FBI Background Check for Italian citizenship by marriage: Apostille and sworn translation
Identity History Summary you already hold: federal Apostille and sworn translation into Italian. If you already hold the Identity History Summary, we can prepare the sworn translation into Italian.
October 20, 2026 · 5 min
If you are preparing an Italian citizenship by marriage file and an FBI Background Check appears in it, this guide explains what the document is, why it may enter an art. 5 file, how it is formalised for Italy, and what is translated — once you already hold it.
The official federal product is the Identity History Summary, described by the FBI. “FBI Background Check” is the usual search phrase. It is not a state certificate, not an Italian casellario, and it does not automatically replace other records if the competent post asks for them.
The service
If you already hold the Identity History Summary, ItaloDocs can prepare the sworn translation into Italian — including alongside other certificates. The FBI request and the federal Apostille remain official channels.
What it is (and is not)
The Identity History Summary is a federal extract of fingerprints and associated data in FBI systems. You request it yourself, using the Bureau’s published channels. On its own it does not cover state registers (State Police, a state Department of Justice, county) if the applicable instruction distinguishes them.
Some Italian consular posts in the United States, for applicants filing there, treat the FBI product as a usual record. Those instructions apply to applications filed in that district. A Prefettura in Italy may ask for different documents, under the ministerial text and local notices, even when the application is uploaded to the ALI portal.
Why it may appear in a marriage file
Article 5 of Law 5 February 1992, no. 91 covers conferral by marriage or civil union. The instructions updated on 18 July 2025 require, among other things, the criminal-record certificate of the country of origin, duly translated and legalised/apostilled. Anyone whose origin, citizenships or stays include the United States may need US criminal documentation. Which mix (federal, state, both) depends on what your post asks, not on a universal list.
- Overall picture for filing in Italy: citizenship by marriage, documents and residences.
- When origin and stays do not coincide: foreign criminal records.
- State certificate, if the instruction distinguishes it: US state criminal records.
- Overview of US documents: US documents for Italy.
Federal Apostille, not a generic “US Apostille”
The United States and Italy are parties to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. For a federal document, the competent Apostille authority is the Department of State Office of Authentications, not a state Secretary of State. USA.gov distinguishes federal and state documents.
The federal Apostille is obtained from the Office of Authentications, under current instructions. For a translation quote we need the complete document you intend to use in Italy: certificate plus Apostille, if already attached.
| Document | Who issues / authenticates | Formalities for Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Identity History Summary | FBI, on the holder’s request | You request it yourself; Italy needs the complete certificate |
| Apostille on the federal document | U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications | Federal Apostille, not a state Secretary of State’s Apostille |
| State criminal record | State authority (when the instruction asks) | Only if the receiving office distinguishes it from the federal certificate |
Sworn translation into Italian
For use in Italy the recipient usually wants an Italian translation. ItaloDocs prepares a sworn translation (traduzione asseverata). MAECI notes that translations for use abroad follow other rules: here we mean use in Italy.
Some US consular circulars say not to translate the Apostille sheet. Other posts, and many Prefetture, want the complete document. Follow the instructions of the office that receives the application and send the full certificate: we assess on the file whether the Apostille enters the translation. Detail: translating the Apostille.
Multi-country files
Anyone who has also lived in Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain or Venezuela may need to join several certificates. It is not a “one country = one automatic PDF” rule. The guide remains foreign criminal records. If you already hold the files, you can send them together for a single quote.
Already have the Identity History Summary and, where it applies, the federal Apostille? Send them in full for a sworn-translation quote into Italian.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FBI Check enough on its own?
Only if the competent authority does not also ask for state certificates or records from other countries. There is no single rule for every post.
Who apostilles an FBI Background Check?
For a federal document, the Department of State Office of Authentications. Not a federated state’s Secretary of State.
Is the Apostille translated?
It depends on the recipient. Some US posts say no; in Italy the complete document is often translated. We assess on the file.
Does ItaloDocs obtain the FBI certificate?
The service starts once you already hold the FBI certificate. We can prepare the sworn translation into Italian. The certificate is requested through the official FBI channel.
Can I also send records from other countries?
Yes. One quote; formalities stay those of each issuing country.
