Why documents are translated
Italian consulates and universities evaluate your record in Italian. Translation lets the reviewing officer read your degree, courses, and grades exactly as issued — and lets your Italian institution compare them with Italian qualifications.
What may need to be translated?
Diploma
The full text of the degree certificate.
Transcript
Every page, including course names and credit totals.
Registrar certification
The school official's statement.
Notarization pages
The notarial certificate on the statement.
Apostille
Verify for your consulate — often not required.
Grading scale
The key explaining grades and credits.
Supporting records
Syllabi, program descriptions, or letters if requested.
Other attachments
Anything else the consulate requires in the file.
Does the apostille need to be translated?
Apostilles follow a standardized, multilingual format under the Hague Convention, and in our experience many Italian consulates do not require them to be translated. Requirements should still be verified for the applicable consular jurisdiction before you finalize the translation set.
Certified vs sworn translation
Certified translation
In the U.S., a translation accompanied by the translator's signed statement of accuracy and competence. Some consulates accept certified translations; some also want the certification notarized.
Sworn translation (traduzione giurata)
In Italy, a translation sworn before an Italian court or official. Some consulates instead offer their own certification of conformity for translations. The terms are not interchangeable.
Because “certified,” “sworn,” and consulate-approved procedures mean different things in different places, the right choice depends on the consulate handling your file.
When should translation occur?
- 1Document preparation
- 2Notarization
- 3Apostille
- 4Translation of completed set
- 5Consular submission
Translating before authentication is complete can leave the notarial certificate or registrar statement untranslated — creating missing pages and a second round of translation work.
Once the required translations are complete, the documents can proceed to the applicable consular submission process.
What does a complete translation set look like?
Common translation mistakes
Missing apostille translation
Where the consulate requires it, the apostille must be included.
Missing certification page
The registrar statement is part of the document.
Incomplete transcript
Every page should be translated, not only a summary.
Missing grading scale
Without it, grades cannot be interpreted.
Translating too early
Pages added during authentication go untranslated.
Wrong procedure for the consulate
Certified, sworn, and consular-certified are not interchangeable.
Frequently asked questions
Does my diploma need to be translated into Italian?
Yes, for a Declaration of Value the diploma is generally translated into Italian.
Does my transcript need an Italian translation?
Typically yes — the full transcript, including the grading key.
Does the apostille need translation?
Often not, because apostilles use a standardized format, but verify with the consulate handling your file.
Who can translate documents for an Italian consulate?
It depends on the consulate. Some accept certified professional translators; others require a specific procedure or certification.
What is a sworn Italian translation?
A translation sworn before an Italian court or authorized official (traduzione giurata).
What is a certified Italian translation?
A translation accompanied by the translator's signed statement attesting accuracy, sometimes notarized.
Should I apostille before translating?
Usually yes, so the complete authenticated set is translated at once.
Does every Italian consulate have the same translation rules?
No. Rules vary by jurisdiction.
Can translations be completed electronically?
Translations can be prepared electronically, but the consulate may require signed hard copies bound with the source documents.
Do I need to translate my grading scale?
Yes, the grading scale is generally translated so grades can be evaluated.
Need your documents translated into Italian?
We prepare, authenticate, coordinate translation for, and submit Declaration of Value files for Italian consulates across the United States.
Request Italian Translation Assistance