Apostille: Complete Guide

Introduction

The Apostille is an international certification that allows your foreign documents to be legally recognized in Italy.
Thanks to the 1961 Hague Convention, this system simplifies international recognition of public documents, avoiding long bureaucratic processes and ensuring that your papers are valid abroad.

If you are a foreign citizen and need to use your documents in Italy — for work, study, marriage, family reunification, or citizenship — the Apostille is the key step that guarantees authenticity and legal validity.

Who can apply

You may request an Apostille for documents to be used in Italy if you are:

A citizen of a Hague Convention country
A person transferring residency to Italy
An international student enrolling in Italian schools or universities
A foreign worker needing contracts or diploma recognition
A mixed couple applying for marriage or civil union
A family applying for family reunification or citizenship procedures

📌 Apostille can be applied only to public documents issued by Hague Convention member countries.

Required documents

To obtain an Apostille on your documents you will need:

Original document issued in your home country (birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, criminal record, etc.)
Copy of applicant’s ID
Apostille application form (provided by the competent authority in your country)
Proof of payment of government fees
Written authorization if submitted by a representative
Sworn translation into Italian (required after Apostille, for use in Italy)

⚠️ Important: Apostille must always be obtained before the sworn translation.

Processing times

Timelines depend on the issuing country:

5–15 business days in countries with digitalized systems
15–30 business days for standard requests in most countries
2–5 business days for urgent services (where available, at extra cost)
Longer during holidays or peak demand

👉 Always check with the competent authority in your home country for exact timelines.

How to apply

The Apostille request must be submitted in the country that issued the original document.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: government papers, consular certificates, diplomatic acts
Ministry of Justice: criminal records, court judgments, decrees, notarial deeds
Ministry of Education: school diplomas, university certificates, professional attestations
Civil Registry Offices: birth, marriage, death certificates, civil status acts

Applications can usually be submitted:

In person
Online (where available)
Through an authorized representative

Final stage

After obtaining the Apostille:

✅ Verify the Apostille stamp or certificate is complete and readable
✅ Have the document translated into Italian by a sworn translator
✅ Use it in Italy for official purposes (work, study, marriage, citizenship, family reunification)
✅ Apostille has no expiry and remains permanently valid

Translation “vistatura” (additional procedure)

What is vistatura?

Some Italian consulates (especially in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Eastern Europe) require an additional procedure called vistatura of the translation after Apostille.

When is it needed?

If the Italian consulate expressly requests it
If apostilled documents must be translated for use in Italy
To validate the translator’s signature and qualification

How does it work?

Obtain Apostille on the original document
Translate it with a translator accredited by the Italian consulate
Submit the translation to the Italian consulate for vistatura
The consulate stamps the translation, certifying its validity

⏰ Time: 3–10 business days
💶 Cost: additional consular fees
📑 Documents: translation + apostilled document + applicant’s ID

👉 Note: Vistatura does not replace Apostille, but complements it for full validity in Italy.

Conclusion

The Apostille is the simplest and most effective way to make your foreign documents valid in Italy. With Future Italian, every step — Apostille request, sworn translation, and possible vistatura at the consulate — is managed with expertise, so you can focus on your new life in Italy without bureaucratic obstacles.