WHAT DOES LEGALISATION MEAN?
“Legalisation” consists in certifying the legal status of the Public Official who has affixed his signature to an original document (deeds, copies and extracts), as well as the authenticity of the signature itself.
The Prefettura - Ufficio Territoriale del Governo (Prefecture - Government Territorial Office) provides, by delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for the legalisation of signatures on documents to and from abroad.
The Prefettura-U.T.G. legalises exclusively
· deeds and documents made in Italy so that they have value abroad;
· deeds and documents made by a foreign diplomatic or consular representation in Italy, so that they have value in Italy; nevertheless, there are some exemptions from the legalisation requirement which are established by law or international agreements.
ATTENTION:
If the deeds and documents are issued by a foreign diplomatic or consular representation residing in Italy of the following states (adhering to the London European Convention of 7 June 1968 or the Brussels Convention of 25 May 1987)
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Sweden , Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Ukraine
the legalisation of signatures is not necessary.
Documents drawn up or to be drawn up in states that are parties to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 must undergo the formality of the so-called “Apostille” (provides a special stamp attesting to the authenticity of the document and the legal status of the issuing authority), instead of legalisation.
DEEDS WRITTEN ABROAD:
Signatures on deeds and documents written abroad by foreign authorities that aim to be valid in Italy, are legalised by the Italian diplomatic or consular representations abroad competent for the State of origin, without the need for further legalisation .
USEFUL INFORMATION:
The interested party or other delegated person may present and/or collect the documents to be legalised directly at the Prefettura, and he/her should bring the deed to be legalised and any attachments.
Deeds and documents issued by a diplomatic or consular representation residing in Italy, which must be valid in Italy, are subject to stamp duty (€16.00), except in cases provided for by international conventions in force or issued by embassies and consulates of countries belonging to the European Union.
DOCUMENTS MANAGED BY THE PROCURA (POWER OF ATTORNEY)
Declarations made before a notary signed by private individuals, judicial and notarial acts and translations made by a sworn translator registered with the Court must be legalised at the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court to which the jurisdiction belongs.
To book an appointment for the legalisation of deeds or documents, you need to access the online platform - Prenota online (legalisation).
The link to the platform can be accessed from the Prefettura's website under Servizi per i Cittadini (Services for Citizens) or by clicking on Prenota (book).
It is also possible to send theto be legalised by postal service. Note that you must specify the foreign country of destination (in the case of Italian documents) and to enclose a stamped, addressed envelope, as well as any necessary revenue stamps.
Shipping address
Legalisation Office
C/o Prefecture of Cremona
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 17
26100 Cremona
In the shipping envelope it is advisable to include: the documentation to be legalised; an accompanying letter indicating the foreign country of destination; an envelope already stamped and addressed for our dispatch; revenue stamps, if necessary.
Presso:
Prefettura di Cremona