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Certified document translation

Official certified document translation for UK use

Certified document translation of Italian birth certificates and official documents for UK passport applications and other UK authority requirements. Translate a birth certificate, divorce decree, power of attorney, and more. Accepted by the UK Passport Office.

Certified translator

Certified Document Translation

Certified document translation for UK use

Need to translate a birth certificate, divorce decree, power of attorney, or other Italian document for use in the UK? I provide certified translations of Italian official documents accepted by the UK Passport Office, Home Office, DVLA, UK ENIC, and other UK authorities. UK passport applications are a common use-case: if your documents are not in English or Welsh, the Home Office requires a certified translation.

What is a Certified Translation?

What is a certified translation?

An accurate translation of the original document

A signed statement confirming the translation's accuracy

The translator's name, contact details, and qualifications

The date of translation

Documents I Translate

Documents I translate

Birth certificates (certificato di nascita)

Marriage certificates (certificato di matrimonio)

Death certificates (certificato di morte)

Divorce decrees

Name change documents

Other official Italian documents

The Process

The process

Send your document

Email a clear scan or photo

Receive a quote

I'll confirm the cost and turnaround time

Translation completed

You receive the certified translation by email or post

Submit with your application

Include both the original and translation

Turnaround

Turnaround

Standard turnaround is 2-3 working days. Urgent requests can often be accommodated. Please ask.

Credentials

Credentials

I am listed on the UK government's official directory of translators and interpreters maintained by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). My certified translations are accepted by the UK Passport Office and Home Office.

Common questions

How much do certified translations cost? +
Certified translations start from €40 per page. See Pricing for more details.
How do I get started? +
For a quote or questions about your document, please contact me with details of what you need translated.
How do I get an Italian birth certificate translated into English? +
You need a UK certified translation: an accurate translation accompanied by a signed statement confirming its accuracy, the translator's name and contact details, and the date. This is what the UK Passport Office, the Home Office, and most other UK authorities require. No apostille is needed on the Italian original for HMPO applications.
Do I need to translate my Italian driving licence for the UK? +
In the normal case you do not need a certified English translation to use or exchange an Italian (EU-format) driving licence with the DVLA. The standard EU photocard is familiar to them. A translation may be needed in unusual cases, for example a very old paper licence. Check the DVLA exchange tool at gov.uk if unsure.
How do I translate an Italian divorce decree (sentenza di divorzio)? +
To give notice of marriage at a UK register office with an Italian divorce, you need the final divorce judgment (sentenza passata in giudicato, the equivalent of a decree absolute) plus an English translation by someone who is not a party to the marriage. A professional certified translation is safest and always accepted. No apostille is needed on the Italian decree for UK use. For UK court proceedings the requirements are stricter (typically a statement of truth or a notary-certified translation). A foreign divorce may be referred to the General Register Office, which can take a few weeks, so allow time.
How do I translate an Italian criminal record (casellario giudiziale)? +
An Italian casellario giudiziale used in the UK normally needs a UK certified translation: a signed statement of accuracy, date, translator name and contact. UKVI and most employers do not require an apostille on the original; some employers or courts may ask for one as their own policy. If an apostille is needed, it is issued in Italy by the Procura della Repubblica. Always check what the body asking for the document requires.
How do I translate an Italian power of attorney (procura)? +
An Italian procura used in the UK normally needs a UK certified translation. For property transactions, HM Land Registry (Practice Guide 9) also asks for a certified copy of the power and an unqualified legal opinion from an Italian-qualified lawyer, so a translation alone is often not enough. The UK does not generally require an apostille on the Italian original, though some solicitors or banks may ask.
How do I get my Italian degree (laurea) recognised in the UK? +
To have an Italian degree recognised in the UK you apply to UK ENIC (enic.org.uk) for a Statement of Comparability. UK ENIC needs certified English translations of your Italian documents: you cannot self-translate. Alternatively, you can use its Translation Waiver Service, which covers Italian. For a regulated profession you also apply to the relevant UK regulator, which has its own requirements.

Know Your Terms

Sworn vs certified translation: what's the difference?

The terms sworn translation and certified translation mean different things depending on the country, and using the wrong type can mean your document is rejected.

In Italy, a traduzione asseverata (sworn translation) is given legal force when the translator swears an oath (giuramento) before a court official. It is required for documents used by Italian public authorities, courts, and notaries.

In the UK, there is no sworn-translator system. A certified translation is a professional's signed statement confirming accuracy, date, and their contact details. This is what HM Passport Office, the Home Office, and UK ENIC require. An Italian asseverazione is far more than a UK authority needs.

The receiving country dictates the type. For an Italian birth or marriage certificate submitted to a UK authority, a UK-style certified translation is the right format.

Apostilles

Do you need an apostille?

An apostille authenticates an official signature so a document is recognised across borders. For most UK passport or Home Office applications, an apostille on the Italian original is not required; a certified translation of the original document is sufficient. However, if you are submitting UK documents to Italian authorities (for example for citizenship or notarial acts), the UK document will typically need an FCDO apostille before it can be translated and sworn in Italy. If you are unsure whether your situation requires an apostille, ask me.

Go Deeper

Guides: Certified & Sworn Translation

These guides explain the full process in detail.

Certified & Sworn Translation of Italian Documents

Certified vs sworn (asseverata): what the UK and Italy each require, and how to get one.

Learn more →

Italian Documents for a UK Passport

How to get Italian birth and marriage certificates translated for a British passport or citizenship by descent.

Learn more →

Testimonials

What clients say

"Stefania was outstanding with her swift service translating my estratto dell'atto following my marriage in Italy. I required my marriage certificate to be translated to English for a UK passport change of name. Within 2 hours I had a response with the service she could provide and within 48 hours I had the necessary translation document in my emails. Thank you Stefania!"

C
Cheryl
United Kingdom

"Stefania did a fantastic job for a very complex certificate that was handwritten in Italian. She was very professional and made it a priority given the time sensitivity of the translation. I highly recommend her also given her expertise in the British government requirements, which are very strict. Will definitely get back to her for other jobs."

CS
Camilla S.
Switzerland

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