Sworn
translation

Sworn translation and certified translation are official translations that may concern documents of any kind, for personal, professional, or business use.
Here is a partial list of documents I can swear or certify for you in English-Italian, Italian-English, French-Italian, and Italian-French combinations:

• Criminal certificates:
– Criminal record certificates
– Certificate of pending proceedings
• Civil registry certificates:
– Birth certificates
– Certificates of marriage
– Unmarried status certificates
– Family status certificates
– Residence certificates
– Death certificates
• Decrees of divorce
• Driving licences and other documents for motor vehicles
• Documents for citizenship
• Educational qualifications:
– Diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees
– Course certificates
– School report cards, transcripts of academic record
• Social security documents
• Accounting documents
• Notary documents:
– Power of attorney: special power of attorney and general power of attorney
– Acts of succession: last will and testament
• Chamber of Commerce registration records

Some translations differ from standard translations by being given official international status, as required in some bureaucratic procedures.

Each country has its own system to make a translation official. In Italy, the translator must go to the courthouse or a notary to obtain a sworn translation. Because courts cost less than notaries, they are chosen more often. In other countries, sworn translation can only be done by translators who have passed a specific exam and affix their stamp on the translation to make it sworn. This discrepancy between the different systems can lead to misunderstandings.

In Italy, the translator brings the original document and the translation to the courthouse. The translator signs a sworn statement before the court official who affixes stamps, signatures, and duty stamps. The official will staple the original document, the translation and the sworn statement to create a single, inseparable “bundle.”

This bundle is the sworn translation or certified translation. The translator thereby assumes responsibility for the translation before the public official.

If this bundle is for use in Italy, nothing else is needed. If, however, the sworn translation is to be used outside Italy, a second step, called apostille or legalization or legalized translation, may be needed. To complete this step, the translator deposits the bundle in the Public Prosecutor’s Office, naming the specific country for which the sworn translation is intended. After a few days, the translator picks up the completed document. This step certifies the authenticity of the signature of the official of the court, but it is not always required. The final recipient abroad should be asked if it is indeed necessary. In many cases, this need not be done, saving time and money.

If you have been asked to engage a sworn translator or court translator (in Italian, traduttore giurato, traduttore ufficiale or traduttore del tribunale, and in French, traducteur assermenté, traducteur certifié, traducteur officiel or traducteur juré), it means you need a sworn translation.

In some countries outside of Italy, sworn translators are translators who have passed an exam and affix a stamp to render a simple translation a sworn translation. In Italy, the only comparable figure for official purposes is that of the translator registered in the “CTU” Register of the Court or in the Expert Register of the Court, often simply called a “sworn translator.” When a court needs a translator, it turns to the professional figures registered in its professional registers, choosing a “CTU” (court-certified professional) for civil matters or a court-certified expert for criminal matters.

In several courts, including Milan, only translators registered in the registers can provide sworn translations. In other courts, anyone can swear a translation. If you want to be extra sure, choose a court-certified translator. You will be sure that you are working with a professional.

I am a sworn translator at the Court of Busto Arsizio, registered in the CTU Register for English, Italian and French. You can verify this directly on the Court’s website. Don’t forget that you can always write to me or call me for free consulting about your requirements.

The timeline depends on the Court of Busto Arsizio. Its certification and apostille/legalization services are active only on a few days and times of the week. It may also vary over time due to factors like holidays or the absence of court officers.

For sworn translation, the Court requires the application of one or more duty stamps of €16.00, depending on the length of the translation. This is why, to receive a precise quote, the best solution is always to send me the documents to look at. I will treat them with the utmost confidentiality.

Contact me with no obligation. I will check the upcoming schedule at the Court of Busto Arsizio and calculate the exact costs for a quote with no surprises.

Yes. To certify a translation, the paper document being translated must be brought to the court, which will then be stapled to the translation and the sworn statement. This makes it important to clarify which paper version will be used:

• the original of the document (such as the criminal record certificate and the certificate of pending charges);
• a certified copy of the document, issued upon request of the issuer of the original;
• a simple photocopy or printout of the document.

The choice always depends on what the recipient of the sworn translation requires. For example, for a degree, we would use a certified copy issued by the university or a simple photocopy, depending on the instructions received.

If you are in the vicinity of Busto Arsizio, such as in Gallarate or Legnano, we can arrange a meeting place for a hand pickup or a delivery. If the distance is a problem, we can use a courier.