When a consulate, an employer or an immigration office asks you for an «Italian police certificate», they usually mean one of these two documents. The names are similar but they show different things: asking for the wrong one wastes weeks.
The criminal record certificate (casellario giudiziale)
It shows final convictions and other closed decisions. It covers all of Italy and is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office. There are general, criminal and civil versions.
The pending charges certificate (carichi pendenti)
It shows criminal proceedings still open, not yet closed by a final ruling. It is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the place where you live or lived, for that area.
How to tell which one you need
- To prove you have no convictions: criminal record.
- To prove you have no ongoing trials: pending charges.
- Visas, residence permits, citizenship and many jobs often ask for both.
Using it abroad
To use it in another country you usually need the apostille, which for these certificates is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Some countries also want a translation.
If you are not sure, write to us before ordering: we tell you which one to request. With a signed proxy form we request the criminal record certificate and the pending charges certificate for you, also from abroad.
