How much does a certified translation cost? This is the most common question we receive from people who need to have a document certified for official use: in court, before an Italian or foreign public authority, for citizenship applications, or for the recognition of academic credentials and international contracts. The answer depends on several factors, but on this page we explain how the cost of a certified translation is actually calculated, what makes the difference, and how to get a transparent quote in just a few hours.
What factors determine the cost of a certified translation
The price of a certified translation consists of three main components: the cost of the translation itself, the cost of certification at the court, and any costs for legalization or an apostille when the document is to be used abroad.
Translation
The cost of a translation depends on the language pair (rare languages cost more than English or French), the number of words or pages, the technical nature of the document (a birth certificate costs differently than a court ruling or a technical report), and the requested turnaround time.
Certification or Sworn Translation
Certification is the procedure whereby the translator takes an oath before the court clerk’s office that the translation is faithful to the original text. It involves the payment of revenue stamps (one 16-euro stamp per page for single-page documents, or per 100 lines of translation, subject to exceptions provided for by law) and court filing fees.
Legalization and Apostille
If the translated document is to be used abroad, legalization by the Public Prosecutor’s Office may be required, or an apostille may be needed for countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention. These procedures also entail additional costs, both in terms of stamp duty and processing time.
Indicative Examples of Rates
To give you a concrete idea, here are some indicative examples of costs for common documents. These figures are approximate and vary depending on the language combination and the complexity of the document; for an accurate quote, it is always advisable to submit the document.
| Document Type | Approximate Price Range |
|---|---|
| Birth/Marriage Certificate (1 page) | starting at 60–90 euros + revenue stamps |
| Foreign Driver’s License | starting at 70–100 euros + revenue stamps |
| Diploma or Academic Degree | starting at 80–130 euros + revenue stamps |
| Criminal record | starting at 60–90 euros + revenue stamps |
| Corporate documents (articles of incorporation, corporate registration) | customized quote |
| Court judgments, notarial deeds, expert reports | customized quote |
Rates may vary in cases of urgency, rare language combinations, or particularly technical documents. For small amounts, revenue stamps can significantly affect the total cost, especially for short documents.
Why You Should Be Concerned About Prices That Are Too Low
The Italian market for certified translations is flooded with very low-cost offers that may seem attractive but often conceal inferior quality and real risks. A poorly done certified translation may be rejected by the receiving authority, resulting in wasted time, costs for rework, and, in some cases, legal consequences. Entrusting the certification to someone who is unqualified or to an unprofessional agency means risking problems with important documents.
What ITM Offers
ITM is a translation agency with more than 20 years of experience, certified to UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 and UNI EN ISO 17100:2017—the international standard specifically for professional translation services. Our network includes over 10,000 qualified native-speaking translators in more than 300 languages, ranging from official languages to rare and extremely rare dialects. For every certified translation, we guarantee:
- Transparent quote with a breakdown of cost items
- Qualified translators registered with the relevant professional associations for certification
- Court certification process handled entirely by us
- Fast turnaround times, even for rare languages
- Legalization and apostille services available for use abroad
- Confidentiality and data protection in compliance with the GDPR
How to Request a Quote
The fastest way to get an accurate quote is to send us a scan of the document to be translated, specifying the target language and intended use (in Italy or abroad, and in which country). Within a few hours, you’ll receive a detailed quote, including translation and certification costs, as well as delivery times.
