Civil Wedding in Italy

This page describes all regulations and laws for civil weddings in Italy

Civil Wedding in Italy Costs

Waiting for the Bride - One of our  Outdoor Civil Weddings in Italy Being Set Up at One of Santavenere's Patios

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IMPORTANT:

• No Residency Requirements - Unlike most of Italy, indeed Europe, for a civil wedding in Italy there are no residency nor minimum stay requirements for the region of the Coast of Maratea and the Cilento.

• Outdoor Weddings Are Legal - Also, unlike most of Italy and Europe, outdoor civil weddings are legal.

Civil Weddings in Italy - An Overview of Regulations for Civil Weddings Italy

Approval for a civil wedding  in Italy depends on the country of citizenship of each individual.  Scroll further below  to see the specific requirements for a number of countries.    However,  in general,  these are four generic steps that are required to get approval for a civil wedding Italy.  

Step 1 -  Prove that you there are no legal impediments to you getting married in your home country.   This is done by getting, as called in Britain,  a certificate of no impediment to marriage  -  the name depends on the country.  e.g., in the US, this certificate is called an Atto Notorio.

Step 2 -   Get a certificate of approval from your embassy/consulate in Italy.  This is called a Nulla Osta.

Step 3 -  Get the Nulla Osta authenticated.    Some embassies/consulates (e.g., EU countries) provide this authentication.  Non EU countries  (e.g., US) do not.  When the embassy/consulate does not provide an authentication, the  Nulla Osta must be authenticated by the Italian government in an office called the Prefeturra.

Step 4 -  Make arrangements with local authorities  -  Slow Dreams does this in advance of you arriving for your civil wedding in Italy.  

Civil weddings in Italy must take place in a town-hall for most regions.  However, in this region, a number of mayors will conduct outdoor weddings, provided that the actual oath taking and paperwork signing is done at the town hall.  Some mayors insist that the signing, etc, take place before (hours or even days) the outdoor ceremony; a very few will allow the outdoor ceremony to take place first.   The date of the wedding will be the date that appears on the paperwork.    Note: Catholic weddings do not require a visit to the town hall. 

After the ceremony, EU couples will be given five copies of an Italian marriage certificate written in five languages.  Non EU couples will be given 5 copies of a standard Italian marriage certificate.  All marriage certificates issued are valid world wide. 

The following links will take you to country specific civil wedding requirements. 

  UK Citizens                    Citizens of Eire (Republic of Ireland)

      Normal Approval US Citizens                    NEW!!!!! -  2 Hour Approval for US Citizens      

 For Australian Citizens               Canadian Citizens

 Once you understand the civil requirements and wish to have a religious wedding, click on your choice of the following:

Catholic Weddings in Italy       Protestant Wedding in Italy (all non-Catholics)           Jewish Wedding Italy

Specifics for US Citizens

Overview

Important note: US Citizens now have a choice of two ways to get married in Italy.     Below is the normal process.  However, if  any of the following criteria apply to you then you should consider the new  "no-hassle approval process for US citizens" - click here.

• Either or both have been divorced

• You live far from the nearest Italian consulate

• You just want to  elminate much of the hassle.

Normal Process for Acquiring Approval for A Civil Wedding in Italy -  for US Citizens

Briefly,   the normal approval process  consists of three main steps:

• Obtaining an Atto Notorio (a certificate of no impediment to marriage required) from your desgnated Italian consulate -  within 3 months of your desired wedding date.

• Obtaining a Nulla Osta (yet another certificate of no impediment to marriage) from the American consulate in Naples when you arrive for your wedding,  and then getting it authenticated by the local Italian govenment authentication office (the Prefettura).

• Obtaining permission and wedding date from the local town and/or clergy  -  we do this for you. 

Getting the Atto Notorio

Step 1 - Collect all necessary documents for each of the couple. These are:

Passports or, where appropriate, an Armed Forces identification card, final approval from his/her commanding officer for the marriage 

An original birth certificate (long form) which shows the names of the parents with Apostille seal. 

Where appropriate - divorce or annulment decree or death certificate of previous spouse with Apostille seal. 
 

Step 2 - Authenticate Documents

All public records issued outside of Italy and intended for use in Italy must have a "Hague certification," or Apostille, which is a form affixed to a public record by the appropriate government authority.

In The US - Contact the Secretary of State of the U.S. state issuing the document under the terms of a treaty. 




Step 3 - Have all documents translated into Italian

All documents (except Passport) must be translated into Italian and the translation must be certified by an Italian Consular Officer before proceeding to Step 4. The addresses of translation services and the Italian Embassy or nearest Consulate can be found in the telephone directory of any large or fairly large city. You may also check with the web site of the Italian Embassy in your country.

Step 4 - Obtain an "Atto Notorio" from the Italian Embassy or Consulate. 

 
This document cannot be issued more than 3 months before the wedding otherwise it will expire. 


ATTO NOTORIO consists of a meeting in front of the Italian Consulate (in the U.S.) with witnesses in which a declaration relative to the civil status (single, divorced, etc.) of the couple is made. An official document is then drawn up to present for filing purposes here in Italy. You must order the form from the Italian Consulate and/or call and find out when an appointment can be set up for this to be done. Some Consulates require only 2 witnesses per couple (not relatives) to witness the Atto Notorio while others can require up to 4 per person to appear (total of 8). Make sure that you double check on how many witnesses are needed as it varies from location to location.

Bring the originals (with the Apostille) and the translations of your birth certificates (and divorce/annulment decree and/or death certificate of previous spouse, if applicable) to this appointment. Make sure that the Consulate stamps the translations of all the documents, including the Atto Notorio.


Note: 

PLEASE BE SURE THAT AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE OF THE ATTO NOTORIO THE DETAIL "REPUBBLICA ITALIANA" AND "CONSOLATO GENERALE D'ITALIA" ARE SPECIFICALLY WRITTEN, OTHERWISE THE ATTO NOTORIO IS NOT VALID.

Step 5 - Fax us copies of all of your documents at least 6 weeks before the event. We will check everything and continue the paperwork on this end. Keep the originals and hand carry them when you come to Italy (don't check them at the airport). 

 

Getting the Nulla Osta

Step 6 - Obtain sworn declaration (NULLA OSTA) at the American Consulate in Naples (not in Rome). Slow Dreams can accompany you for this process - see Personal Services.

NULLA OSTA is the final declaration/sworn statement to be made in Italy before a U.S. Consular Officer at the American Consulate in Naples, Italy stating that according to the laws to which the citizen is subject in their home country there is no obstacle to his or her marriage. All documents must be shown to the Consular Officer at the time of making this declaration. U.S. military personnel must also present final approval of his/her commanding officer for the marriage.

American Consulate - The Notarial section is located at Piazza della Repubblica, Room 201, and the telephone number is, from inside Italy, 081-583-8220/8221 and from outside Italy, you must first dial (011) 39. This service is performed Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon for a fee of $30.00 per person (cash only) or equivalent in Euros. This fee is subject to change. This fee is waived for U.S. military personnel serving in the Naples Consular District. No appointment is necessary, but we highly recommend that you arrive before 8:00 a.m.

 

Step 7 - Authentication of NULLA OSTA at a different location in Naples

After signing the NULLA OSTA at the Consulate, it MUST be authenticated with an Apostille seal at the Ufficio Legalizzazioni of the Prefettura on the 3rd floor. 

The Ufficio Legalizzazioni of the PREFETTURA is situated in VIA VESPUCCI and is open on MONDAYS; WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Note: the easiest way to reach the Prefeturra from the Consulate is by taxi. It will take approximately 15 minutes.
 

VERY IMPORTANT: Your full name must be written in the same way on PASSPORTS, ATTO NOTORIO and NULLA OSTA.

Step 8 - Fax us copies of all of your documents at least 6 weeks before the event. We will check everything and continue the paperwork on this end. Keep the originals and hand carry them when you come to Italy (don't check them at the airport). 

What Happens in The Town Where You are Getting MarriedI

Step 9 -    The exact process depends on the type of ceremony you are having:

• For outdoor weddings (civil or non-catholic religious)  - Just the two of you will appear at the town hall with two witnesses (local residents known to the mayor  -  supplied by Slow Dreams) with all required original documents described above.   The mayor or registrar will conduct a brief and informal ceremony (dress can be be informal but respectful).   The mayor or minister will then meet you later (hours or days) at the venue you have chosen with Slow Dreams.   He will then conduct a full Italian marriage ceremony in front of your guests.   Slow Dreams will provide witnesses and translator for both the town and outdoor ceremonies  - see ceremony packages.

• For town-hall weddings (civil) -  You will appear with your guests at the town hall with two witnesses (local residents known to the mayor  -  supplied by Slow Dreams) with all required original documents described above.   The mayor or registrar will conduct a full Italian civil marriage certemony. Slow Dreams will provide witnesses and translator for both the town and outdoor ceremonies  -  - see ceremony packages.

• For Catholic Weddings -  see below.

Specifics for UK Citizens

Note:   Getting the final approval from the British consulate can be done by mail.  There is no need to go to Naples.  
 

Step 1 -  Acquire Certificate of No Impediment To Marriage

British Nationals residing in the UK must give notice of Marriage to a UK Superintending Registrar. After 21 days of the publications of banns the registry office releases a document called the UK Certificate of No Impediment.



Step 2 - Obtain Nulla Osta from British consulate in Naples

To issue a Nulla Osta, the British Consulate requires all documents for each British Citizen in their original form + a photocopy of each document below:

• UK Registrar Certificate of No Impediment (issued by the Registrar’s Office of your city)
• Birth Certificate (must be long form, with both parents names)
• Previous Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Decree Absolute of divorce (if applicable)
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Death Certificate of previous spouse (if applicable)
• Passport (photocopy only

Step 3 -    The exact process depends on the type of ceremony you are having:

• For outdoor weddings (civil or non-catholic religious)  - Just the two of you will appear at the town hall with two witnesses (local residents known to the mayor  -  supplied by Slow Dreams) with all required original documents described above.   The mayor or registrar will conduct a brief and informal ceremony (dress can be be informal but respectful).   The mayor or minister will then meet you later (hours or days) at the venue you have chosen with Slow Dreams.   He will then conduct a full Italian marriage ceremony in front of your guests.   Slow Dreams will provide witnesses and translator for both the town and outdoor ceremonies   - see ceremony packages.

• For town-hall weddings (civil) -  You will appear with your guests at the town hall with two witnesses (local residents known to the mayor  -  supplied by Slow Dreams) with all required original documents described above.   The mayor or registrar will conduct a full Italian civil marriage ceremony. Slow Dreams will provide witnesses and translator for both the town and outdoor ceremonies  - - see ceremony packages.

• For Catholic Weddings -  see below.

Specifics for Citizens of Eire (Republic of Ireland)

Marriage in Italy

A couple that is to be married in Italy must appear with two witnesses and make a declaration of their intention to marry before the Ufficiale di Stato Civile (Civil Registrar) of the city or town where the marriage is to take place. The couple must present all required documents (see below) at the time of their declaration. After the declaration is made, it is usually necessary for banns, or marriage announcement, to be posted at the local comune (city hall) for eight consecutive days before the marriage occurs if one of the parties is Italian or if the foreigner citizen is a resident of Italy. However, banns are waived by the Ufficiale di Stato Civile if neither party to the marriage is Italian and neither is residing in Italy.
Marriages abroad are subject to the residency requirements of the country in which the marriage is to be performed. There is almost always a lengthy waiting period.
The couple may be married in a civil or religious ceremony on the fourth day following the banns.
Local authorities require the presence of a translator if neither party speaks Italian.

Civil Ceremonies and Who May Perform Them
A civil ceremony is performed by the Ufficiale di Stato Civile or one of his assistants.
Marriages abroad are almost always performed by local (foreign) civil or religious officials.
Consular officers may authenticate foreign marriage documents.
In general, marriages which are legally performed and valid abroad are also legally valid in the country of residence. Inquiries regarding the validity of a marriage abroad should be verify with the authorities of the state where the parties to the marriage live.

Religious Ceremonies
If a religious ceremony is performed by a Roman Catholic priest, a separate civil ceremony is unnecessary but the priest must register the marriage with the Ufficiale di Stato Civile in order for it to be legal. Because of the special Italian requirements applicable to marriage performed by non-Roman Catholic clergymen, the latter usually insist on a prior civil ceremony before performing a religious ceremony in order to ensure the legality of the marriage.
The Church requires the same documents as a civil service, as well as other documents which you should discuss with the church authorities.

Documents needed:

• Passport
• Birth certificate showing both parents names
• If previously married, evidence of its termination, either with a death certificate or a final divorce decree
• Nulla Osta
• Atto Notorio
• If either party is under 18, written consent from parents or guardian
  Documents sourced outside of Italy are considered valid for 6 months only from the date of issue and must be:
   
• translated into Italian
• authenticated by apostille stamp (both the original and the translation)

Nulla Osta (No Impediment Certificate)

This is a declaration that there are no legal obstacles to your marriage. It is sworn before an official of your home country's Consulate or Embassy in Italy. The Irish citizens can require the "Nulla osta" at the Consular Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Tel. 408.25.68)

Divorced women

A woman cannot marry within 300 days of the termination of a previous marriage unless special permission is obtained from the competent Italian magistrate. A medical certificate proving she is not pregnant is necessary to obtain this.

For further information we advise you to get in contact with the Civil Registrar and the Church of the city or town where the marriage is to take place or the Irish Embassy in Rome:

Embassy of Ireland
Piazza di Campitelli 3
00186 ROMA
Tel. 00 39 06 6979121 fax 6972354

For information on Church weddings please access the weddings site of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome: www.irishcollege.org (or contact Archbishop's House in Drumcondra, Dublin)

Marriage Certificate

To obtain a copy of a Civil marriage certificate you should write a letter to the Municipality (Comune) where you got married (please find below the list of the main Italian municipalities). You may write in English (but Italian is preferable), giving your full names, including your maiden name, your dates and places of birth and the exact date and place of the marriage, together with the full address. You should also send the amount of 2 Euro in cash to cover the cost of the issuing of the marriage certificate and postage

Specifics For Australian Citizens

In order to get married in Italy you need a Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment). To obtain a Nulla Osta, according to Australian regulations, you need to forward the following to the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Australian Consulate-General in Milan:

1. The completed and signed "Application for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage form

2. A certified photocopy of the front page of your passport

In order to meet Italian regulations however the above documents are not sufficient. Therefore, to satisfy Italian requirements, you will also need to provide the following certificates; each accompanied by a translation into Italian performed by the Australian Embassy or Consulate General in Italy or by an Italian Consulate in Australia:

1. Full birth certificate

2. No Result of Search certificate (also known as a Single Status certificate) which is
Issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Australia.

3. A Decree Absolute if either party is divorced (in addition to the No Result of Search certificate)

The "Application for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage" form can be obtained from any branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia or Australian Diplomatic Mission overseas.

Once the form has been completed and signed in front of a Justice of the Peace, you can send us a copy via fax. The birth and No Result of Search certificates and the copy of your passport can also be sent to us via fax. The faxed copies will allow us to prepare the Nulla Osta (Italian version of the Certificate of No Impediment).

The birth, No Result of Search certificates and the Decree Absolute have to be translated into Italian. You can either have them translated by an Italian consulate in Australia or then bring them to Italy or ask us to translate them for you. We can initially use the faxed copies to carry out the translations though the originals will have to be sighted at a later date.

If you are collecting the documents in person you must, on that occasion, show us the originals of all the certificates initially sent by fax and pay the required fee. If you are not collecting the documents in person you can arrange to have a courier send us the originals or certified copies and then have the courier collect the documentation when it is ready (please do NOT send your passports).

Please remember that while certified copies are accepted by the Australian Embassy, the Italian authorities will need to see the originals, so you should be ready to provide them when you go to the Italian marriage office (ufficio matrimoni) at the Town Hall (Comune).

Once you have received the Nulla Osta, you have to take it to the Prefettura. This is a government department, which legalises the Nulla Osta to make it valid for use in Italy. This step can usually be completed within one day. Personal attendance at the Prefettura is not necessary so you may ask someone else to take the documents to the Prefettura on your behalf. Following this procedure the documents may be taken to the marriage office (ufficio matrimoni) of the Town Hall (Comune) where the wedding will take place.

The NULLA OSTA must be issued by the Australian Embassy in Rome or by the Australian Consulate General in Milan. If you decide to have your paperwork processed by the Australian Consulate in Milan the contact numbers are: 0277704217 (phone) / 0277704242 (fax).
A Certificate of No Impediment issued outside of Italy is not valid for marriage in Italy.

Civil ceremonies are conducted at the Town Hall (Comune) of any city, and the ceremony must be in Italian. An interpreter and two witnesses are required for the civil ceremony.

The marriage office of the Comune always arranges the celebrant for civil weddings, but you are responsible for bringing the two witnesses and the interpreter. Some marriage offices may provide the witness and interpreters if you make the request in advance.

The Embassy cannot assist with the authentication of certificates at the Prefettura or with any other civil or religious ceremonial arrangements. You must therefore liaise directly with the marriage office to book the wedding date yourself. For information on religious requirements you need to contact the parish priest where the ceremony will take place or an Italian Consulate in Australia.

The fee for the Nulla Osta is the EURO equivalent of AU$90.00. In addition there are translation fees, which range from a minimum of AU$30.00 to a maximum of AU$270.00 per certificate, depending on the length of the certificate. The fee has to be paid in EURO: in cash if you come to the Embassy in person or with an international bank draft made out in EURO if you are sending the amount from overseas.

Please note that a divorced woman who wants to marry again within 300 days of the date of her divorce must contact the Italian local authorities and seek special permission from an Italian magistrate.
Otherwise, she must allow the required period of 300 days to elapse.

Hoping this is of help.

Australian Embassy
Consular Section
Fax: 0685272300
Ph. 0685272392/5


The above information is provided by the Consular Section of the Australian Embassy in Rome for the convenience of enquirers, but neither the Australian Government nor the Embassy can take any responsibility whatsoever in regard to the consequences of using the above information.

• Valid Canadian passport;

• Proof of Canadian citizenship  (Canadian birth certificate or Certificate of Canadian Citizenship). (If you were born in Québec: Only birth certificates issued on or after January 1, 1994, by “Le Directeur de l’état civil” in the province of Québec are accepted);

• Document issued by the competent Vital Statistics authorities in Canada confirming that no registration of marriage appears in their records (if obtainable);

• Complete details of the future spouse (full name, date and place of birth, residence, father's name and  mother's maiden name);

• Final divorce decree or death certificate of previous spouse (if divorced or widowed);

• Parents' consent (if the person is under marriageable age);

The affidavit can also be sworn in front of a notary public in Canada or a consular official at Canadian Embassies or Consulates in other countries. In this case, please use the attached Affidavit Form “B”and follow the instructions contained therein.

(Please note that, until recently, a woman whose previous marriage was terminated within the last 300 days had to obtain a waiver from the competent "Procura della Repubblica" (court) in Italy in order to marry in Italy.  Depending on the locality, this law may no longer apply.  You are advised to check with the comune where you wish to marry).

4. To obtain the required declaration from the Embassy in Rome or Consulate General in Milan an appointment is required.  The telephone number at the Embassy is 06.445981 and at the Consulate 02.67581.  Our present fee is $50.00 (30.00 Euro) for the affidavit and $30.00 (18.00 Euro) for the declaration in lieu of Nulla Osta.

N.B. If the application is submitted at the Embassy and the fee is paid by cash, kindly bring the exact change. Thank you.

5. The declaration issued by the Embassy or Consulate General must then be presented to the competent "Prefettura ‑ Ufficio Legalizzazioni" (provincial authority) to be formally authenticated.

6. Once the declaration has been obtained and legalized, it is presented to the Marriage Office of the Municipality in Italy. Banns are waived  if neither party is Italian nor residing in Italy.

7. The Municipal authorities will request the couple to return (usually in 2 or 3 days) with 2 witnesses PLUS an interpreter (if one or both parties do not know the Italian language) to execute a declaration before the “Ufficiale dello Stato Civile” (Registrar of Vital Statistics) of the Municipality.  Arrangements are then concluded and a date is fixed for the civil marriage ceremony.  Two witnesses PLUS an interpreter (if necessary) must be present at the civil marriage ceremony also.

The Prefettura in Rome is located at: Via Ostiense n.131/L, 2^nd floor, tel. 06-67106948. It is our understanding that documents presented at the Roma Prefettura between 9.30 and 12.00 can be retrieved between 12.30 and 13.00 hrs. (same day). The Office is open from Monday to Friday.

The Prefettura in Milan is located at: Corso Monforte 31, tel. 02.77581.

Documents presented at the Milan Prefettura between 10.00 and 12.00 hrs can be retrieved the next day between 10.00 and 12.00 hrs.

8. Although every assistance is usually extended by the Italian authorities to foreigners wishing to marry in Italy, a date for a civil marriage ceremony is generally NOT  fixed unless the above mentioned declaration (see 7.) has first been executed by the couple.

PLEASE NOTE: The waiting period (from the date the required documents are presented to the marriage office to the date of the civil marriage ceremony)  may vary depending on the period of the year and on the number of requests received by the municipality. Also, some municipalities levy marriage fees for non‑residents.

9.  The Canadian Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan can only issue the required declaration in lieu of Nulla Osta.  If you do not have someone in Italy who can handle the arrangements with the local Municipality (or you cannot stay in Italy long enough to handle them yourself), you may have to use an agency (sometimes at considerable cost) to make the necessary arrangements. A non-exhaustive list is attached for your convenience.