charliemis wrote:

Couldn't you get the same thing by going to the FHC and ordering the correct microfilm?? You can then save a digital copy of the original recorded document. This is assuming you know the correct Comune of birth and the approximate year of birth.....then a little bit of time......and you might actually get it sooner this way

If the document is required for legal purposes (i.e a citizenship claim), they will not accept this. At least in my case they would not - it had to be on official paper (such as it is) with the correct stamp(s) on it.

thank you for all the great responses! since posting this, a friend of a friend called. The comune had received the request back in early June but had not yet done anything with it. The woman said she "would start on it tomorrow right away" but that since they are very old documents it would probably take some time. And that since everyone is away on holiday it would probably take even more extra time. But that the consulate would know this and would understand. Okay.... here's hoping!