Sworn translations, also called certified or official translations, are made in order to give legal effect to documents that must be used in a foreign country while retaining the same official value as in the country of origin. Conversely, a sworn translation is required for all documents to be filed abroad. In many cases, and for many countries, legalisation or an Apostille from the Public Prosecutor's Office is also required in addition to the oath. The translation, produced by an official translator accredited with the court's register of experts, is made official by an oath taken before the Court, the Justice of the Peace or a notary. The oath consists of a written statement made by the translator before the Court, containing the formula: "I swear that I have well and faithfully performed the task entrusted to me, with the sole purpose of making the truth known."
A sworn translation is therefore indispensable whenever an official document must be produced to a national or foreign authority. The field of application is very wide. Sworn translations are required, for example, for academic qualifications obtained abroad to be recognised in Italy or vice versa; for applications for citizenship; for marriages between foreign nationals; for the registration of birth, divorce or death certificates. Notarial deeds for the opening of a foreign will always require a sworn translation before a notary, as do the procedures for the adoption of a foreign child.
The same applies in the professional sphere: sworn translations are required in corporate matters to confirm the validity of registrations in the companies register, or of current quality certifications, for example when opening a branch abroad, opening a bank account with a foreign institution or registering a patent or trademark.
Examples of documents requiring a sworn translation
- Civil-status documents: identity documents; birth, marriage, family-status, single-status, residence and death certificates; criminal records, pending charges and driving licences.
- Documents for applications for Italian citizenship, family reunification, domestic or professional employment; medical certificates for insurance reimbursements, hospital reports, tax documents, tax returns and bank reference letters.
- Recognition and equivalence of foreign academic qualifications in Italy and enrolment at foreign universities: transcripts and diplomas from primary and secondary schools, professional academies, universities, master's and doctoral programmes, together with professional training certificates, CVs, reference letters and employment records.
- Driving licences and vehicle registration documents, animal health records, certificates of conformity and origin for machinery and agri-food products, pharmaceutical certificates, registered patents and trademarks.
- Legal acts with legal effect, notifications to be served abroad, affidavits and notarial deeds such as powers of attorney and signature authentications; appeals and court applications; articles of association, companies-register entries, Chamber of Commerce certificates, company certificates and financial statements.
In all these cases, and many others, the sworn translation is essential to the success of the procedure before the foreign authority, or in Italy for foreign nationals.