Moving to Italy can involve several types of UK paperwork, depending on whether you are relocating for work, family, study, retirement, property or marriage. Italian authorities, employers, universities, schools and local offices may all ask for UK documents in a specific format.
The UK document may be valid, but it may still need legalisation and translation before it is accepted in Italy.
Personal and family documents
Personal documents are often needed for residency, family registration, marriage, school enrolment, inheritance or local administration.
Common examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce documents, death certificates, deed polls and adoption certificates.
For overseas use, these should usually be originals or official certified copies issued by the correct UK authority. A scan or simple photocopy may not be accepted.
Documents for work in Italy
If you are moving to Italy for employment, your employer or professional body may ask for UK documents before you start.
These may include degree certificates, academic transcripts, professional registration certificates, employer references, criminal record checks, payslips or tax records.
Some documents may need solicitor or notary certification before legalisation, especially if they are copies, PDFs or letters from private organisations.
Documents for marriage in Italy
If you are planning to marry in Italy, timing is especially important.
UK citizens are often asked for a Certificate of No Impediment, a statutory declaration, birth certificate and, where relevant, divorce or death certificates from a previous marriage.
A Certificate of No Impediment is usually issued after a 28-day notice period in the UK. Some Italian authorities apply strict validity rules, so the document must be timed carefully around the wedding date.
Divorce or previous marriage documents
If you have been married before, Italian authorities may ask for evidence that the previous marriage legally ended.
This may be a Decree Absolute, Final Order or death certificate if your previous spouse has died.
The format matters. An original court-issued document or official certificate may be suitable, while a photocopy or printed PDF may need solicitor or notary certification before legalisation.
School documents for children
Families moving to Italy with children may need school records for enrolment.
These can include school reports, attendance records, transfer letters, predicted grades or confirmation of enrolment.
Because UK school documents are often issued as PDFs or letters, the school may need to verify them before a solicitor or Notary Public can certify them for legalisation.
Medical and residency paperwork
Depending on your reason for moving, you may be asked for UK medical documents, vaccination records, health reports, proof of income, pension letters, bank statements or HMRC documents.
Many of these documents are not official civil records, so they may need certification before legalisation.
Check whether the Italian authority requires recent documents, as some records may only be accepted within a specific timeframe.
Translation into Italian
Italy commonly requires UK documents to be translated into Italian.
For official use, this may need to be a sworn translation completed through the correct Italian process. In many cases, the UK document is legalised first and then translated afterwards.
Translation requirements can vary between comuni, courts, schools, employers and local authorities, so the exact requirement should be confirmed before starting.
Prepare documents before you move
It is usually easier to organise UK documents while you are still in the UK. You can order replacement certificates, arrange solicitor or notary certification, contact schools or employers and complete legalisation before moving.
Preparing early helps avoid delays with residency, work, school admissions or marriage paperwork in Italy.
If you are moving to Italy, 12 Apostille can help review your UK documents, confirm which ones need certification or legalisation and advise whether translation may also be required.