{"id":3157,"date":"2025-03-06T17:26:24","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T16:26:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laiga194.it\/come-fare-il-certificato-di-ivg\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T19:55:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T18:55:41","slug":"abortion-certificate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laiga194.it\/en\/abortion-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"How to do an abortion certificate (IVG Certificate)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why an abortion certificate?<\/h2>
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In Italy, an abortion certificate<\/strong> (aka the IVG certificate, “certificato di IVG”) is a document required by Law 194\/1978<\/strong>, which decriminalised abortion in Italy. It is described in Articles 5, 8 and 9 of the law. Its role in the process of Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy <\/strong>(in Italian, IVG) is to certify both the existence of a pregnancy<\/strong> and the patient\u2019s wish<\/strong> to terminate it.<\/p>\n

For this reason, the certificate is issued by a medical practitioner together with the person<\/strong> who needs it. The consultation takes place in accordance with the law, as provided for by Law 194\/1978. Today, it is legally permitted for the consultation to take place remotely<\/strong>, as with other healthcare services, under the Ministry of Health Decree of 17 December 2020 (Act 215\/CSR)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

Manuale-aborto-scelta-senza-ostacoli<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Italian-speaking guide to abortion in Italy<\/strong>
Download the guide, for an IVG without barriers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

Seven days\u2019 waiting period – or not<\/h2>
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Italian law states that, from the date on which the document certifying a request for a non-urgent<\/em> IVG is issued, there must be a waiting period of seven days before the termination is carried out. This period is intended to allow the person further time to reflect on their decision.<\/p>\n

However, if there are medical, psychological or social circumstances for which waiting would be inadvisable, the clinician may issue a certificate marked \u201curgent\u201d<\/strong>, thereby removing the mandatory waiting period.<\/p>\n

It should be noted that the Italian law of 1978 is outdated in comparison with current recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong>, which advises that all voluntary terminations of pregnancy should be treated as urgent, since the earlier the procedure is performed, the safer, more effective and less impactful it is on the physical and psychological health of the person who has made their decision.<\/p>\n

In an ideal situation, therefore, the clinician should always certify the IVG as urgent.<\/p>\n

We also recall that, even when holding an urgent<\/em> IVG certificate, it is still possible to change one\u2019s mind up until the moment the procedure is actually carried out. Furthermore, the National Health Service is rarely able to guarantee a service entirely free of waiting times, mainly due to delays caused by conscientious objection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
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Difficulties in obtaining an IVG certificate<\/h2>
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The certificate may be issued by any medical practitioner registered <\/strong>with the Italian Medical Council (Ordine dei Medici), including those with a specialisation other than Gynaecology, outside of public family planning clinics, and even if they are not the patient\u2019s registered GP.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, despite the fact that conscientious objection is not protected by law<\/strong> for the issuing of an IVG certificate, in Italy, many clinics and doctors refuse to provide this healthcare service, either explicitly or implicitly. We receive reports from patients of healthcare staff claiming they are not authorised, asking them to come back another day, or referring them elsewhere.<\/p>\n

In such cases, the advice is to submit the request via Italian certified email (PEC)<\/strong>, in order to obtain written proof of the unlawful refusal and to be able to report the issue with the support of a pro-choice organisation.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, IVG certificates can also be issued via telemedicine<\/strong>: any conscientious medical practitioner can fulfil the role of trusted doctor required by law, regardless of their speciality (orthopaedics, andrology, psychiatry, etc.).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

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How to write a IVG certificate?<\/h2>
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Although any doctor registered with the Medical Council (Ordine dei Medici) may issue a certificate, Italian medical universities do not teach how to do this<\/strong>. This is where we provide support.<\/p>\n

The consultation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The consultation must be conducted in accordance with the law. Article 5 of Law 194\/1978 states that the doctor\u2019s role is, in all cases – and particularly when the request for termination is motivated by the impact of economic, social or family circumstances on the pregnant person\u2019s health – to examine, together with the woman and with the father of the conception (where the woman consents), and with full respect for dignity and confidentiality, the possible solutions to the issues raised; to help remove the causes that might lead to termination; to enable her to assert her rights as a worker and as a mother; and to promote any appropriate intervention to support her, offering all necessary assistance both during pregnancy and after childbirth.<\/em><\/p>\n

After the consultation, the certificate may be issued.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
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IVG Certificate (Template)<\/strong><\/p>\n

[On headed paper including the doctor\u2019s Medical Council registration details]<\/em><\/p>\n

ITALIAN<\/p>\n

Documento rilasciato ai sensi di quanto previsto dall’art. 5 della legge n. 194\/78.<\/span><\/p>\n

Data<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Si \u00e8 svolto oggi il colloquio telefonico\/in videochiamata\/di persona con [<\/span>Nome e cognome persona richiedente], <\/span><\/em>nat_ a [Citt\u00e0]<\/em> in provincia di [Provincia<\/em>] il [Data di nascita<\/em>], <\/span>residente a [Citt\u00e0]<\/em> in via [Indirizzo completo di Cap e provincia], <\/em><\/span>come risulta da documento personale esibito.<\/span><\/p>\n

La stessa persona riferisce ultima mestruazione in data [data]; <\/em>epoca di amenorrea: ___ settimane + ____giorni.<\/span><\/p>\n

Accertamenti eseguiti: (specificare: N test di gravidanza casalinghi positivi, o analisi del sangue con Beta, o ecografia)<\/em>, eseguiti in data [data]<\/em> eventualmente [presso].<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

La persona interessata richiede l’interruzione volontaria della gravidanza in base alle circostanze <\/span>previste dall’art. 4 della legge n. 194\/78.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nel corso del colloquio sono state esaminate con la richiedente le possibili soluzioni, come previsto dall’art. 5 della legge n. 194\/78.<\/span><\/p>\n

Il certificato, in questo caso \u00e8<\/span><\/p>\n