When preparing US documents for legal recognition in Italy (such as for dual citizenship, marriage registration, or property purchase), understanding the requirements for Apostilles and Notarizations on your translations can be confusing.
This guide explains the official requirements for the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles versus submitting documents directly to a Comune in Italy, and how to navigate the process.
1. Submitting to the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles
If you are submitting your application or registering civil records (birth, marriage, divorce) through the Italian Consulate General in Los Angeles, the process is straightforward:
- Original US Documents: Your original US civil registry certificates (e.g., issued by California, Nevada, Arizona, etc.) MUST have an Apostille from the Secretary of State where the document was issued.
- The Translation: The Italian Consulate in Los Angeles accepts our digital certified translations directly. You only need to print the high-quality PDF translation that we provide.
- No Apostille on Translation: The consulate does not require the translation itself to be notarized or apostilled. Only the original US document needs the Apostille.
- No Translation of the Apostille: The English Apostille itself does not need to be translated. You only need to translate the certificate (birth, marriage, etc.).
For consulate submissions, you can simply print the digital certified PDF we deliver to your secure folder and present it with your apostilled original document.
2. Submitting Directly to a Comune in Italy
If you are bypassing the consulate and submitting your documents directly to a town hall (Comune) in Italy (for example, if you are applying for citizenship while residing in Italy, or purchasing property), the rules are much stricter:
- Comune Requirements: Italian Comuni are governed by local administrative practices and almost always require either a sworn translation (traduzione giurata or asseverata performed in an Italian court) or a US certified translation that has been notarized and apostilled in the US.
- Notary & Apostille on Translation: In this case, the Comune will not accept a standard digital certified translation. The translator’s signature on the Certificate of Accuracy must be notarized by a US Notary Public, and that notarized document must receive a second Apostille (legalizing the notary’s signature) from the Secretary of State.
3. Handling Out-of-State & Federal Documents
Documents from Other States (e.g., Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico)
If your original document was issued in another state (for example, a marriage certificate from Clark County/Las Vegas in Nevada or a birth certificate from Phoenix, Arizona):
- Original Document Apostille: The original document must receive its Apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state (e.g., Nevada Secretary of State for Las Vegas certificates).
- Translation Apostille (If Required): Because the Italian School of San Diego LLC is a California-based organization and the translation certificate is signed here, any notarization of our translation must be performed by a California Notary Public, and the corresponding translation Apostille must be obtained from the California Secretary of State.
Federal Documents (e.g., FBI Criminal Background Checks)
If you are submitting a federal document, such as an FBI background check for an Elective Residency Visa or Citizenship:
- Original Document Apostille: The original FBI background check must receive a federal Apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Translation: We can translate the FBI background check into Italian. Just like state documents, the translation does not require a separate D.C. Apostille for consulate submissions; the printed PDF of our certified translation is accepted.
4. Our Translation Policy
The Italian School of San Diego LLC is an educational institution. To keep our services secure, fast, and accessible, we operate under the following guidelines:
- Digital Delivery Only: All our certified translations are delivered digitally as secure, high-resolution certified PDFs. We do not offer physical printing or mailing services.
- Certificate of Accuracy: We provide a formal Certificate of Accurate Translation signed by our school director, Maura D’Andrea.
- No In-House Notarization: We do not offer in-house notary services.
5. How to Get a Translation Apostilled (If Required by a Comune)
If your Comune or legal counsel in Italy insists on having the translation itself apostilled, you can easily complete the process yourself using our certified PDF:
- Print the Translation: Print the complete certified translation PDF, including the Certificate of Accurate Translation signed by our director.
- Notarize the Signature: Take the printed document to a local Notary Public in San Diego. The notary will notarize your signature or verify the document as a true copy, or you can request our director to sign in front of a notary (subject to prior coordination and staff availability). Note: Most Comuni will accept a notarized affidavit from the applicant or a certified copy notarization done locally.
- Submit for California Apostille: Send or take the notarized translation to the California Secretary of State office (in person in San Diego/Los Angeles or by mail to Sacramento) to receive the California Apostille legalizing the notary’s seal.
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