When you need an apostille for Italy visa documents
The Italian consulate requires an apostille on a marriage certificate issued outside Cyprus. If you apply with children, their birth certificates also need an apostille. Cyprus-issued certificates do not need one.
Key facts
- Route
- 🇨🇾 Cyprus → 🇮🇹 Italy
- Where to book
- Consulate
- Apostille needed
- for the marriage certificate and, if applying with children, for their birth certificates if the documents were issued outside Cyprus
- Where to get it
- in the country that issued the document
- Who translates
- a sworn translator in Cyprus
- Translation time
- usually 1–5 days
| 6 mo | 12 mo | all time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cases | 8 | 11 | 62 |
| Approved | 75% | 81% | 96% |
| Typical decision time | 14 d | 14 d | 14 d |
- Multiple-entry visas
- 58%
- Longer than the trip
- 41%
Need a visa appointment?
Which documents need an apostille
An apostille is required on the marriage certificate. If you apply with children, their birth certificates also need one.
Documents issued in Cyprus do not need an apostille. Documents issued in Russia or any other country do need one.
Why the consulate asks for an apostille
Under the general rules, these documents should not require an apostille. The Italian consulate still asks for it and in most cases does not accept marriage or birth certificates without one.
Where and how to get an apostille
An apostille can only be issued in the country that originally issued the document. You cannot get it at the consulate or anywhere in Cyprus.
- In person, by booking an appointment with the competent authority or visiting an MFC.
- Through the civil registry office.
- With a general power of attorney, so a representative can obtain the apostille for you.
- Through a paid service that arranges the apostille remotely and sends the document to you, including to Cyprus.
Translation by a sworn translator in Cyprus
Once the apostille is ready, the certificate must be translated by a sworn translator in Cyprus. This needs to be done before submission.
A sworn translator certifies the translation in court. The full list of sworn translators is published on the P.I.O. website.
Examples of sworn translators: CYTRANSLATION and a translator in Limassol.
Translation usually takes 1–5 days. Check the timing with the translator in advance, especially if your appointment date is close.
What to bring to your appointment
For the appointment, you need the original certificate with the apostille and the translation. You do not need the apostille to book the appointment, so you can book while the document is still on the way.
If you are applying as a family
For Italy, a family books one family slot. Each applicant attends the appointment in person.
For a family appointment, you will need family documents and apostilles on certificates issued outside Cyprus.
How we can help
We do not arrange apostilles or translations. We can tell you where to get them and send you a list of sworn translators.
We can book your appointment for the Italian consulate in Nicosia. We send the appointment confirmation before payment.