Travelling to Italy? You Need Translations

Understanding the legal requirements of the Italian Government 

Italian document translation requirements like most countries, can be very specific, particularly for legal and administrative purposes. Here is a general overview of the requirements:

1. Sworn Translation: Foreign documents must be translated by a sworn translator. The translation must be sworn before a court, a notary, or a justice of the peace. This process is called "asseverazione" in Italian. This sworn translation is synonymous with the certified translation in the US.
    
2. Legalisation or Apostille: Depending on the country of origin, the foreign document might need to be legalised or apostilled. Italy is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents from other member countries require an apostille rather than full legalisation. You can have this issued online or by the equivalent foreign affairs ministry in your country.
    
3. Types of Documents: Sworn translations are only required of official documents that were issued by an official government entity and are to be used in an official capacity. Common documents requiring translation include birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational diplomas, legal contracts, and official identification documents.
    
4. Bilingual Formats: Sometimes, translations must be presented in a bilingual format, showing the original text alongside the Italian translation.
    
5. Submission to Authorities: The translated documents need to be submitted to the relevant Italian authorities, which might include local municipalities, immigration offices, universities, or legal entities.

By maintaining these requirements, the Italian government ensures that there will be no misunderstanding of the purpose of a foreigner's visit to Italy, and that sworn translators in Italy will only deliver quality translations

Types of translations you may need going to Italy

There are different types of translations, depending on what your reason for visit is. Previously we shared some intent to visit Italy, now we will discuss the types of translations you may need and when you will need them.

Sworn translations 

A sworn translation, also known as a sworn statement or sworn affidavit, means the translator has taken an oath before a court, notary, or justice of the peace, affirming that the translation is accurate and true to the best of their knowledge. These types of translations are required for travels to Italy that will require you to submit your birth certificate, school certificate, passport, marriage certificate, a death certificate (if needed) to the Ministry of Interior in Italy, the Italian Embassy in your country, or the Italian Border Police.

Legal document translations

You will find that legal document translations are necessary when dealing with contracts, deeds, and other legal documents inside and outside Italian courts. Accuracy is paramount in legal translations to ensure that all terms and conditions are correctly translated. Foreigners managing businesses in Italy will understand this. Examples of legal documents that might need translation include:

• Contracts and agreements
• Property deeds
• Wills and testaments
• Court documents
• Patents
• Adoption papers
• Divorce decrees

Apostille and Legalisation

After translating official foreign documents, next comes the apostille.  An apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of your official document for international use (in this case, Italy). This process ensures that documents issued in your country can be recognised and accepted in Italy by certifying the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears. As we mentioned earlier, an apostille is only an accepted form of certification in Italy where your country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your country is not a member, you will need to go down the legalization route. It is a longer route, but it is essential to ensure the acceptance of your documents.  

Choosing a qualified translator in Italy

Having learnt all of this, the next step would be to show you how to settle on a good sworn translator for your upcoming visit to Italy. It is a simple process but can be complicated if you do not do your due diligence. 

1. Experience and Qualifications: Search the internet for translators who are experienced and have the necessary qualifications in legal or certified translations, using search strings like “sworn translators in Italy” or “Italian sworn translator”.
    
2. Reputation: Check reviews and testimonials from previous clients to ensure the translator has a good reputation for providing accurate and reliable translations.
    
3. Certification: Ensure the translator is certified to provide sworn translations, which are often required for legal and official purposes.
    
4. Language Proficiency: The translator should be proficient in both the source and target languages to ensure accurate translations.

Once you confirm this, ask if they offer apostille services also, some translation companies like Translayte, offer apostille and notarisation options alongside the sworn translations they provide.

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