Skip to content In the context of globalization and the free movement of people and goods, the need to grant legal validity to documents drawn up in a foreign language has become a daily practice.
A sworn translation, technically defined in Italian asseverazione, is the legal instrument that allows a document drafted in a foreign language to produce the same legal effects as an original document within the target legal system.
Sworn translations
What are sworn translations?
In Italy, the concept of sworn translations is defined by Presidential Decree 445/2000 (D.P.R. 445/2000). That is the consolidated text of legislative and regulatory provisions on administrative documentation.
Specifically, article 33, paragraph 3 of the Decree states that:
To acts and documents […] drafted in a foreign language, there must be attached a translation into Italian, certified as conformed to the foreign text by the competent diplomatic or consular representation, or by an official translator.
Who can perform sworn translations?
Unlike other countries, Italy does not include the role of a sworn translator to a closed national professional association. However, various law provisions govern the process and define responsibility and execution methods.
In fact, the sworn certification (asseverazione) does not only concern the linguistic quality of the translation. It is a public act finalized before a public official.
How much does a sworn translation cost?
The cost of a sworn translation depends on many factors. These include the language combination, the number of pages, the complexity of the text and the service urgency.
Furthermore, it requires the payment of a stamp duty as it is, for all intents and purposes, an official act. The document contains the oath to have well and faithfully performed the translation for the purpose of establishing the truth. It also contains the certification of conformity of the translated text to the original language.
The stamp duty cost is usually €16 for every 4 pages, or every 100 lines of text. The oath report also counts toward the total page count.
Translations related to specific matters such as adoptions, scholarships or social security cases are exempt from stamp duty. In this case, the report will indicate the relevant legal references.
Certified translation
What is the difference between a certified translation and a sworn translation?
People often confuse sworn translations and certified translations. These are two different acts and confusing them can lead to misunderstandings as well as bureaucratic and administrative delays.
In fact, a sworn translation has legal value thanks to the oath taken before a public official. A certified translation, on the other hand, does not hold legal value in Italy for public entities.
What is meant by a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translated document with a formal statement of correspondence signed and stamped by the professional translator.
Despite not having legal validity within Italy, certified translations are frequently accepted by foreign institutions, universities, companies and offices, particularly in English-speaking countries.
How much does a certified translation cost?
Since it does not require appearance at court, a certified translation can be completed more quickly and at lower cost. It does not require stamp duties.
However, it is always advisable to request a personalized quote to obtain an accurate price based on the specific document.
How can I obtain a certified translation?
To obtain a certified translation, you must contact a professional translator who can attest to the accuracy of the text.
The translator typically prepares a certificate of accuracy signed and stamped, guaranteeing the correspondence between the original document and the translation. The document, with the attached certificate, is sent in digital or hard copy format.
Sworn certification procedure
A sworn translation must be certified by the clerk’s office of the Court or in front of a notary public.
The sworn translation file must follow a mandatory order, otherwise authorities will consider the act invalid. The order is as follows:
- Original document or true copy: this is the source text
- Translation: this is the text in the target language, which must be a faithful and complete rendering. No omissions or subjective interpretations are possible
- Oath report: this is a form provided by the public official.
By signing the oath report, the translator declares to have well and faithfully carried out the tasks entrusted to them for the sole purpose of establishing the truth, in accordance with the provisions of article 5 of Royal Decree 1366/1922 (Regio Decreto 1366/1922).
The complete file is stapled and stamped to ensure its integrity.
Certified translator
Although Italian law allows anyone to perform sworn translations, the practice across various Italian courts has become more restrictive. This is to ensure the quality of legal acts.
To date, the preferred requirements for a translator providing sworn translations are:
- Enrolment in the Register of Court-Appointed Experts (CTU – Consulenti Tecnici d’Ufficio) of the Court
- Enrolment in the Role of Experts and Specialists of the Chamber of Commerce
- Membership in professional trade associations such as the Italian Association of Translators and Interpreters (AITI) or the National Italian Association of Translators and Interpreters (ANITI)
How much does a sworn translator earn?
The cost of translations and, consequently, the translator’s compensation, varies based on multiple factors. The factors include the type of request and the nature of the text.
Furthermore, a translator taking an oath assumes criminal liability. This according to article 483 of the Italian Criminal Code, which punishes ideological falsehood committed by a private individual in a public act, making a false statement in a sworn declaration report carries severe penalties.
Finally, in cases of enrollment as a CTU the translator is also liable under articles 366 and 373 of the Criminal Code.
Fields of application
Sworn translations are essential in various sectors. For instance, in education, corporate, medicine and more generally for daily life, especially in the case of international relocation.
Sworn translation of a driver’s license
A practical example of using sworn translations in daily life is when driving in Italy with a foreign driver’s license.
In fact, in the case of a license issued by a non-EU country, Italian law stipulates that the driver must obtain either an international driving permit or a sworn translation of their foreign license.
Translation of certificates
Furthermore, in the event of moving from abroad to Italy, it is usually necessary to proceed with a sworn translation of one’s civil status documents.
For example, a sworn translation of a marriage or birth certificate may be necessary to complete the immigration procedures.
Translations are also necessary for the process of obtaining Italian citizenship.
Sworn translation of criminal records
Also, during citizenship applications, authorities normally require one’s foreign criminal record certificate.
Similarly, foreign authorities may request this certificate as part of an international relocation. In this case, before proceeding with its sworn translation, it is necessary to carefully evaluate which certificate to request, as Italy offers different types of criminal records certificates.
Sworn translation of degree certificates
Finally, an equally important field where sworn translations may be necessary is the process of academic qualification recognition.
In conclusion, sworn certification is a process that combines linguistic expertise with formal rigor. The correct execution of the procedure, in compliance with D.P.R. 445/2000 and local court practices, ensures the secure circulation of documents and the protection of citizens’ rights in an international context.
Documents legalization
In addition to the translation of foreign documents, it may also be necessary to proceed with their legalization as a preliminary step.
The documents requiring legalization are Italian acts that need to become legally valid abroad and vice versa.
Legalization can be requested by Italian or foreign citizens who need to validate a document in Italy for use abroad, or from abroad for use in Italy. To learn more, check our dedicated article.