For use in Italy, documents and certificates issued by U.S. authorities must, where required, bear an Apostille and be translated into Italian.
The Consulate General of Italy in Chicago does not provide translation services, but it can certify the conformity of English-to-Italian translations with the original documents.
APOSTILLE
An Apostille is the certification established by the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, which allows a public document issued in one country that is party to the Convention to be recognized in other countries that are also parties to the Convention, including Italy and the United States.
For U.S. documents, the Apostille must be issued by the competent authority of the same State in which the document was issued.
For example, a certificate issued in the State of Illinois must bear an Apostille issued by the competent authority of the State of Illinois.
For information on the authorities competent to issue Apostilles in different countries, please refer to the website of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
TRANSLATION
Documents intended for use in Italy must be accompanied by a complete, accurate and typed translation into Italian.
The translation must include all elements appearing on the original document, including text, stamps, headings, annotations and certifications.
The Apostille does not need to be translated.
The Consulate General does not provide translation services. The translation may be prepared by the applicant or by any other person who is able to accurately translate the document into Italian.
Applicants who prefer to use a professional translator may consult the List of Translators: List of Translators
CERTIFICATION OF CONFORMITY OF THE TRANSLATION
To obtain certification of conformity of the translation, the following must be submitted:
- the original document or certified copy, duly bearing an Apostille;
- a complete translation into Italian;
- a Money Order payable to Consulate General of Italy in Chicago, in the amount required under the current Consular Fee Schedule;
- a prepaid, self-addressed envelope for the return of the documents.
Certification of conformity is subject to the fee established under Article 72A of the Consular Fee Schedule, which is charged for each translated page/side.
Consular fees are updated periodically. Before preparing the payment, applicants are therefore advised to consult the current Consular Fee Schedule published on the Consulate’s Home Page.
Payment must be made exclusively in U.S. Dollars by Money Order payable to: Consulate General of Italy in Chicago
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS
All documentation must be submitted exclusively by mail to the following address:
Consulate General of Italy – Chicago
Legalization Office
150 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60601
Document drop-off and pick-up services are not available at the Consulate.
A prepaid, self-addressed envelope must be included for the return of the documents.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to use a mailing service with a Tracking Number for both the initial mailing and the return envelope, so that they can independently monitor the status of their shipment.
The Consulate is not responsible for any loss or delays attributable to the mailing or courier service used.
If the documentation is incomplete or does not meet the applicable requirements, the Office will contact the applicant at the email address provided.