How to Get your Documents Officially Translated in Italy

If you decide to get married in Italy, come here on holiday and drive a car, buy a house, establish a business, or apply for dual citizenship, you'll need to have your documents officially translated.
But how exactly does it work? And can you do this in your home country?

​In my experience, there are often problems with the translations of your documents done abroad. Not because my colleagues are not professional, but because requirements may vary. In the US, for example, certification of the official translation is enough and apostilles do not need to be translated. In Italy, official translators do not exist, and apostilles must be translated. So you'll have to have your documents translated again, spending time and money - again.

What does your Italian translator need to kick off the translation process?

Only a picture of your documents, or at least a description of what it is you need to have translated.
However, a picture is always better, because for example certificates differ from State to State and it's difficult to quantify the amount of work required.

What does the quote contain?
​
The quote consists in 
service required: translation or review/proofreading of your documents/ certification
administrative costs for sworn translations: in Italy certified translations require revenue stamps (marche da bollo) - 1 per every 4 pages of translation, plus 1 revenue stamp (3.87 €) on the certification page.

Do administrative costs apply to all translations?

No, only to sworn translations. And some documents are excluded: for example, those regarding international adoptions, divorce (in general, family law).
With the recent introduction of Regulation (EU) 1191/2016, birth, death, family status certificates do not require apostilles nor translations, if they are accompanied by a standard multilingual form. However, this only applies to European citizens.

When will my documents be ready?

The delivery date depends on the number of documents and on the type of service required. If you need to have your documents sworn in Italy, you'll have to send the originals, so you'll need to factor in mailing times as well.

Any doubts? Feel free to contact me!

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