Sworn, Certified and Legalised Translations
When a document must have full legal validity, a standard translation is not sufficient. A sworn translation is required: our most requested service for over 50 years, managed in-house at our Rome and Milan offices.
What is a Sworn (or Certified) Translation?
Sworn translation and certified translation are synonymous: they refer to the same act with full legal validity.
Upon completion of the work, the translator appears before the competent public official and takes an oath, signing a certification record that attests the absolute faithfulness of the translation with respect to the original.
The certified file submitted to the Court contains, in order: the original text, the translated text and the signed oath record. Each translation must bear the date and signature of the translator; stamps, coats of arms, photographs and images contained in the document must be described and translated.
Our translators are Expert Translators registered with the Court's CTU Register — an additional guarantee that exceeds the minimum regulatory requirement. We manage the entire process in-house, thanks to our established relationships with the Courts of Rome and Milan. The document we deliver is already certified and immediately usable.
Documents requiring sworn translation
Certified translation is required whenever a foreign document must be presented to an Italian authority or institution, or vice versa. The most common cases:
- Notarial deeds and wills
- Academic qualifications and professional credentials
- Civil status certificates (birth, marriage, divorce)
- Driving licences and vehicle registration documents
- Residence permits and immigration documents
- Court documents, judgements, legal opinions
- Contracts, corporate statutes, merger and acquisition deeds
- Intellectual property proceedings documents
Sworn Translation Between Foreign Languages — Double Certification
A technical point that few are aware of: in Italy it is not permitted to certify a translation that does not include Italian as either the source or target language. If a document must be translated, for example, from English to German, the correct procedure involves two steps:
- Translation from English to Italian + first oath
- Translation from Italian to German + second oath
We also handle these cases independently, coordinating both steps without burdening the client's workflow.
Legalised Translation for Abroad
When a certified translation must be recognised outside Italy, an additional step is required: legalisation. The procedure depends on the destination country.
Apostille — Countries party to the Hague Convention
An official stamp affixed directly in Italy (Public Prosecutor's Office or Prefecture): the fastest method for countries within the convention circuit.
Legalisation — Countries not party to the Convention
The competence lies with the Public Prosecutor's Office or Prefecture. We manage the entire bureaucratic process.
Consular Legalisation
For non-convention countries, the procedure may require passing through the Consulate of the destination country. We take care of everything.
Sectors and Clients
We work with law firms, embassies, ministries and large corporations for sworn and legalised translations in the following areas:
Why choose Executive Service Traduzioni
Court-registered Expert Translators
Above the minimum regulatory standard: an additional guarantee of quality and legal validity for every translation.
Full in-house process management
Certification, apostille, consular legalisation: a single provider for the entire chain, with no external delegation.
Offices in Rome and Milan
Strategically located near Courts and foreign Consulates. Operating across the whole of Italy.
Established relationships with authorities
Guaranteed timescales even for urgent matters, thanks to direct relationships with Courts, Prefectures and Consulates.
Double review before certification
Zero margin of error on legally binding documents: every translation undergoes two independent quality control checks.
Absolute confidentiality
Secure handling of court documents, contracts and sensitive materials. Strict and binding protocols for all collaborators.
Request a Free Quote
Send us your document and indicate the destination country and authority. We will assess the necessary procedure — certification, apostille or consular legalisation — and provide you with an accurate quote promptly.