Processing times
Processing times
Release times and delivery methods
- Standard delivery: within 15 working days, sent by email in PDF format. The original paper document can also be sent via registered mail with return receipt.
- International delivery: upon request, the paper document can be shipped via international courier.
The delivery times indicated are approximate and refer to the average processing time. We are not responsible for delays not attributable to our company.
Service description
Service description
Pending Charges Certificate: what it is, what it is used for, and how to request it
The Pending Charges Certificate is an official document issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office that certifies the possible presence of ongoing criminal proceedings against an individual.
Unlike the Criminal Record Certificate, which lists final convictions, the Pending Charges Certificate indicates criminal proceedings that are still ongoing, meaning cases for which no final judgment has yet been issued.
It is widely required for employment, public competitions, tenders, administrative procedures, residence permits, citizenship applications, and other procedures that require verification of the applicant’s judicial status.
The certificate includes the individual’s personal details and the presence or absence of pending criminal proceedings.
Validity and requirements for the request
The Pending Charges Certificate has a legal validity of 6 months from the date of issue.
It can be requested at any Public Prosecutor’s Office in Italy, regardless of the applicant’s municipality of residence.
To correctly submit the request, the following information is required:
- first and last name of the person concerned
- date and place of birth
- current municipality of residence (if applicable)
- completed authorization form (if requested through a third party)
- valid identification document
Information contained in the certificate
The certificate includes:
- first and last name of the individual
- date and place of birth
- residence (if applicable)
- pending criminal proceedings registered with the competent Public Prosecutor’s Office
- possible absence of proceedings (“nulla” certificate)
Assistance and information
For further clarification or to request support with the procedure, you can send a message through the Contact Us page.
Important Notice
Ufficio Certificati does not issue government documents.
The certificate is issued exclusively by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
We provide an intermediary service, handling the request and collection through formal authorization, simplifying the entire procedure for the client.
Ufficio Certificati - Service Data
Operational summary: Ufficio Certificati processes civil registry certificates, Criminal record certificates, apostilles, and sworn translations with a verified document completion rate of 98%. The procedures are fully digitized to support professionals, companies, and individuals in the timely acquisition of valid official documents for legal use.
Over 500 monthly requests
Processed in 3/15d
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do the issued certificates have legal validity?
Difference between the Criminal Record Certificate and the Pending Charges Certificate
Although both documents are used to verify an individual’s judicial status in Italy, the key difference lies in the time frame and the stage of the criminal proceedings that each certificate reflects. Understanding this distinction is essential when requesting an Italian background check for work, immigration, or legal purposes.
Below is a clear and SEO‑friendly comparison:
1. Criminal Record Certificate (Certificato del Casellario Giudiziale)
This certificate refers to the individual’s past criminal history.
It includes final and irrevocable judicial decisions issued by Italian courts.
- What it includes: irrevocable criminal convictions, criminal penalty decrees, and certain civil or administrative measures (such as disqualifications).
- What it is used for: commonly required for employment checks (public or private), citizenship applications, adoption procedures, and other official processes.
- Note: Since 2019, the Italian “Unified Certificate” has merged the former criminal and civil records into a single document.
2. Pending Charges Certificate (Certificato dei Carichi Pendenti)
This certificate refers to the current legal situation. It indicates whether there are any ongoing criminal proceedings involving the individual.
- What it includes: criminal proceedings in which the person has already been formally charged (i.e., when the Public Prosecutor has initiated criminal action), but where no final judgment has yet been issued.
- What it does NOT include: simple complaints or ongoing preliminary investigations. These require a separate request under Article 335 of the Italian Code of Criminal Procedure.
- What it is used for: often required for public tenders, professional appointments, or to verify a person’s current legal status before taking on specific roles.
What are Apostille and Legalization, and when are they required?
The Apostille and Legalization are international certifications that validate the signature of a public official on a document, making it legally valid abroad (in countries that are part of the Hague Convention).
If you need to submit an Italian certificate in another country, you will likely require this official stamp. We handle the entire process on your behalf and obtain the Apostille or Legalization from the competent Prefecture.
Difference between Apostille and Legalization
The Apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature, stamp, and official capacity of the signatory for countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Legalization is a consular verification required by non‑Convention countries and confirms that the document is valid for use abroad.
How will I receive the requested document?
How long will it take to receive my certificate?
Most digital certificates are sent by email within 15 business days from the receipt of the completed authorization form together with the identity document. For documents that require the shipment of the original paper copy, the delivery time depends on the chosen shipping service.
What happens if the information provided is incorrect
Our team reviews all the information you provide. If any missing or inconsistent data emerges that could prevent the document from being issued, our customer service will contact you promptly to correct the information together and complete the procedure without delays.
If the request is submitted correctly but the competent authority rejects it, we will retain only a portion of the amount paid to cover the costs already incurred.
Disclaimer: Ufficiocertificati.com does not issue certificates; the document is issued by the Municipality. We manage the entire process on your behalf.
The document is issued exclusively by the competent Municipality and can be requested directly by the interested party there or through the ANPR, where available.
We offer an intermediary service, taking care of the request and collection on behalf of the client through a formal proxy.
