The documents stored in the State Archives are freely accessible - Article 122, Title II - Chapter III of the Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape (Legislative Decree of January 22, 2004, No. 42, and subsequent amendments).
Exceptions include:
- Those of a confidential nature related to the foreign and domestic policies of the State, which become freely accessible 50 years after their date.
- Those containing the "sensitive" data of private individuals (capable of revealing racial and ethnic origin, religious, philosophical, and political beliefs, as well as membership in associations, political parties and trade unions), limited to the last 40 years, unless the individual has made a declared or implied admission.
- Documents concerning health, sexual habits, and confidential family relationships, within a limit of 70 years.
- Final criminal judgments recorded in the Judicial Record, accessible after 40 years.
However, Article 123, paragraph 1, Title II, Chapter III of the Code allows for the possibility of authorizing, with specific procedures and precautions, the consultation of confidential documents before the expiration of the terms.
Methods for submitting a request.
The researcher, for study purposes, can request access to confidential documents for historical research before the expiration of the time limits.
To obtain the necessary authorization, the user must submit a request for the consultation of confidential documents to the State Archive of Caserta, in accordance with Article 123 of Legislative Decree No. 42 of January 22, 2004, and subsequent amendments.
In the request, the applicant's personal details must be provided, along with specific study reasons and the archival fonds (specifically related to the research purposes) for which consultation is requested.
Once the Director of the State Archive of Caserta grants approval, the request will be forwarded to the Prefecture of Caserta.
Upon receiving the authorization decree for consultation issued by the Ministry of the Interior, the State Archive of Caserta will send it to the user, inviting them to visit the Study Room where, after filling out the appropriate forms, one can access the documents for consultation.
