Italian Criminal Record Certificate for Italian CitizenshipGuide

Are you preparing your citizenship application and have been asked for the Italian criminal record certificate (casellario giudiziale)? No problem: it is one of the most requested documents, but also one that causes the most confusion. Do you need the Italian one or the one from the country where you live? Does it need an apostille? Does it need to be translated? And above all, is it really necessary for your specific case? Choosing the wrong document, or getting it too early, often means having to do it again and losing precious weeks.

In this guide, we will explain simply when the criminal record is required, the difference between an Italian and a foreign certificate, how apostilles and sworn translations work, and how to get the Italian certificate online, even if you live outside of Italy, without queues or traveling to the Prosecutor's Office.

Do you need a criminal record certificate for Italian citizenship?

Yes, the Italian criminal record certificate is mandatory for citizenship applications by residence or marriage, while it is usually not required for citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis).

The criminal record certificate (also known as police clearance or casellario giudiziale) serves to prove that you do not have convictions that would prevent the granting of citizenship. This is why it is mostly requested when citizenship is granted by the Italian State, under Law no. 91/1992.

For citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), on the other hand, a right acquired at birth is verified and, as a rule, the criminal record is not among the main documents. You can find updated information in our guide on the new Italian citizenship law and required documents.

Our advice: before ordering any document, always check the official checklist of the office handling your application (Consulate, Prefecture, or the Ministry of Interior portal), as requirements can vary.

Many users search for it as a "police clearance for the consulate": this is understandable, but remember that the consulate does not issue the Italian criminal record. It is issued by the Italian Public Prosecutor's Office, and this applies even if you live on the other side of the world. This is why applying remotely is the most practical route for those who cannot travel to Italy.

When is the certificate required?

The criminal record typically appears in these situations:

• Citizenship by residence (naturalization): those who have lived in Italy for years and apply must demonstrate the absence of disqualifying convictions.
• Citizenship by marriage or civil union with an Italian citizen: here too, the administration checks the applicant's criminal background.
• Specific office requests: in some cases, the consulate or Prefecture may ask for the police clearance as a supplementary document.

Do not confuse it with the Italian citizenship certificate, which is a different demographic document: it certifies the citizenship already held and is issued by the Municipality. For clarity, read our guide on what the Italian citizenship certificate is and how to get it.

Want to avoid doubts and get the right document on the first try? Request your Italian criminal record certificate online →

Italian vs. foreign criminal record: What you really need

This is the most frequent question, and the answer is that you often need both, each covering its respective time period:

• Italian criminal record (Casellario Giudiziale): covers the period you lived or stayed in Italy. It is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office and can be requested remotely.
• Criminal record of your country of origin or residence: if you have lived abroad, the Italian office usually also requests the certificate from the authorities of every country where you have resided. This document must be requested from the authorities of that country, not from an Italian entity.

If your application goes through the consulate, remember that the criminal certificate we are discussing here is the one issued by Italy: it is the Italian judicial authority that issues it, and we request it on your behalf via proxy. To learn more, read what the Italian criminal record certificate is and how to get it.

What the certificate proves and why it matters

The certificate shows final criminal convictions and, depending on the type requested, disqualifications and other measures. If there is nothing on record, the certificate is "null," meaning it certifies a clean record.

Pay attention to a point that often causes confusion: the criminal record does not show ongoing criminal proceedings. For those, there is a separate document, the pending charges certificate. We help you understand the difference in our guide on the difference between the criminal record and pending charges, and you can also find details on the pending charges certificate itself.

Apostille and sworn translation: When are they needed?

This is where many make mistakes. The practical rule is this:

• Italian certificate presented to an Italian authority (Prefecture, Ministry of the Interior, Italian consulate): as a rule, no apostille is needed.
• Italian certificate to be used in another country: an apostille or legalization may be needed and, if required, a translation. In this case, it is better to order the Italian criminal record certificate already complete with additional services.
• Foreign certificate to be presented in Italy: usually requires the apostille or legalization of the issuing country and a sworn translation into Italian.

If you already have the document and only need the stamp, you can directly request the apostille and legalization service. Unsure which one you need? Read the guide on the difference between apostille and legalization.

Who can request it and what is required

The certificate can be requested by the person concerned or by a delegate provided with a written proxy and a copy of the delegator's ID. You do not need to be a resident in Italy or go to the office in person. To start the request, you generally need:

• Full name of the person concerned
• Date and place of birth
• Municipality of residence, if applicable
• Signed proxy and a copy of a valid ID

Validity and timeline: When to apply

The certificate does not have a formal legal expiration, but in practice, most offices accept documents issued no more than 6 months ago. This is why timing is crucial:

• Do not order it too early if the application requires many months of preparation.
• Do not wait until the last day, as the request, possible apostille, and translation take a few days.
• Check the issue date before filing the application.

How to request it online without visiting the Prosecutor's Office

Doing it yourself can be more complicated than it seems: not all offices offer online booking, often an in-person appointment is needed, and if you live abroad, times stretch considerably. With our service, you avoid all this:

1. Enter the person's personal data (name, surname, date and place of birth).
2. Choose the options you need: certificate, possible apostille or legalization, translation, and urgent delivery.
3. Receive the document in PDF via email or the original hard copy by mail or courier, wherever you are.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing the criminal record and pending charges: they are two different documents.
• Forgetting foreign certificates: those who have lived in other countries almost always have to present those too.
• Requesting an apostille where it is not needed, or missing it when required.
• Submitting an outdated certificate: always verify the issue date.

Article reviewed by the administrative practices experts at Ufficio Certificati.