As with the first film, no opening credits are shown. Although it is now commonplace for films not to have opening credits, it was considered innovative in 1974.
This is the only Godfather film not to feature a stand-alone title screen against a black background. Instead, the title appears over Michael Corleone's chair after he gets up from it.
Closing credits state that this film is "Based on the Novel "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo". In fact, only the scenes showing the young Vito Corleone have any basis in the novel. Everything dealing with Michael Corleone and his family in Las Vegas was created for the film, with the exception of the character Deanna Dunn, the wife of Frederico 'Fredo' Corleone.