How Italy handles apostilles and sworn translation — and what foreign documents Italian authorities require.
Overview
Italy is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 11 December 1978. Documents from other Hague countries need only an apostille from the country of origin to be valid in Italy — no consular legalisation. The Italian system distinguishes between apostille (for Hague signatory countries) and legalizzazione (for non-Hague countries), handled by the Prefettura (Prefecture) for civil status and notarial documents, the Procura della Repubblica for court documents, and the Ministero degli Affari Esteri (MAECI) for outgoing federal documents. For foreign-language documents used in Italian procedures, sworn translation (traduzione giurata or traduzione asseverata) is required. Unlike Spain's centralised traductor jurado system, Italy operates a decentralised system — translations are sworn before any Italian court (Tribunale) or notary, and translators don't need formal accreditation though most are CTU (consulenti tecnici d'ufficio) registered with the courts. This guide details every step, verified against esteri.it, interno.gov.it, and prefettura.it.
Italian Apostille and Legalisation System
| Document Type | Issuing Authority | Apostille From | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil status (birth/marriage/death) | Comune (Municipal Registry) | Prefettura (Prefecture) | EUR 16 marca da bollo |
| Academic degree (university) | Italian university | Prefettura of degree's province | EUR 16 marca da bollo |
| Police clearance (Italian casellario giudiziale) | Procura della Repubblica | Procura della Repubblica | EUR 16 marca da bollo |
| Court/notarial document | Notary or court | Procura della Repubblica | EUR 16 marca da bollo |
| MAECI documents | Ministry of Foreign Affairs | MAECI Office | EUR 16 marca da bollo |
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See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get an apostille for an Italian document?
Depends on the document. Civil status (birth/marriage/death certificates): Prefettura of the province where the document was issued. Academic degrees: Prefettura of the province where the university is located. Police clearance (casellario giudiziale): Procura della Repubblica. Court/notarial documents: Procura della Repubblica. Federal documents: MAECI (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Each apostille requires EUR 16 marca da bollo per document.
How much does an Italian apostille cost in 2026?
EUR 16 marca da bollo (revenue stamp) per document. Marca da bollo purchased at any tabaccaio or online via Agenzia delle Entrate. In-person processing is typically same-day; by post takes 5-15 business days. No additional Prefettura/Procura fees beyond the marca da bollo for standard apostille.
Does Italy accept apostilles from other countries?
Yes — Italy is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 11 December 1978. Documents from other Hague-member countries are accepted in Italy with just the originating country's apostille — no Italian consular legalisation needed. For non-Hague countries, dual legalisation by home-country authorities + Italian embassy/consulate in the country of origin is required.
What is traduzione giurata?
A sworn translation under Italian law. The translator translates the foreign document, then 'swears' (asseverates) it before a court clerk (cancelliere) at any Tribunale or before a notary. The court records the oath. The sworn translation is legally valid for Italian procedures. Cost: EUR 60-150 per document including translation + marca da bollo + court fee. Italy has no formal sworn-translator registry like Spain's traductor jurado — any qualified translator can swear a translation, though most authorities prefer CTU-registered translators.
How much does sworn translation cost in Italy?
EUR 60-150 per document for typical certificates. Translation itself EUR 30-80 per page; asseverazione (court oath) adds EUR 16 marca da bollo + court/notary fee EUR 0-50. Multi-page documents (academic transcripts, court rulings) often quoted per word. Translation costs vary by language pair — common European languages (English, French, German, Spanish) at the lower end; less common (Mandarin, Arabic) at the higher end.
Do I need to translate everything into Italian for Italian procedures?
Generally yes. Documents not in Italian must be sworn-translated for use in Italian official procedures. The exception is some autonomous regions: Alto Adige/South Tyrol accepts German + Italian; Valle d'Aosta accepts French + Italian. For national authorities (immigration, courts, civil status), Italian is required. Some procedures informally accept English at initial assessment but require formal Italian translation for the final submission.
Can I use a sworn translation from another country in Italy?
Generally not for formal procedures. Italian authorities prefer translations sworn before Italian courts. Other countries' sworn translators (Spain's traductor jurado, France's traducteur assermenté) may not be accepted directly — the Italian receiving authority has discretion. Best practice: have the apostille from the country of origin attached to the original, bring the apostilled document to Italy, and have an Italian translator do a traduzione giurata.
How long are Italian civil status documents valid for foreign use?
Italian civil status certificates (birth/marriage/death) generally need to be issued within 3-6 months of submission to foreign authorities. The originating comune issues fresh certified copies on request — most accept online ordering via the comune's portal. For Italy-internal use, older originals may be accepted but check with the receiving authority. The apostille itself doesn't expire, but the underlying document being certified does.