Practical guide
How to file a formal report (esposto) with AI
5 min read · Updated June 2026 · Editorial oversight: Avv. Federico Papa
An *esposto* (formal report or petition) is a procedural instrument through which an individual reports a fact perceived as irregular or unlawful to the public authorities, requesting a technical or legal assessment. Unlike a formal complaint (*querela*), it often serves a precautionary function or aims to resolve disputes between private parties, grounded in Article 1 of the TULPS and Articles 4 and 5 of its Implementing Regulation (R.D. 635/1940) for public safety mediations. It is typically employed when the reporter is uncertain about the criminal relevance of conduct but wishes to prompt the Public Safety Authority or the Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate, prevent harm, or ascertain administrative or criminal violations. Its primary purpose is thus to trigger the authority's supervisory power, serving as a means of information for facts that might otherwise remain unknown to the public administration or the judiciary.
In brief
The esposto is a procedural instrument for reporting irregular facts, primarily serving precautionary or dispute resolution purposes. It is based on Article 1 TULPS (Royal Decree 773/1931) and Articles 4 and 5 of Royal Decree 635/1940. Unlike a denuncia, it is utilized when criminal relevance is uncertain. The document requires identification of the reporter, a chronological statement of facts, and evidentiary attachments. Filing occurs at the Public Prosecutor's Office or Public Safety authorities via PEC or personal delivery. AI tools assist in the technical drafting.
The steps
- 1.
Identification of the competent authority
The first crucial step involves identifying the recipient body based on the nature of the reported facts and territorial jurisdiction. If the facts show potential criminal relevance, the esposto should be addressed to the Public Prosecutor's Office (Procura della Repubblica) or a Judicial Police office; if they concern administrative or building violations, the recipient should be the local administrative authority, such as the Mayor or Municipal Police. Correct identification avoids procedural delays due to official transfers and ensures that the assessment is promptly initiated by the body holding effective powers of intervention. It is advisable to check whether specialized offices exist for the subject matter, such as environmental protection departments or labor inspection units.
- 2.
Identification of the reporter and the parties involved
The document must contain the full personal details of the reporter (esponente), including tax code and contact information for notifications, to ensure the report's admissibility. While it is possible to submit anonymous reports, these do not hold the value of a formal esposto and rarely lead to structured investigative acts, except in cases of particular gravity. It is essential to also indicate the details of any witnesses or parties who have suffered direct harm from the narrated facts, providing every element useful for their prompt traceability. This documentary precision strengthens the credibility of the document and provides the authority with the basis for initial informative hearings.
- 3.
Analytical and objective exposition of facts
The narrative must be structured in chronological and logical order, avoiding subjective assessments or unnecessarily emphatic adjectives that could undermine the report's objectivity. It is necessary to describe with precision the place, time, and specific circumstances in which the event occurred, highlighting the factual elements that lead to the suspicion of an irregularity. It is preferable to divide the text into numbered paragraphs to facilitate reading and the referencing of key points by investigators. The objective is not to formulate a definitive legal accusation, but to provide a clear framework that allows the authority to subsume the facts under a specific criminal or administrative offense.
- 4.
Indication of evidence and attachments
Every narrated circumstance should be supported, where possible, by documentary or photographic evidence expressly cited within the text of the esposto. It is necessary to prepare a numbered list of attachments, including copies of correspondence, technical reports, videos, or audio recordings that prove the truthfulness of the reported facts. If the evidence is in the possession of third parties or public administrations, the reporter must indicate to the authority where to find them. The completeness of the evidentiary support is decisive for passing the initial screening stage and avoiding immediate dismissal for manifest groundlessness or lack of elements.
- 5.
Formulation of the request to the Authority
The concluding part of the esposto must contain an explicit request for the recipient Authority to ascertain the existence of illegal profiles in the described facts. It is fundamental to include the request to be notified under Article 408 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the event of a potential dismissal request (richiesta di archiviazione), a right reserved for the person offended by the crime to exercise the right of opposition under Article 410 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. If the esposto is filed for preventive or conciliation purposes, one may request the intervention of the Public Safety Authority for the amicable settlement of the dispute under Article 1 of the TULPS. A vague or missing request may lead the authority to consider the document as a mere communication not soliciting any specific action.
- 6.
Signing and filing methods
The esposto must be dated and signed by the reporter by hand or via qualified digital signature if sent electronically. Filing can take place in person at the competent offices, following identification, or via Certified Electronic Mail (PEC), which ensures certainty regarding the date and receipt of transmission. It is recommended professional practice to always request a filing certificate (attestazione di deposito) or a delivery receipt for internal evidentiary purposes. If the esposto is submitted by a lawyer on behalf of a client, the special power of attorney (procura speciale) granting representative power for that specific act must be attached.
Legal basis: Articolo 1 del Testo Unico delle Leggi di Pubblica Sicurezza (TULPS)Articoli 4 e 5 del Regolamento d'esecuzione TULPS (R.D. 635/1940)Articolo 333 del Codice di Procedura PenaleArticoli 408 e 410 del Codice di Procedura Penale (notifica archiviazione per la persona offesa)D.P.R. 445/2000 in materia di dichiarazioni sostitutive e documentazione
Related checklist: Key Checks Before Filing a Police ReportThe template structure
The standard sections that make up the document. The full template can be opened and completed directly on edit.legal.
Recipient Authority
Indicates the judicial, public safety, or administrative authority to which the document is formally addressed.
Reporter (Esponente)
Contains the full personal details of the individual filing the report and their legal contact information.
Exposition of facts
Detailed, chronological, and objective description of the events intended for assessment by the authority.
Request to the Authority
Specifies the requested actions, such as the ascertainment of truth or the adoption of precautionary measures.
Attached documents
Numbered list of all documentary, photographic, or digital evidence supporting the report.
Place, date, and signature
Indicates the time and place of drafting and applies the seal of validity through the signature.
Mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the *esposto* with a *querela*, omitting the explicit request for punishment required for offenses prosecutable only upon complaint.
- Use of slanderous tones or direct accusations without evidence, exposing the reporter to criminal liability for *calunnia* (Art. 368 c.p.).
- Failure to include the request for notification of dismissal under Art. 408 c.p.p., or omitting that such right belongs exclusively to the injured party.
- Generic narrative lacking spatial-temporal references, which makes the document unsuitable for grounding any serious investigative activity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between an esposto and a denuncia?
A *denuncia* is the reporting of a crime prosecutable *ex officio*, while an *esposto* is aimed at the settlement of disputes between private parties or reporting facts of uncertain criminal relevance.
Can an esposto be submitted anonymously?
No, a valid *esposto* requires the identification of the reporter; anonymous reports have no procedural value and are generally dismissed unless they constitute the *corpus delicti* or extremely grave elements emerge.
Does filing an esposto involve legal costs or stamp duties?
Filing an *esposto* is free and does not require the payment of unified contributions or stamp duties, as it is a report to public authorities in the interest of justice or safety.
What edit.legal automates
- —Automatic generation of identification data and headings for the competent authority based on territorial jurisdiction.
- —Automated verification of standard regulatory references, such as Art. 1 TULPS and notice clauses under Art. 408 c.p.p. for the injured party.
- —Guided structuring of the factual exposition with AI suggestions to maintain the objectivity and relevance required for the report.
Put edit.legal to the test on actual cases
Try edit.legal for free on an active case. No credit card required.
Try edit.legal for freeThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice for your specific case.