What the Italian consulate wants
The 2026 legalisation checklist of the Italian Consulate General in Bengaluru lists the original police clearance certificate, attested and apostilled by the MEA, plus a photocopy, an Italian translation and a copy of that translation. It also states that the consulate attests translations, and that English translations attested by a notary will not be accepted.
In other words, there are three separate stamps on an Italy file: the MEA apostille on the PCC, the translation into Italian, and the consulate's attestation of that translation. The first two happen before you go to the consulate. The third happens at the consulate.
Indian applicants are asked for the PCC in these cases:
| Purpose | Typical applicant |
|---|---|
| Work visa under the decreto flussi | Seasonal and non-seasonal workers with an Italian work authorisation (nulla osta) |
| Family reunion | Spouse, children or parents joining a family member in Italy |
| Study | Students admitted to Italian universities and courses |
| Citizenship or marriage in Italy | People marrying in Italy or applying for Italian citizenship |
The route for each kind of PCC
Issued by the passport office
MEA apostille
A PCC from the Regional Passport Office goes directly to the MEA. ₹1,000.
Issued by the police
Home Department, then MEA
A certificate from a police station, SP or Commissioner is verified by the Home Department of the issuing state first. On quote.
For Italy, as for Spain and Portugal, we do not use the Notary + SDM route for personal documents. A police-issued PCC always goes through the State Home Department.
The Italian translation and the consulate's attestation
The consulate attests a translation only after the PCC itself is apostilled. So the order matters: apostille first, translation second, consulate third. A translation made from an un-apostilled PCC leaves out the apostille text and will have to be redone.
We translate the apostilled PCC into Italian, including the apostille. The consulate's checklist says translations should preferably come from translators on its recognised list. If your consulate insists on that list, tell us before we begin, so you can decide which translation to use. Please note clearly:
The consulate's attestation is the consulate's own act. We prepare the translation. We cannot attest it on the consulate's behalf, and we do not promise any outcome at the consulate. You or your authorised representative present it there.
A notarised English translation or an affidavit from India does not replace the Italian translation. The checklist rules that out.
What to send us
- The original PCC
- A clear copy of your passport (front and back pages)
- Your visa category, for example decreto flussi work or family reunion
- The consulate or VFS checklist you were given
- CheckWe read your PCC photo and checklist and quote the apostille and translation together.
- Originals inOffice drop-off in Delhi, or courier from anywhere in India.
- VerificationHome Department, for a police-issued PCC only.
- MEA apostilleOn the original PCC.
- Italian translationOf the PCC and its apostille, ready for the consulate.
- ReturnCollect at the office, or Blue Dart with tracking.
We give you a time estimate with the price, before you send anything.
Planning around your appointment
The Bengaluru checklist does not set an age limit for the PCC. Your nulla osta, university admission or family reunion papers may have their own dates, so check your own checklist. Work backwards from your consulate appointment: PCC in hand, apostille, translation, then the consulate. Leave room for the consulate's attestation step on top of our part.
Questions about PCC apostille for Italy
I am going under the decreto flussi. Is the PCC enough on its own?
No. The PCC is one document in the work visa file. Your employer's nulla osta and the rest of the VFS checklist still apply. We handle the PCC apostille and translation part.
Can the translation be in English instead of Italian?
No. The consulate wants an Italian translation, and it does not accept notarised English translations.
Does the consulate attest a translation of a PCC that is not apostilled?
According to its checklist, it only attests translations of documents that are already attested and apostilled. That is why the apostille comes first.
I am marrying in Italy. Do I need anything besides the PCC?
The Italian office handling your marriage will often ask for other personal documents too, such as your birth certificate. Each one needs the same apostille and translation. Ask that office for its list. See birth certificate apostille.
My degree also has to go to Italy. Same route?
No. Education documents for Italy need State HRD verification before the MEA apostille. See degree certificate apostille.