Italian Id Card is used as a way to identify yourself around Italy and Europe.  You do not need one if you have a passport and getting one from the US is next to impossible.  It is a small booklet-type document (pictured above).

You can use it in place of your passport in some cases.  You need an identity card or a passport to work in Italy and other countries in the European Union.  A list of countries that recognize and accept the validity of the Identity Card for admission into their territories, for which the ID is equivalent qualification to the passport:

1. 1. AUSTRIA
   2. BELGIUM
   3. CYPRUS
   4. CROATIA
   5. DENMARK
   6. FINLAND
   7. FRANCE
   8. GERMANY
   9. GREAT BRITAIN
   10. GREECE
   11. HUNGARY
   12. IRELAND
   13. ICELAND
   14. LIECHTENSTEIN
   15. UXEMBOURG
   16. MALTA
   17. MONACO
   18. NORWAY
   19. NETHERLANDS
   20. PORTUGAL
   21. SLOVENIA
   22. SPAIN
   23. SWEDEN
   24. SWITZERLAND
   25. MACEDONIA (Only if the ID card is accompanied by a special ID card issued at the border upon payment of a sum of around € 25.82.)
   26. MOROCCO, TUNISIA, and TURKEY (Only for those who visit it with an organized trip.)

If you have an Italian passport then probably not.  It is just another way of identifying you.  If you are able to get one, then do it.  It can’t really hurt, especially if you are planning on living and working in Italy.  Plus, it is cool.

In order to get an Identity Card, you must first be an Italian Citizen and your vital statistics must be registered with your Comune.  If you are not an Italian Citizen, you can’t get one.

1. You must appear in person at the Comune with:

• 3 recent half-length photos without a hat
• Your identification document (passport, certificate of citizenship, US license, etc).  Something that proves you are who you say you are.

Upon handing over these documents and waiting the necessary time for production, the identity card is issued directly to you.  You must stipulate that you want the document valid for travel abroad.

The identity card is valid for 5 years from the date of issue (release date details under the photo):

• Italian citizens: only need to present the expired document (if expired a long time you need a picture ID or 2 other witnesses) and 3 photographs.
• In the case of theft or loss, you must must present the documents as listed above, and a complaint made ​​by the competent authorities (Police Station).