Sworn (Certified)
Translation in Italy
Official service Russian · Italian · English
A sworn translation carries full legal validity in Italy and is required for immigration, degree recognition, notarial deeds and other official documents. Below you will find everything you need to know: procedure, costs, and accepted formats.
What is a sworn translation?
In Italy, a sworn translation (also called a certified translation) acquires full legal validity through a formal process: the translator swears an oath before a court officer (cancelliere), who countersigns and stamps the translated document.
Once completed, the translation and the original document become permanently attached. It is required by Prefectures, Police Headquarters, Courts, Municipalities, Universities, notaries and many other bodies for the official recognition of foreign documents.
How the process works
Document translation
The translator produces a complete translation: main text, stamps, seals, handwritten annotations and signatures. Illegible elements are explicitly noted. No errors in the original may be corrected by the translator.
Court appointment
A court appointment must be scheduled in advance. Anastasia Tumanova certifies sworn translations at the Court of Velletri (province of Rome).
Official seal and legal validity
The court officer countersigns the document and affixes the official stamp. The translation thereby acquires full legal validity and is permanently attached to the original document.
What gets translated
The sworn translator must translate every visible element of the document into the target language, with the exception of any parts explicitly indicated as omitted:
- Main body text of the document
- Stamps and seals (even if partially legible)
- Handwritten annotations and marginal notes
- Signatures and initials (described as such)
- Illegible elements (explicitly indicated as illegible)
Accepted document formats
The following formats are accepted for sworn translation:
Original
The original paper document
Certified copy
A copy authenticated by a notary
Scan copy
A high-resolution digital scan
Language combinations
In Italy, sworn translations cannot be performed directly between two foreign languages. Italian must always be either the source or the target language.
Anastasia Tumanova provides sworn translation for the language pairs Russian ↔ Italian and English ↔ Italian. For Russian ↔ English documents, a two-step process is required: Russian → Italian → English (or vice versa).
Costs and stamp duty
government stamp duty per every 4 pages of translation
(including the oath certificate page)
Stamp duty is a mandatory state tax in Italy.
Contact me for a free personalised quote.
- Stamp duty: € 16.00 per 4 pages (legally mandated)
- Translator's fee: free quote on request, depends on complexity and length
- Notary fees: in some cases (e.g. notarial deeds) the translation may be sworn before a notary. In such cases the notary charges an additional fee
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ANASTASIA TUMANOVA
Sworn translator and interpreter
Russian · Italian · English
To request a free quote or find out more about sworn translations in Italy, contact me by phone or email. I respond in Italian, Russian and English.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sworn and a certified translation?
In Italian law the two terms are used interchangeably. "Sworn" refers to the oath taken by the translator before the court; "certified" refers to the formal certification act. The result is identical: a translation with full official legal validity recognised by authorities.
Where are sworn translations certified in Italy?
Anastasia Tumanova certifies sworn translations at the Court of Velletri (province of Rome). An appointment must be booked in advance.
How much does a sworn translation cost in Italy?
The cost includes the mandatory government stamp duty (€ 16.00 per every 4 pages, including the oath page) plus the translator's fee, which varies by document length and complexity. Contact me for a free quote.
Is a sworn translation valid abroad? Do I need an apostille?
If a sworn translation is intended for use abroad, an apostille or legalisation of the court officer's signature is often required. For countries party to the Hague Convention an apostille is applied; for all others the signature is legalised. Both procedures are carried out at the Public Prosecutor's Office (Procura della Repubblica) and Anastasia Tumanova can handle them on your behalf.
How long does a sworn translation take?
Turnaround times depend on the length and complexity of the document, as well as the availability of a court appointment. Please send a clear photo or scan of your document to receive a quote and an estimated delivery time.
Can I submit a scan instead of the original document?
For sworn translations three types of documents are accepted: original documents, certified true copies, or simple scan copies. It is the client's responsibility to verify the specific requirements of the receiving authority and share them with the translator in advance.