Sworn translation of the death certificate

It is required for successions and inheritance, survivor pensions, insurance procedures, cancellations and transfers, civil-status updates and citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis).

When you need a sworn translation of the death certificate

The death certificate proves a death and is needed whenever that fact must be recognised or take effect in another country. The most frequent cases we are asked for:

• Successions and inheritance with assets, accounts or heirs in another country.
• Survivor pensions and benefits with Italian or foreign welfare bodies.
• Insurance procedures (life policies) and settlements.
• Updating the civil status of the surviving spouse (widowhood) and remarriage.
• Citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis), requiring births, marriages and deaths of ancestors.
• Cancellations and transfers with registers, boards, banks and utilities.
• Repatriation of the deceased and consular procedures.

Death certificate: successions, pensions and procedures abroad

The death certificate (or death record) is needed for a long list of formalities that often cross borders: successions and inheritance, survivor pensions, removals from registers, insurance procedures and updating the surviving spouse's civil status. When the record was drawn up abroad — or must be valid outside Italy — a sworn translation attesting its fidelity is required, often with an apostille.

We handle the whole file with the discretion the moment calls for: we check stamps and any apostille, reproduce names, dates and places exactly, and set out the correct sequence if the document comes from abroad. It is also among the documents required for citizenship by descent, where the full line must be reconstructed (births, marriages and deaths of ancestors).

What to prepare and attach

• A clear photo or scan of the certificate, with stamps and signatures.
• If the record is foreign and must be valid in Italy, any apostille or legalization already affixed at origin.
• The exact spelling of names and surnames as they must appear.

Delivery time

For a standard certificate we usually deliver within 3-4 working days. With apostille or legalization, allow a few more days.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty normally applies to the translation, except where exemption applies by law: it depends on the use and the Court. We check your case together first.

Validity abroad

If the translated certificate must be valid abroad, after the swearing-in we add the apostille (Hague Convention countries) or legalization, depending on the destination country.

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