How do you apostille and prepare documents for Italy in 2026?

If the issuing country is party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, obtain the Apostille from that country’s competent authority before you rely on the paper in Italy. Non-Hague origins generally need consular legalisation paths that the issuing state and Italian receiving office describe for that document type.

Birth and marriage certificates for family permesso or citizenship files, degree certificates for work or study routes, and civil-status papers for some residenza cases fail most often. Confirm each desk’s list; Milan and Rome Questure can differ in booking portals even when national rules match.

Apostille or legalise the original public document in the issuing country, then obtain a sworn (asseverata) Italian translation if required. Do not translate first and apostille the translation unless that country’s authority explicitly allows it. Keep passport name spellings identical across visa, permesso and lease: Paperwork after moving.

Licence conversion and some Motorizzazione files also ask for authenticated papers: Convert a driving licence. Language exams and civic integration sit on a different track: Italian language requirements.