Italian Criminal Record vs. Pending Charges CertificateWhich One Do You Need?

If you are preparing a bureaucratic procedure, a visa application, or your Italian citizenship by descent case, sooner or later you will be asked for one of these two documents: the Italian criminal record certificate (certificato del casellario giudiziale) and the Italian pending charges certificate (certificato dei carichi pendenti). They are often confused because both relate to a person's criminal history, but they certify different things and are frequently required together. In this guide we explain, with concrete examples, which document you need, when you need both, and how to obtain them online without visiting an Italian Court in person.

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What is the Italian criminal record certificate

The Italian criminal record certificate certifies final criminal convictions against a person — that is, judgments that are no longer appealable. It is issued by the Criminal Records Office at the Public Prosecutor's Office (Procura della Repubblica) and, in the version for private use, lists final criminal convictions along with certain relevant civil and administrative measures.

If you have never received a final conviction, the certificate will come back "clean," confirming the absence of any entries. For a full breakdown of the different types, validity, and how to request it, see our complete guide to the Italian criminal record certificate.

What is the Italian pending charges certificate

The Italian pending charges certificate is a different document: it certifies the existence of ongoing criminal proceedings against a person — that is, cases that have not yet reached a final judgment. It is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court in whose district the person resides (or has resided).

A proceeding can appear on the pending charges certificate even if it will ultimately end in an acquittal, which is why the document needs to be read and interpreted carefully, especially when requested by foreign authorities.

The main difference between the two documents

In short, the difference is about timing and substance:

• The criminal record certificate looks at the final past: convictions that have already become irrevocable.
• The pending charges certificate looks at the ongoing present: cases that are still open and have not yet reached a final ruling.

A person can therefore have a "clean" criminal record certificate (no final convictions) while still showing pending charges (an open case), or the reverse: final convictions but no proceedings open at the time of the request.

When you need one, and when you need both

There is no single rule: it depends on the requesting authority and the purpose of the procedure. The most common situations are:

• Criminal record certificate only: many public competitions, some private hiring processes, foreign naturalization applications.
• Pending charges certificate only: rarely requested alone, but it can happen for specific ongoing judicial checks.
• Both together: this is the most frequent case for consular procedures, visa applications for the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and for many Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) court proceedings, where a complete picture of the applicant's criminal status is required.

For work and public competitions: which one to choose

For hiring at private companies, generally only the Italian criminal record certificate for employment purposes is required, which has narrower content than the version for personal use. For public competitions, the official notice always specifies which document to submit: always read the requirements carefully, since some authorities also require the pending charges certificate as an additional guarantee.

For Italian citizenship: which document to submit

In Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) proceedings, especially those handled through the Italian courts, it is common practice for both the criminal record certificate and the pending charges certificate to be requested, both issued by the applicant's country of residence and, if necessary, legalized with an apostille and accompanied by a sworn translation into Italian.

A missing or outdated document can cause hearing postponements or requests for additional documentation from the judge, extending the timeline of the case.

For visa and immigration procedures

Several foreign consulates, particularly those of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, require both the criminal record certificate and the pending charges certificate for visa and permanent residence applications, often accompanied by an apostille and an official translation into the destination country's language.

How to request them online without visiting a Court

Requesting these documents in person means identifying the competent Public Prosecutor's Office, filling out specific forms, purchasing revenue stamps, and often waiting in line at the counter. With our service you can skip all of that:

1. Enter your personal details and specify which document you need (criminal record, pending charges, or both)
2. If needed, request the apostille or legalization and the sworn translation at the same time
3. Receive the document as a PDF by email or as a paper original by mail, wherever you are in the world

We take care of identifying the competent office, submitting the request, and following the entire procedure through to delivery. Learn more about the Italian criminal record certificate and the Italian pending charges certificate.

Conclusion

The criminal record certificate and the pending charges certificate are not the same thing: the first certifies final convictions, the second ongoing proceedings. Knowing which document you need — or whether you need both — saves you from rejected applications and wasted time. With our service you can request them online, from anywhere, with no lines and no appointments.