Getting Married in Italy: Legal Requirements

Getting married in Italy is an exciting and beautifully romantic dream for many brides! However, there are legal requirements and administrative hurdles that need to be considered before hitting the altar. From marriage laws and procedures to residence permits and eligibility of different kinds of partners, there are several things you’ll need to plan ahead for. But not to worry! We’ve got you covered with the most important information you’ll need before tying the knot in Italy.

If you’re getting married in Italy, keep reading below to find out the key legal details to guarantee your destination wedding runs smoothly.

General Information

Italy is one of the most popular destinations for couples looking to get married. The country is known for its beautiful art, rich culture and amazing food. It’s also an affordable country with an excellent reputation for wedding planning, and a number of different ways to tie the knot. However, sometimes it can get a little complicated, especially if you’ve done your research on what the legal requirements are. The reason for this complexity lies in Italian marriage laws. While these laws vary from region to region within the country, they all have common themes. For example, it’s fairly common for an Italian husband to take over his wife’s family business after they get married and have children together. Or, once a couple has lived together for at least three years under appropriate conditions, they are ‘legally’ allowed to marry without a special dispensation from the state first.

Who Can Get Married in Italy?

Anyone who meets the requirements to get married in Italy can do so regardless of their current citizenship or immigration status. You don’t need to be a resident to get married in Italy. But you’ll have to provide proof of identity and that there aren’t any legal obstacles to stop you from getting married. Both of you must be at least 18 years old. People who are between the ages of 16 and 18 can get married with permission from their parents or an authorized representative. Also, both partners must be single, legally divorced or widowed. And the couple can’t be related, even through adoption.

getting married in Italy
Photography: Greg Finck | Planning & Design: Federica Beni | Venue: La Foce | Dress: Prabal Gurung

What Types of Weddings Are There in Italy?

There are many types of legal wedding ceremonies in Italy. Depending on the laws of the region in which you will be getting married, your options may vary. But no matter what type you choose, your ceremony will still be considered a legal wedding. Here is a breakdown of the most common types of legal wedding ceremonies in Italy:

Religious Ceremony

Given the vast amount of Catholics in Italy, most weddings take place in a church. In order to have a catholic wedding, either you or your partner has to be Catholic. Religious weddings can be more expensive than civil ceremonies. These ceremonies typically last between 1 to 2 hours and include readings from the Bible, symbolic exchange of vows and the signing of a marriage certificate. They’re also legally binding as they have a civil element and the Catholic ceremonies can be conducted in English.

It’s also important to mention that Italy recognizes religious weddings for all faiths, so religious weddings can be performed in other places of worship too, but they aren’t legally binding without a civil ceremony.

Interfaith Weddings

Mixed weddings typically combine elements of both civil and religious weddings. For example, they may include a civil ceremony followed by an interfaith service later that day or on another day in the future. Mixed marriages usually involve two people who share a common faith but may not be married under that faith’s rules.

Civil Ceremony

Couples that aren’t religious can have symbolic ceremonies, but they do need to have a civil ceremony for the marriage to be legal. Civil marriage is recognized by the state and provides partners with the necessary rights and obligations to conduct their personal lives jointly as spouses. The process of obtaining a civil marriage requires meeting certain eligibility requirements, such as age, citizenship, residence in Italy, marital status, and not being related within certain degrees of kinship. These ceremonies typically last about an hour. They include reading articles from the Italian civil code, marriage vows, a short speech, and a signing ceremony. They’re also typically cheaper than religious ceremonies.

Civil ceremonies don’t require the couple to get married in a church or other religious building. These weddings are carried out by the local mayor or civil registrar, at a town hall or an approved venue. These venues can include castles, palaces and villas as long as the property is an approved location to conduct a civil ceremony. You’ll also need an interpreter for this type of ceremony.

Civil Union

Italy approved civil unions for same-sex partners in 2016. This allows couples to have most of the same rights and obligations, such as inheritance, cohabitation, pensions and name, as a mixed-sex marriage. Civil unions typically last about an hour and include a short speech followed by the symbolic exchange of vows. For this type of ceremony, you might need to allow 30 days before your wedding date.

marriage licenses and requirements
Photography: Roman Ivanov

Which Documents Do You Need?

There are several documents you’ll need to prepare before starting to plan your Italian wedding. They can vary depending on what type of ceremony you’ll be having as well as your nationality. Sometimes different regions may also require certain paperwork. But the most important documents will be:

  • A valid passport or ID card
  • Birth certificates
  • If one of you has been previously married you’ll need the divorce papers or death certificate. Women will need a waiver from the Italian DA’s office if they have been married within the past 300 days.
  • Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurta from your country’s consulate to demonstrate there aren’t any legal obstacles to you getting married. You’ll need witnesses for this that aren’t related to you.
  • A declaration of intent to marry
  • Written parental consent, if under 18

If you’re having a Catholic wedding, you’ll also need a baptism certificate, first communion certificate, confirmation certificate, a Nihil Obstat (letter of no impediment to marry), pre-marital course certificate of attendance, and a letter from your Priest.

Requirements For Different Countries

It’s always best to check your local government website and the Italian region where you’ll be getting married for the most up-to-date information. But the most common requirements for different countries are:

UK Citizens

Get a certificate of no impediment (CNI), by giving notice at your local registry office a maximum of 6 months before your wedding, as well as a statutory declaration. These will both have to be legalized at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with an apostille. You’ll also need a translation of your CNI.

Irish Citizens

Complete a ‘Certificate de coutume’, and an MP2A form.

US Citizens

You’ll need to obtain an Atto Notorio from the Italian embassy in your state prior to arriving in Italy, or an affidavit before the Consul of the United States of America in Italy to show no impediment. This will need to be legalized at the Prefettura.

Canadian Citizens

You’ll need to send an affidavit signed in Canada to the Canadian consulate in Rome. This will also include a birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship, a marriage record search letter, a divorce decree or death certificate, and a credit card authorization form. You’ll then need to present a Nulla Osta.

Australian Citizens

You’ll need to get an Atto Nottorio from the Italian Embassy in Australia, or the Australian consulate in Milan or Rome. You’ll then need a Nulla Osta to be signed by the Prefettura.

getting married in Italy
Photography: James Frost | Venue: La Badia Di Orvieto | Dress: Pallas Couture

What Fees Are Involved?

The most common fees you’ll have to add to your wedding budget include:

  • Nulla Osta application: €50
  • Atto Notorio application: €10.62
  • Atto Notorio rush fee: €31.86
  • Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurata revenue stamp: €16
  • 2 stamps for the Atto Notorio: €16
  • Local administrative fees
  • Parish fees

The Planning Process

Once the question has been popped, it’s time to get to planning and organizing your legal documents. Firstly, contact your country’s consulate to make sure you’re fully aware of everything you’ll need. This includes applying for a Nulla Osta and Atto Nottario. Sometimes, it’s easier to get an Atto Nottario in the Italian embassy of your own country. Next, you need to submit a declaration to the city hall where you will be getting married. This will be passed on to the civil registrar.

Make sure that you have your visa, birth certificates and any other important documents. You’ll need to do this at least 3 weeks in advance from when you want to get married. If you’re not an Italian citizen or resident, you may be able to waive the waiting period depending on the region you’re getting married in. After this, you can officially set a date for your nuptials.

Wedding Day

As part of your planning, you’ll need to organize 2 witnesses to sign the Atto Nottario. Also, if you’re having a civil ceremony and one of you doesn’t speak Italian, then you’ll need to hire an interpreter. During your wedding ceremony, you’ll sign your marriage license, and receive a marriage certificate authorized by the local mayor. After your special day, you’ll need to head to the city or town hall to present your certificate. You’ll receive an Apostille stamp, as well as an English translation.

Catholic Weddings

If you’ll be having a catholic wedding, make sure to talk to the local parish to check for any extra documents that may require more time. You’re also required to attend pre-cana classes which can take between 1 day and 6 months. You’ll then need to get your declaration letter from your priest, and the Nihil Obstat from the bishop. The bishop will also have to approve your Prenuptial Inquiry Form.

destination wedding requirements
Photography: Silvia Poropat

Now that you’ve got all of the legal requirements covered, you can go on to planning the fun parts of your special day. And don’t worry, it’s completely natural to be a bit overwhelmed with all the documents needed, especially if you’re opting for a civil or religious ceremony in Italy. But rest assured, it’s not as complicated as it seems and you’ll have all the support you need if you choose an experienced Italian wedding planner to help you through the process.

In the meanwhile, for more wedding advice including all things destination wedding related, head over to WedBoard. You’ll find tips for all aspects of your wedding day, including a wide variety of wedding venues in Italy which you can easily filter by location and type of wedding ceremony you’re planning. You’ll also be able to search for wedding planners and vendors across Italy based on your personal style and preferences. Happy wedding planning!

Featured image: Beatrici Photography

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