Italian Dual Citizenship: How to Certify Translations at a Consulate

The process of applying for Italian dual citizenship is a multi-step process. If you are applying for Italian dual citizenship in Italy (and not at your regional consulate), you have the option of certifying your translations before you arrive in the country.

There are many benefits to certifying translations before you arrive in Italy. Chiefly, it will save you multiple trips to local government offices to have them certified, as well as prevent any difficulties associated with language barriers. Certifying translations at a consulate is a particularly attractive option if the consulate is only a short drive or train ride away.

At most consulates you do not need an appointment to have your translations certified, but you should call your consulate to confirm this. Additionally, confirm the days and times of the week that they accept walk-in visitors for these services. There is no need to mention that your translations are for Italian dual citizenship. Certification is just one of the many services offered by consulates.

Prior to arriving at the consulate, however, you should be sure that you have completed the following previous steps:

• Requested and received all records
• Translation of all records
• All state and federal records apostilled

You should present your documents paperclipped with the Italian translation on top, followed by the apostille paperwork and then the actual record. As a side note, most states will staple the apostille paperwork to the record. Do not unstaple these documents.

The worker at the consulate will advise you whether to wait for the certifications or come back later in the day. Certifications cost around $10 per record and most consulates accept only cash, so come prepared to pay in this manner.

As a final note, remember that if you schedule an appointment and apply for Italian dual citizenship at the consulate, it is not necessary to certify your translations ahead of time.

Italian Dual Citizenship: Certifying Translations

After reading a lot of first hand accounts of the translation certification process, I still could not decide whether or not to certify them here (at the Philly consulate) or wait to do it in Italy. But, with only a month left until the move I had to make a decision.

So, last week my dad and I headed down to the consulate to get the stamp of approval on 18 vital record translations and affadavits. Given what I had heard, I assumed some of them would be rejected for various (and ridiculous) reasons.

When we arrived at the consulate it was packed. Most people in the room were students applying for study abroad visas. We were among a small group of folks waiting for other services. We stood in line for a half hour to submit our paperwork and then another 1.5 hours while we waited for the certifications.

My dad and I were literally the last people in the consulate when they closed at 1 p.m. But, low and behold, the woman behind the counter walked out with 18 approved translations. I didn't even mind the $183 certification cost (about $10 per document). It was a huge relief that they were all accepted and I have WordSpark to thank for it. I highly recommend them. Every penny I've paid them for translations has been money very well spent.

For those that are wondering, the other option was to get the translations approved once we were in Italy. It actually sounded like the easier option, but at the end of the day I was really concerned about not being fluent in Italian and trying to explain what I needed. It was the right choice because, despite the wait, the certification process at the Italian Consulate was pretty darn easy!

Lessons Learned

1. Once again, I learned that every person's Italian dual citizenship experience is different. Some folks have had really bad experiences with the Philly Consulate. I, however, did not.
2. You get what you pay for. WorkSpark was a mid-range translation service and I'm happy I decided not to go with the cheapest option. Their work is dynamite.

Moving to Italy: Codice Fiscale

All Italians (and just about everyone spending an extended period of time in Italy) have what is called a codice fiscale. It's an alphanumeric code that serves as a legal identifier for each person. Some people compare it to a social security number, but it has far more uses than an SSN and isn't as private.

In Italy, you need a codice fiscale to rent an apartment, buy a cell phone, enroll in the health care system, open a bank account, enroll in a class, make select purchases online, etc. The list goes on. You need it for everything and, in particular, anything that requires a contract of any sort. Unlike a SSN, you don't need to be a citizen of Italy to apply for a codice fiscale...anyone can get one.

As a foreigner, there are two ways apply for your codice fiscale. The first is to apply once you arrive in Italy. You go to the local Agenzia delle Entrate and apply in person. But, if you're like us and trying to complete the rental process before you arrive, you absolutely need it beforehand. As such, the second way to apply  for a codice fiscale is through your nearest Italian Consulate.

We applied through the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia a few weeks ago and found them very efficient and communicative. They called for additional documentation from Rob and within a week we received our two codes. In about 2-3 more weeks, we'll receive the official cards from the Italian government.

We're thankful the process of requesting the codice fiscale went so smooth and happy to cross another "to do" off our move list.