When you need to use foreign documents in Italy, you need to follow a proper procedure of authentication and legalization. This is possible through the Apostille or Legalization, depending on if your Country is part of the Hague Conference of 1961. Read further down to better understand what these two procedures are.
Apostille
The Apostille is a certificate done by the competent authority in each of the Countries part of the Convention of Hague, on October 5, 1961. Drafted by the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the Apostille abolished the legalization requirement for foreign public documents.
This certificate authenticates the seal and signature of the country’s authority. In this way issues a document that is legally valid also other Countries.
Check here to read if your Country is part of the Hague Conference.
Legalization
The Legalization certifies the Documents from Countries not part of the 1961 Hague Conference. These documents need to follow a longer procedure than the Countries of The Hague Conference. Anyway, they are still authenticated by the diplomatic or consular authority of the target Country.
The legalization certifies that the authority issuing a document has legal quality and that its signature and/or stamp are verified. However, some bilateral or multilateral conventions may be exempt from any international authentication process.
We assist Clients with all these international procedures for any legal document or act (certificates, wills, notarial acts, court orders, etc.) from abroad in Italy and vice versa.