There are various procedures for certifying true copies of documents, depending on the type of document, the applicant, and the purpose for which the certified copy is required (Presidential Decree No. 445/2000).
- Certified Copies of Notarial Acts Certified copies of notarial acts (such as powers of attorney, declarations of acceptance or renunciation of inheritance, etc.) may only be issued by the notary before whom the original act was executed and with whom it is deposited. To obtain certified copies of notarial acts issued by this Consulate, a postal application procedure is available. Applicants should first submit a request by email to: notarile.londra@esteri.it. The email should include: the applicant’s full name; date and place of birth; and the details of the notarial act (repertory/reference number and date of execution).
Once the request has been assessed and accepted, the Notarial Office will inform the applicant of the applicable consular fee payable under Article 25 of the Consular Fees Schedule. When the procedure has been completed, the Office will provide instructions for delivery of the certified copies by registered post, at the applicant’s expense.
- Copies of Other Official Documents: Certified copies of documents held or issued by a public authority, copies of publications, educational or employment certificates, and tax or accounting documents held by private individuals or businesses (such as registers or invoices) may, in certain circumstances, be replaced by a self-declaration signed by the interested person. This option may be particularly useful where the applicant is unable to produce the original document. For further information, please refer to the relevant guidance on this website.
- 3. Certification of Copies by a Public Authority: In other cases—for example, where the document is an identity document issued by a non-EU country, or where the certified copy is requested by a private individual—a certification confirming that the copy is a true copy of the original may be required from a public authority. In such cases, the applicant must provide the original document.
Please note: Applicants are responsible for determining which type of certified copy is required for their particular circumstances.
Italian citizens wishing to obtain certification of a true copy of a document relating to themselves or to a member of their immediate family at this Consulate must request an appointment by emailing: notarile.londra@esteri.it
At the appointment, applicants must bring: a valid Italian identity document (passport or Italian identity card); the photocopy to be certified; and the original document.
Where the document relates to another person, applicants must also provide: a signed authorisation from the person concerned; and a photocopy of that person’s identity document.
Cost of the Service: The applicable fee is that prescribed under Article 71 of the Consular Fees Schedule. Please note that payments at the Consulate may be made only by UK debit card.The following payment methods are not accepted: contactless payments; Apple Pay; credit cards; or Italian bank cards.
Foreign nationals and Italian citizens who are unable to attend the Consulate in person may apply to any UK notary public to obtain certification of a true copy of a document. The notarial certification must then be legalised by means of an Apostille in order to be recognised in Italy.
A non-exhaustive list of notaries known to this Consulate is available on the Consulate’s website.