Notarized copies of both parents' picture I.D.

Minors under 14 years of age:

In addition to the above mentioned letters, the applicant must travel with at least one parent.

PICK UP HOURS:
Passports and Visas can be collected during regular window hours. No appointment is required.

MAILING INFORMATION:
Applicants can provide a SELF-ADDRESSED, PRE-PAID EXPRESS MAIL ENVELOPE to receive the passport and visa by mail. Envelopes with insufficient postage will not be accepted. Passport and visas can be always collected at this Office during regular business hours. WE DO NOT ACCEPT REGULAR MAIL.

PROCESSING TIME:
The Schengen visa processing time may take about 2 weeks.

 

 



Opened Passport

OTHER SERVICES

The Honorary Consulate of Italy - Dallas offers assistance to all Italians in difficulty (accidents, arrests, family problems, etc.) and promptly carries out the necessary fulfilments. We work very closely with Consulate of Italy - Houston and can provide the following services:

  • Passports
  • Students Visas
  • Visas

To learn more please visit: Consulate of Italy - Houston


Richard Gussoni

HONORARY CONSUL


Richard Gussoni is the Honorary Italian Consul of Dallas. In addition to his Consul duties Richard runs Culinaire, a privately held food and beverage corporation head-quartered in Dallas, Texas known for providing high quality food and beverage management services to a diverse collection of accounts, with a strong emphasis on museums and performing arts centers.
The Honorary Consulate of Italy - Dallas

CONTACT US


We are located in Dallas, Texas near Love Field.

By Appointment Only 



HONORARY CONSULATE OF ITALY - DALLAS
8303 Elmbrook Drive
Dallas, Texas 75247

TEL: 214-754-1832
FAX: 214-754-1831

Email: dallas.onorario@esteri.it