Category: Translations
When dealing with foreign documents in Italy — for citizenship procedures, residence permits, recognition of academic qualifications or contracts — you often hear about "certified translation" or "sworn translation". But what exactly does it mean? And when is it actually mandatory?
Simple translation
A simple translation is the faithful rendering of a text from one language into another, carried out by a translator. It does not require any additional legal procedure.
It is suitable for documents for informational use or in contexts where official validation is not required: private correspondence, translation of internal company materials, or personal understanding of a document.
Certified (or sworn) translation
A certified translation — also called a sworn or legalized translation — is a translation that is given official legal value. It is not enough for the translator to be skilled: the translation must be authenticated before a public official.
The process works as follows:
- The translator completes the translation of the document
- A file is prepared containing: the original document (or a copy), the translation, and a sworn declaration
- The translator goes to the Court, Justice of the Peace, or a notary and declares under oath that the translation is faithful to the original
- The public official applies a stamp and signature, making the document official
- In almost all cases, a €16 revenue stamp every 4 pages of translation is required
When is a certified translation required?
A certified translation is required whenever a foreign document must be submitted to a public authority or has legal relevance. The most common cases include:
- Italian citizenship: criminal record certificates and birth certificates from the country of origin must be translated and certified
- Family reunification: the same requirements apply for family members’ documents
- Foreign driving licence conversion: the foreign licence must be translated and legalized before an Italian court
- Recognition of diplomas and academic qualifications at universities or ministries
- Notarial deeds and contracts to be used in legal proceedings
- Civil registry documents (birth, marriage certificates, etc.) to be submitted to the Municipality or Prefecture
- Residence permits and other immigration procedures
Which languages can be certified?
In Italy, certified translations can be obtained for the vast majority of languages. The most requested include:
- European languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Romanian, Polish, Ukrainian, Albanian
- Non-European languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Filipino, Bengali and many others
How much does a certified translation cost?
The cost depends on several factors: the language, the length of the document, the complexity of the text, and the translator’s rate. Generally speaking:
- A short document (1–2 pages) may cost between 50 and 70 euros
- Longer documents or less common languages may exceed 150–200 euros
A common mistake to avoid
Many people think that a certified translation carried out abroad — in the country where the document was issued — is automatically valid in Italy. This is not always the case. In many situations the translation must be sworn by a translator in Italy, before an Italian court. Turning to professionals who know the local procedures helps avoid having to redo everything from scratch.
GR Servizi: certified translations in Turin
GR Servizi provides simple and certified translations in the main European languages. We handle the entire process: from translating the document to preparing the file, up to the certification before the Court or the Justice of the Peace, with the application of the necessary revenue stamps.
If you need to translate a document for a citizenship application, family reunification, driving licence conversion or any other administrative procedure, contact us for a quote.
📞 011 4366827 / 011 4319261 / 011 0266975
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📍 Via della Consolata 17/E – 10122 Torino
🕐 Mon–Thu: 09:00–17:00 | Fri: 11:00–15:00