If you are going to Italy for work, scholarship, or family reasons, you must present your original documents, but you can’t submit them as they are; they must be legalized. Unlegalized documents can lead to rejection, and you might have to start the process all over.
Legalization of documents for Italy is the official process where the Italian Embassy or Consulate confirms that your Nigerian documents are genuine and ready for use in Italy.
In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know: what legalization means, which embassy handles your state, the documents you can legalize at the embassy, and the legalization cost.
key Takeaways
- Legalization of documents for Italy is the process where the Italian Embassy or Consulate verifies that the signatures on public documents are genuine so they can be used in Italy.
- Before the Italian Embassy can legalize your document, it must first be authenticated by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and translated into Italian by an embassy-trusted translator.
- Where you legalize your documents depends on your state; the Italian Embassy in Abuja only handles documents from FCT, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Plateau, and Katsina, while the Consulate General in Lagos handles all the other states in Nigeria.
- You cannot walk into the Italian embassy without a prior appointment; you must send an email to book one before submitting your documents for legalization.
What is Legalization of Documents For Italy?
Legalization of documents for Italy is the process where the Italian Embassy or Consulate verifies that the signatures on public documents are genuine so they can be used in Italy. The Italian government needs to ensure that the documents you are bringing to their country are authentic; hence the need for legalization.
However, before your document can be legalized by the Italian embassy, it must first of all be authenticated by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Afterwards, the documents must be translated into Italian, either independently or by a translator the embassy trusts. To legalise your documents for Italy, you must submit a legalization request form with your documents.
Documents You Can Legalize at the Italian Embassy in Nigeria
The documents you can legalize at the Italian Embassy in Nigeria can be grouped into civil status certificates, identity documents, academic credentials, and others:
Civil Status Documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees or death certificates (for spouses)
- Bachelorhood affidavits or single status certificates
Identity and Personal Documents
- International passports (data page)
- National ID cards
- Police character certificates
- Affidavits of name change
Academic and Study Documents
- WAEC certificates or O-level results(NECO is not accepted for study in Italy)
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Pre-enrollment forms (for university study visas)
Other Common Documents
- Residence permits (for family reunification)
- Power of attorney or business registration
- A receipt or any form of evidence of payment for legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Where to Legalize Your Nigerian Documents for Italy
In Nigeria, there are two places where you can legalize your documents for use in Italy: the Italian Embassy in Abuja and the General Consulate of Italy in Lagos.
- The Italian Embassy in Abuja only legalizes documents issued by local authorities of F.C.T., Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Plateau, and Katsina States.
Address: EU Complex, European Union Crescent Road, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria.
Tel. +234 (0)2094 602 970
Tel. +234 (0)2094 602 971
Tel. +234 (0)2094 602 972
e-mail: consolare.abuja@esteri.it
- The General Consulate of Italy in Lagos can legalize documents issued by any of the other 31 states in Nigeria, including documents from the Benin Republic.
Address: 12B Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Tel. 00234 (0)1 271 0867
e-mail: lagos.consolare@esteri.it
NOTE: Each office only handles documents from certain states. The state where your document was issued decides which office you must use, so check this. If you go to the wrong office, they will not accept your documents. (Source: Italian Embassy in Abuja)
Step-by-step Legalization Process at the Italian Embassy/Consulate in Nigeria
Here’s a breakdown of the process of legalization of documents at the Italian embassy/consulate in Nigeria:
- Gather your documents: Arrange all the documents you intend to legalize. Ensure they are properly notarized and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you begin your legalization process.
- Translate your documents into Italian: Use an embassy-trusted translator to translate your documents that have been authenticated by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can find a list of translators recognized by the Italian embassy here.
- Request an appointment: You have to book an appointment before going to the embassy or consulate. Send an email to consolare.abuja@esteri.it to request an appointment with the Abuja embassy, or book an appointment on the portal PRENOTAMI to request an appointment with the General Consulate of Italy in Lagos.
- Download and fill out the request for legalisation form: You can download your Italian request for legalization form online and fill it out properly with the right information. Each legalization reason has its own separate form; for example, the request for legalization of documents for a family reunion form is different from the request for legalization of documents for a student form.
- Submit your documents: Attend your scheduled appointment for legalization at the Italian embassy or consulate and submit all the necessary documents requested (e.g., your original document, the translated version, the completed legalization request form for Italy, passport, etc.).
- Pay the legalization fee: You are expected to pay a certain fee to the Italian embassy or consulate for legalization.
- Collect your legalized documents: You will be contacted to collect your documents after they have been legalized.
Legalize your Documents for Italy
How Much Does Legalization Cost at the Italian Embassy in Nigeria?
Here’s a cost breakdown of how much legalization costs at the Italian embassy in Nigeria.
|
Service |
Cost |
Fee in Naira |
|
Legalization fee (official) |
€42 per document |
₦62,458 per document |
|
Translation fee |
₦30,000 per document |
₦30,000 per document |
|
Normal appointment booking fee(via an agent) |
₦150,000 |
₦150,000 |
|
Urgent appointment booking (via an agent) |
₦800,000 upward |
₦800,000 upward |
|
Agent service charge (if you are using an agent) |
₦150,000 |
₦150,000 |
Note: The Naira conversion of the legalization fee is based on today’s(07/10/26) exchange rate and may change, so always confirm the rate so you know how much you’ll have to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Legalization of documents at the Italian embassy or consulate takes approximately 5-10 working days.
Yes, Italy requires foreign documents to be legalized before they can be valid in Italy.
Yes, you must first book an appointment for legalization with the Italian embassy.
Conclusion
Legalization of documents for Italy can seem confusing at first, but it is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Authenticate your document at the MFA, get it translated, book your appointment, download and fill out the request for legalisation form, submit, pay the legalization fee, and collect your legalized documents.
If you need help with any part of your legalization process for Italy, reach out to a professional visa agency for a smooth experience.
Get your document legalize for Italy
