If a translated document is to be used in a foreign country (for example, for participation in international tenders, the presentation of degrees and qualifications, certificates, etc.), or a document or certificate coming from a foreign country must be notarized for its use in Italy, a sworn translation certification is required.
Asseveration or a sworn translation is a public instrument rendered by the translator, who states that the translation is an accurate representation of the original document. This instrument is implemented with the signing of a specific sworn statement before a Court officer, who in turn certifies the sworn statement and the translator’s identity, affixing his/her signature and the Court stamp on the report.
Legalization in this context is the process of certifying the legal existence of the person who has signed a document and the authenticity of the signature itself.
The legalization of a translation is the authentication procedure of the Court Officer’s signature on a translated document asseveration report to be used in a foreign country. If, on the other hand, the document is translated from a foreign language into Italian for legal use in Italy, only the sworn certification is required. Legalization is carried out by the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court.
Note: the legalization of the signature of the person who signed the original document in Italy must be made at the Court or at the Prefecture, depending on the Public Body that issued it.
An Apostille is the form of legalization required by the Member Countries of the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.
To view the list of countries adhering to the Hague Convention, see the website
http://www.hcch.net/index_fr.php?act=conventions.authorities&cid=41
Iscra also offers support for the completion of the procedures for obtaining Consular Visas and UPICA visas at the Chamber of Commerce.