Getting married in Italy for foreigners

A wedding in Italy is a dream that resides in the hearts of many foreign citizens; however, the bureaucratic process could be slightly complicated to follow. Therefore, in this article – as best wedding photographers in Italy – we wrote a complete guide on “getting married in Italy for foreigners” to shed some light on this topic.

Nowadays, many foreigners choose to get married in a destination that arouses a romantic feeling, albeit distant from the nation they belong to. Italy is a highly poetic country from both a landscape and a cultural point of view. Exploring it from North to South, you can come across cities, landscapes, and monuments that speak the universal language of love. 

For this reason, getting married in Italy for foreigners is the first choice for their exclusive Italy wedding or symbolic wedding in Italy, classifying it as one of the most popular destination weddings.

In Italy, the bureaucratic processes are long and intricate; therefore, it is easy to imagine how long the formalizing of a marriage may take. To help you manage this process, we have collected a series of information that will be useful for you to have an overview of weddings in Italy for foreigners.

Is marriage in Italy for foreigners contracted abroad valid for everyone?

Yes, it is. According to the Hague Convention of 12 June 1902, a foreign citizen’s marriage in Italy can be considered valid if the state’s laws do not object to it.

However, it is necessary to specify that each nation maintains a certain autonomy regarding the additional and detailed documentation to be presented and the ratification and validity of the marriage acts.

Additionally, to ensure the validity of the ceremony, it is recommended that future spouses have an interpreter present if they need to speak the language to facilitate understanding of what is being said during the ceremonial rite. Getting help from an interpreter can be effective, especially while carrying out all the bureaucratic procedures necessary for getting married in Italy for foreigners.

What is the bureaucratic procedure for foreigners who want to get married in Italy?

For a wedding in Italy for foreigners, it is necessary to present the Nulla Osta to the registrar, a declaration from the relevant authority in their home country stating that there are no legal barriers to the wedding.

As an alternative to this authorization, which must be translated appropriately and legalized, a certificate of marital capacity is required for citizens of countries that are signatories to the Munich Convention of 5 September 1980, except Belgium, which has not ratified it. 

The Nulla Osta is a document that removes any doubts about the potential existence of obstacles to the success of the wedding. In addition to the Nulla Osta, a birth certificate and a copy of a valid international identification document must also be presented.

Getting married in Italy legal requirements: all the steps in detail

Italy is a popular destination for couples worldwide to tie the knot, and it’s not hard to see why. Italy provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable and unique wedding celebration with its picturesque countryside, stunning coastline, and rich history.

But before you can start planning your big day, you must know the legal requirements for getting married in Italy. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll walk you through all the steps in detail, so you’ll know how to make your Italian wedding dreams a reality.

From the necessary documentation to the different types of marriages recognized in Italy, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the legal requirements for getting married in this beautiful country. Plus, we’ll give you tips on planning your wedding ceremony, including the different wedding venues and vendors available in Italy.

So, grab a glass of Chianti, put on some Andrea Bocelli, and get ready to fall in love with the idea of getting married in Italy all over again. Let’s dive in and make your Italian wedding dreams come true!

Getting married in Italy for foreigners: Can a foreign citizen get married in Italy?

Suppose you are a foreign citizen and want to marry in Italy. In that case, you can do it according to national law before your country’s diplomatic or consular authority. Otherwise, the procedure of getting married in Italy for foreigners, according to Italian law, can do it too:

• In the presence of a registrar (civil marriage);
• In the fact of a Catholic priest (concordat marriage);
• In the existence of a minister of a non-Catholic religion admitted to Italy (non-Catholic marriage).

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We love capturing authentic athmospheres in every wedding. Our storytelling starts from your “persona”. Your state of mind is the key factor of our work. We are like “translators” of a meaningful slice of you, the light, the backdrops, the italian views and our sensitivity by delivering all of this in a picture.

Marriage in Italy for foreigners: What should an overseas couple do to get married in Italy?

If you are a stranger in Italy, before marriage, you must request marriage banns from your Municipality of residence or the Municipality of the place of your future spouse.

Marriage banns are used to let everyone know that you want to get married in Italy. In addition, the District displays a sheet in the praetorian register with the names of the future spouses and where they will match, so if anyone has any reason to oppose the marriage, they can communicate it.

Suppose you are a foreign citizen, not a resident of Italy. If that’s the situation, you’ll need to sign a statement declaring that there are no obstructions to your marriage with your soon-to-be partner instead.

These conditions may hinder marriage (for example, limitations related to age, the existence of family relationships, or other restrictions provided for by the Italian Civil Code).

Tips about civil marriage in Italy for foreign

If you do not know Italian, there must be an interpreter when you ask for marriage banns or sign the minutes during the civil marriage in Italy.

Requirements to get married in Italy: what documents do a foreign citizen need to get married in Italy?

To request marriage banns or sign the minutes for a wedding in Italy for foreigners, you need the following documents:

• A current passport for non-EU citizens;
• Recent access or ID Card for EU citizens;
• Birth certificate (with Apostille for non-EU citizens);
• A Nulla Osta or Affidavit.

Before traveling to Italy, ensure you have the first two documents (Passport and Birth Certificate). Otherwise, you will need help validating your marriage in Italy for foreigners.

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The Nulla Osta must state that you are free to marry because there are no marriage impediments under the laws of your country of origin. It must also indicate the following information: name, paternity and maternity, surname, date and place of birth, paternity and maternity, citizenship, residence, and free status.

Getting married in Italy for foreigners: if the Nulla Osta is not in Italian, it must be translated

The Nulla Osta must also be legalized: you must bring it to the Legalization Office of the Prefecture, where they will check the validity of the signature of the ambassador or the Consul.

Sometimes the authorities of the country of origin may refuse to issue the certificate of no impediment to marriage. For example, suppose the reasons for rejecting the Nulla Osta are contrary to the basic principles of Italian law (for example, religious or political reasons). In that case, you can ask the Court to verify that there are no impediments to marriage in Italy for foreigners.

Getting married in Italy legal requirements: The Atto Notorio as a replacement document

 In addition to the sworn statement, an Atto Notorio is a declaration indicating that, based on the laws applicable to the citizen in the United States, there are no legal impediments to their marriage. This declaration must be sworn to by two witnesses (who can be of any nationality but must be over 18 years on photo ID) before an Italian Consul outside of Italy or, within Italy, before a court official in the city where the marriage is taking place.

Can us citizens get married in Italy?

• Sworn Affidavit: A legal statement signed before the US Consul in Italy showing that there are no legal reasons why they cannot marry under Italian law. The Consul’s signature must be legalized at the Prefecture;

• Deed of notoriety: The citizen must also obtain a declaration from the appropriate Italian Authority (such as the Italian Consulate abroad or the Court of Florence, Notary), which is dated and signed by the relevant parties and drawn up before the competent Italian Authority (such as the Italian Consul abroad, Court of Florence, or Notary).

Under Italian law, all public documents – regardless of origin- are valid for only six months from the date of issue. Therefore, Americans are advised to ensure that all documents required by Italian authorities are at most six months from submission.

Getting married in Italy for foreigners – The citizen of AUSTRALIAN nationality must produce the following:

• Sworn Affidavit: A declaration must be made before the Consul of Australia in Italy, stating that according to the laws applicable to them in Australia, there are no legal barriers to the marriage they intend to contract in Italy. The signature of the Consul must be validated at the Prefecture.

Wedding in Italy for foreigners – The UK citizen has the right to choose:

• Certificate of No-Impediment: Publish in the United Kingdom according to the procedure provided by the ministerial circular and obtain a “Certificate of no-impediment” issued by the local authority of the country of origin and a “Bilingual sworn declaration” issued concerned with a British lawyer or notary. This certificate of non-impediment, apostilled and duly translated, will be presented, together with the bilingual sworn declaration, also legalized, to the competent civil status office to celebrate the marriage;

• UK Consulate: Contact the UK Consulate in Italy to obtain the Nulla Osta.

Requirements to get married in Italy: what should you do when you have all the documents to get married in Italy?

You must deliver this certificate to the Municipality’s Registrar within 180 days to set your wedding date in Italy.

Getting married in Italy for foreigners: Frequently Asked Questions

We’ll cover everything from the legal process of getting married in Italy to the practical aspects of planning your wedding. You’ll have all the information you need to realize your Italian wedding dreams. So, let’s get started and answer those frequently asked questions about getting married in Italy for foreigners!

How long should you stay in Italy before getting married?

Evidence of the termination of the previous marriage/s if applicable (e.g., final divorce decree, annulment decree, death certificate of former spouse). Suppose you are a female whose previous marriage was terminated within the last 300 days. In that case, you must obtain a waiver from the Italian District Attorneys at the Court in the city where the new marriage will be performed. The release is issued upon presentation of medical evidence that you are not pregnant.

A small locations tour where it is possible to get married in Italy for foreigners

Thanks to our experience, we can share tips to help you choose the dreamy location, so take advantage of our Rome wedding photographer and Venice wedding photographers’ portfolios.