Destination: Italy — Planning a Legal Wedding in Italy

A Guide to Legal Marriage in Italy for Destination Brides & Grooms

The process of planning a legal marriage in Italy actually varies quite considerably depending upon the couple’s nationality. The requirements also vary from region to region within Italy as, although there are common Italian marriage laws, each region or town interprets these differently. Unlike many other European countries however, there are no residency or minimum stay requirements.

Generally speaking, civil ceremonies must take place at the local town hall, and ceremonies held outdoors or in castles or villas are not legally recognised. There are a few regions in Italy that do allow civil ceremonies in certain venues outside of the town hall however, and the list seems to be growing slowly. Catholic wedding ceremonies must always take place in a Catholic church.

The documentation required to marry in Italy is basically the same for all nationalities, however the process of applying and the names of the various documents will vary for each individual Embassy. The basic documentation requirements are;

• 1) A current Passport
• 2) Birth Certificate
• 3) Evidence of termination of any prior marriages, i.e. Divorce or Death Certificate. In addition, Italian law states that at least 300 days must pass before a woman can remarry after divorce.
• 4) Certificate of No Impediment/Atto Notorio — This document has many different names, and the process of applying will depend upon the country issuing it. In the US and Australia, it is referred to as an Atto Notorio, and couples are required to apply in person at their local Italian Embassy with up to 4 witnesses each (generally only 2 for Australians). Other countries have various names for the document including; Certificate of No Impediment, Extract of the Population Register or Certificate of Freedom to Marry. Couples should contact their local Italian Embassy to determine the process of applying for this document. In some cases, the document will also need to have an Apostille affixed (an international certification similar to a notarisation), and may need to be translated into Italian. Your Embassy will advise if this is required.
• 5) Nulla Osta — This is a document issued by your Embassy confirming your freedom to marry. Again, the process of obtaining it will vary by country, however you will usually require a Certificate of No Impediment/Atto Notorio in order to apply. Citizens of some countries must apply in person at their Embassy once they arrive in Italy, however most can arrange to have the documents issued by post, or collected if you have a local wedding coordinator.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

Couples must make an appointment with the Ufficio Matrimoni (Marriage Office) in the town or city where they intend to marry in order to make a Promessa di Matrimonio (Declaration of Intent to Marry), along with a second appointment for the civil wedding ceremony. You will be required to appear in person with two witnesses, and to present original copies of the paperwork listed above. A translator will also be required if you do not speak Italian.

Once the declaration has been made, it is usually necessary for the Banns (Marriage Announcement) to be posted at the town hall for two consecutive Sundays before the marriage can take place. This requirement is waived however, if neither party is Italian or residing in Italy.

A civil wedding ceremony can then take place (generally at the town hall), and in the event that the Banns have been waived, it is possible for the appointments for the declaration and for the wedding ceremony to take place on the same day. Immediately after the civil ceremony, a Certificato di Matrimonio (Marriage Certificate) will be issued, certifying that the marriage is legal.

Catholic Wedding Ceremonies

Couples must follow the process above in order to make a Promessa di Matrimonio (Declaration of Intent to Marry), including appearing in person along with two witnesses, their original paperwork and a translator. Once the declaration has been made and the Banns waived (or posted, in the event that either party is Italian or residing in Italy), a Catholic wedding ceremony can take place in the Catholic church of your choice. It is not necessary to have a civil service in addition to a Catholic wedding ceremony, as the Priest will register the marriage on your behalf.

Couples planning a Catholic ceremony should speak to the local Priest well in advance to determine any additional requirements for marriage in the Catholic church. These may include; Baptism Certificates, Certificates of Confirmation, Religious Letters of Freedom, or proof of premarital counselling.