Consultability of confidential documents
Documents held in the State Archives are freely accessible - art. 122, Title II - Chapter III of the Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code (Legislative Decree 22 January 2004, No. 42 and subsequent amendments).
Exceptions are:
- confidential documents relating to the foreign and domestic policy of the State, which become freely accessible 50 years after their date of issue.
- documents containing "sensitive" data on private individuals (such as those revealing racial and ethnic origin, religious, philosophical, or political beliefs, as well as membership in associations, political parties, and trade unions), limited to the last 40 years and unless the individual has made explicit or implicit admission.
- documents regarding health, sexual habits, and confidential family relationships, limited to 70 years.
- final criminal convictions recorded in the Criminal Records Office, which may be consulted after 40 years.
However, art. Article 123, paragraph 1 - Title II - Chapter III of the Code provides for the possibility of authorizing, subject to specific procedures and precautions, the consultation of confidential documents before the deadline.
How to Submit a Request
A scholar may request consultation of confidential documents for historical purposes before the deadline.
To obtain the necessary authorization, the user must submit a request to the State Archives of Pesaro-Urbino for consultation of confidential documents, pursuant to Article 123 of Legislative Decree No. 42 of January 22, 2004, as amended.
The request must indicate, in addition to the applicant's personal details, the specific reasons for the study and the archival collection or collections (specifically relevant to the research objectives) for which consultation is requested. Information regarding personal identification data must be supported by the presentation of an identification document, the details of which must be noted.
Upon approval from the Director of the State Archives of Pesaro-Urbino, the request will be forwarded to the Prefecture of Pesaro directly by the State Archives.
Upon receipt of the consultation authorization decree issued by the Ministry of the Interior, the State Archives of Pesaro-Urbino will forward it to the user, inviting them to come to the Reading Room where, after completing the appropriate form, they will be able to consult the documents.
Ultimo aggiornamento: 08/05/2026