Sworn Translations in Italy

Sworn Italian Translations

If you're presenting a non-Italian document as part of an official application in Italy, then you may be asked to provide a sworn Italian translation.

We explain how you can obtain one below.

Official translation requirements in Italy

Foreign, non-Italian, documents to be used as part of an official application within Italy need to be translated into Italian. For the translation to become official, it also needs to be “asseverated”. The asseverated translation, popularly known as a sworn translation, includes a declaration from the translator taking responsibility for the translated text, with a statement of oath. Any false declarations made under oath are punishable under the Italian Penal Code.

Sworn translation process in Italy

Translators producing a sworn translation in Italy will need to meet one of the following requirements:

• Enrolled with the “Albo dei Consulenti Tecnici” (CTU) in an Italian Court.
• Registered in the roll of experts & technical consultants maintained by each Chamber of Commerce
• Enrolled into any accredited professional translator association, or on an official list of translators kept by a government agency.

The translator goes in person to an Italian court and signs the “Oath Statement” in which they swear to have faithfully and in good faith, translated the document and assume the civil and criminal liability for their work.

In order for an Italian translation to be sworn, the documents presented must be bound as follows:

• Original text (or a true copy of the original document)
• Translated text
• Statement of oath (signed by the translator)

The translation is then supplemented by the signature of the Judicial Secretary.

Note: Translations cannot be sworn if they are translated from one foreign (non-Italian) language to another foreign (non-Italian) language. Sworn translations must be from or to an Italian text.

Sworn Italian translations with Apostille

If a sworn Italian translation is to be used abroad, then the signature of the Judicial Official on the translation will need to be legalised at a Public Prosecutor’s Office within a local court. 

In practice, the notary official countersigns the report of the oath of the translator. If the country of destination of the translated document is among the States that have signed the Hague Convention of 1961, the Hague Convention Apostille will be attached. If the country is not a signatory to this Convention, the Italian authorities will proceed to the simple legalization of the document.

How to obtain a sworn Italian translation

Translayte works with an extensive list of sworn Italian translators that are qualified to translate from most languages into Italian. We can provide sworn Italian translations that are accepted by any of the following agencies and organisations in Italy:

• Ministero degli Affari Esteri - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministero dell'Interno - Ministry of the Interior
• Agenzia delle Entrate - Agency of Revenue
• Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca - Ministry of Education, Universities and Research

Our sworn translations are also accepted by universities, banks, local authorities, courts and foreign embassies based in Italy.

Legalised translations for use in Italy

If you’re not resident in Italy, would prefer to have the translation completed locally, or cannot find a sworn translator into Italian for your document, then you may be able to produce a Legalised Translation for use in Italy.

A legalised translation is an official translation that can be produced in your home country, which is then legalised by a competent authority and affixed with an Apostille. An Apostille makes the translation recognised in any country that is party the Hague Convention. 

We recommend that you check with the receiving body to ensure they can accept a legalised translation into Italian before requesting one. While some Italian Embassies may accept Legalised Translations, we cannot guarantee that all authorities in Italy will accept it.