If you are applying for Italian citizenship through Jure Sanguinis or pursuing a long-term visa, you have probably already realized something: Italy takes paperwork very seriously.

The apostille itself is usually the straightforward part. Since Hague Convention applies to both the United States and Italy, your U.S. birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other vital records can be apostilled through the Secretary of State just like any other international document.

Where things get complicated is the translation.

Italy does not treat translations the same way Spain or many other countries do. The rules are stricter, and the format matters. If you do not choose the right path from the beginning, you can lose weeks, sometimes months.

Let me walk you through the two main options, so you can decide what works best for your situation.

Option 1, The Italian Official Translator Route

The Traditional, More Complex Path

Italian authorities often prefer translations completed by an official translator registered in Italy.

Here is how it works:

• The translator must receive the physical, apostilled original document.
• The translator then appears before an Italian court or notary to formally swear to the accuracy of the translation.
• The sworn translation is issued in hard copy format only.

What does this mean for you?

It usually involves international shipping, longer timelines, and higher fees. Documents must physically travel to Italy, and you are dependent on court or notary schedules there. For clients living in the U.S., this can quickly become expensive and stressful.

This is often considered the “gold standard,” but it is not always the most practical solution if you are stateside.

Option 2, The Apostilled Translation Route

Faster, Local, and Much More Efficient

For most of my U.S.-based clients, this is the route I recommend.

Instead of sending everything overseas, we keep the process here.

Here is how it works:

• You obtain the apostille on your original document.
• My team provides a certified translation of the entire document, including the apostille text.
• The certified translation itself is then apostilled by the Secretary of State.

The final result is what many call a “double apostille” package:

• One apostille attached to the original document.
• A second apostille attached to the certified translation.

Under the Hague Convention, Italy is required to recognize properly apostilled documents from other member countries. In practice, this route is typically faster, more manageable, and keeps the process within your control.

From a cost perspective, it is often similar to the Italian translator route. From a time and logistics perspective, it is usually far smoother.

A Very Important Tip for Italian Cases

Even when the law is clear, local offices in Italy sometimes have their own preferences.

Before finalizing your strategy, I always advise clients to confirm with their specific Comune (town hall) in Italy or the Italian consulate handling their file. A quick question such as: “Do you prefer an Italian court-sworn translation or an apostilled U.S. translation?” can save you significant delays.

Taking this extra step can prevent frustrating back-and-forth later.

How I Help

When you are dealing with Italian citizenship or visa documentation, the process can feel overwhelming. There are often multiple generations of records, name variations, and tight deadlines.

I coordinate:

• Certified translations prepared for official international use
• Proper formatting that meets Italian standards
• Apostille processing for both original documents and translations
• Clear guidance on how to bundle everything correctly

My goal is to make this process straightforward for you, not confusing.

If you are preparing documents for Italy and are unsure which path to take, reach out. I am happy to review your situation and help you choose the option that makes the most sense for your timeline and budget.

Call (805)243-8125

Email info@venturasignings.com