Legal Requirements for getting married in Italy

Italy remains one of the most popular destinations for couples who want a legally recognised wedding abroad. Foreign nationals can marry in Italy, but the legal process involves multiple steps and advance preparation.

This guide explains the legal requirements for getting married in Italy, including civil and religious options, the documents you will need, and the steps involved from start to finish.

Please note: legal requirements and paperwork vary depending on your nationality and where you live. To avoid delays or issues, we recommend using Wed In Italy Docs for step-by-step guidance (for UK couples) or working with a professional wedding planner in Italy to coordinate with local authorities and make sure everything is handled correctly.

This guide is intended to serves as a starting point, and while we’ve made every effort to provide accurate information, we recommend verifying the latest details with the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country or the civil registry office (Ufficio di Stato Civile) in the municipality where you plan to marry, to get the most accurate, up-to-date information for your situation.

Essential Facts About Marrying in Italy

Legalities of Marriage

Foreign couples can legally marry in Italy, provided they meet the legal requirements and submit the correct documentation.

You may choose a civil ceremony at the Comune (Town Hall) or at an approved venue.

Religious ceremonies (typically Roman Catholic) are valid as long as all documentation is submitted to the Comune beforehand.

Same-sex civil unions are legal and recognised under Italian law.

Wedding Ceremonies in Italy

Ceremonies are conducted in Italian.

If either party does not speak Italian, a translator must be present.

Catholic Wedding Ceremony in Italy

For a Catholic wedding in Italy, you will need to speak with your local parish priest. Permission to marry abroad must be granted by both your priest and the bishop. Your priest will guide you through the process and confirm the exact steps to follow, including attending a premarital course.

Residency Requirements

There is no minimum residency requirement to get married in Italy. However, some municipalities may ask couples to complete a Declaration of Marriage a few working days before the wedding, usually two to three days in advance.

Previous Marriage or Divorce for women

Women may be required to wait 300 days after a divorce or annulment before remarrying. Special dispensation can be made to the Tribunale which may be granted in certain circumstances.

Getting Help with the Legal Process

Navigating legal requirements for marriage in Italy can be complex. From preparing and legalising documents to understanding civil versus religious wedding options, many couples benefit from experienced support.

If you want step by step guidance on exactly what paperwork you need and how to complete it, Wed in Italy Docs offers expert assistance for UK couples. This service is focused on helping them understand and prepare the legal documentation required to marry or enter a civil union in Italy, ensuring your ceremony is legally recognised and stress-free.

Explore: Wed In Italy Docs

Need Help With Marriage Paperwork in Italy?

Wed In Italy Docs provides clear, step-by-step guides to help UK couples prepare the legal paperwork needed for civil weddings, Catholic ceremonies, and same-sex civil unions in Italy.

Steps to marry in Italy

Step 1 – Confirm Your Eligibility

Before you begin, make sure both partners are legally free to marry. You must be at least 18 years old, not currently married, and able to prove legal capacity to marry under your home country’s laws.

Step 2 – Gather Required Documents

Both parties must collect and prepare all the required documents. The exact documents and their names can vary depending on your citizenship, but the purpose of each is the same.

A full list of documents is noted in the Documentation Required for Marrying in Italy Section. Typically couples will need:

Valid passports or national ID cards for each partner.

Proof that you are free to marry, confirming there are no legal obstacles to the marriage. This may be issued under different names depending on your citizenship, including a Certificate of No Impediment, Certificate of Single Status, or Atto Notorio.

A formal declaration of intent to marry, where each partner confirms their wish to enter into marriage. Depending on nationality, this may be referred to as a Nulla Osta, statutory declaration, or sworn declaration.

Evidence of the end of any previous marriage, such as a final divorce decree or death certificate, if applicable.

Official translations and legalisation of any documents not in Italian. Depending on where your documents are issued, they may need to be apostilled or consular legalised before submission.

Step 3 – Submit Documents to the Comune

Submit your documents to the civil registry office (Ufficio di Stato Civile) in the municipality where you plan to marry. The registrar will review and confirm whether everything is in order.

A wedding planner or third party can be authorised to assist with the application or document collection on your behalf.

Step 4 – Declaration of Intent

In many cases both partners must attend a formal appointment at the Comune to confirm your identity and declare your intention to marry.

The Comune will then approve your application, allowing you to schedule your wedding date.

If neither person speaks Italian, by law an interpreter must be present at the pre-wedding Declaration of Marriage.

Step 5 – Marriage Banns

Some municipalities may publish marriage banns. Many towns waive this requirement for non resident couples, but you should always confirm with the local office.

Step 6 – Your Ceremony

Civil Ceremony

Civil weddings are conducted by a registrar at the town hall or approved venue. Two adult witnesses must be present.

Catholic Church Ceremony with Civil Effect

If you choose a Catholic wedding that you want to be legally binding, you must complete all civil paperwork first. The authorised Catholic priest then registers the marriage with the civil registry, giving it legal status under Italian law.

Other Religious Ceremonies

If the officiant and ceremony are formally recognised and registered with civil authorities, some non Catholic ceremonies may also be legally binding. Otherwise, they remain symbolic.

Step 7 – Registering Your Marriage

After your ceremony, your marriage is officially registered with the municipality’s civil records and you are issued an bilingual Italian marriage certificate.

Documentation Required for Marrying in Italy

Required Documents

Documents must be originals and officially translated into Italian where required:

General Documents

Passports: Valid (10 year) passport.

Full Birth Certificate

Proof of Address

Witness Information: Photocopies of the picture page of the passports for your two witnesses, listing their name, address and occupation.

Proof that you are free to marry

UK citizens – Certificate of no impediment (CNI) or equivalent (valid for 6 months from the date of issue). Important: You and your partner’s names on the CNI must match the names on your passports, including your middle names.

USA / Australian citizens – Atto Notorio: (sworn declaration) from the Italian Embassy or Consulate in USA / Australia confirming there are no legal obstacles to your marriage.

Irish citizens -Certificat de Coutume/Nulla Osta issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Apply online for your Certificate of Freedom to Marry, a minimum of four months before the date of your marriage or civil partnership.

formal declaration of intent to marry

UK citizens – Statutory Declaration (Dichiarazione Giurata): bilingual document, to be completed in front of a Notary or Solicitor.

USA citizens – Make a Statutory Declaration ( Nulla Osta) at the American Consulate in Italy,

Australian citizens – Make a Statutory Declaration (Nulla Osta) in the presence of an Australian Consular officer at the Australian Embassy in Rome or Australian Consulate-General in Milan.

For a Catholic Ceremony

Certificate of Baptism

Certificate of Confirmation

Religious certificate confirming freedom to marry

Proof of completion of a premarital course

Paperwork Application Process

CNI & Statutory Declaration (UK Citizens)

Foreign nationals wishing to marry in Italy must complete a series of legal and administrative steps. The process varies slightly depending on your nationality and where you reside.

UK Nationals living in the uk:

Each partner must:

English and Welsh citizens must obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) from a UK register office. Other UK nationals are required to follow a different application process.

ℹ️ Find information on how to get a CNI in the UK

CNI will require legalisation (apostille) by the Foreign amd Commonwealth Office (FCO) and translation before submitting to the Italian authorities.

Download the Statutory Declaration (Dichiarazione Giurata) template, one for each partner. Complete and sign in front of a UK notary public or commissioner for oath.

The Statutory Declaration will require legalisation (apostille) by the FCO before submitting to the Italian authorities.

UK nationals residing in a third country (not Italy):

Citizens generally have two options:

English and Welsh citizens can return to the UK and post notice with UK registrer office (7 days residency requirement). Other UK nationals are required to follow a different application process.

Go to Rome and post notice at the UK Embassy, you must be in Italy for 3 whole days before you attend your appointment. Your CNI will be issued after 7 days

Document legalisation & Translation

All documents (except passport) must be:

Officially translated into Italian by a sworn translator in Italy.

Translations must be notarised by an Italian Justice of the Peace or sworn before the Italian courts

ℹ️ Find information on legalising your documents through the FCO and using a certified translator.

A wedding planner or third party may be authorised to assist with the application or document collection on your behalf.

Fees, Appointments & Marriage Certificate in Italy

Appointment Requirements

All documents and declarations must be finalised before arriving at the civil registry office (Ufficio di Stato Civile).

If you’re working with a wedding planner, they will typically schedule all necessary appointments on your behalf.

Application & Documentation Fees

Fees vary depending on the services you require, such as:

Translation and document authentication

Express processing

Ceremony type (civil vs religious)

Notary/Commissioner for Oaths costs

Use of third-party representatives (e.g., a wedding planner).

Be sure to confirm any additional fees in advance with your wedding planner or local authorities.

Obtaining your marriage certificate

A Bilingual Wedding Certificate will be issued that will be valid in your home country. It’s advisable to request certified copies at the time of issuance if you will need them for legal purposes in your home country.

International Validity of your Italian marriage certificate

Italian marriage certificates are internationally recognised. However, to ensure your certificate is legally accepted abroad, you may need to have itt:

Officially translated (depending on your country of residence).

Apostilled (for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention), or

Attested by the relevant Italian authority (for non-Apostille countries).

This step should be completed in Italy before returning home.

Additional Tips for getting married in Italy

Timing

Start preparing early, especially for translations and legalisations. Allow at least 4 working days in Italy for processing your application before the wedding.

Consult a wedding planner

Navigating legalities in a foreign country can be complex. A local wedding planner can help manage the process and act on your behalf when possible.

Many wedding planners in Italy will happily sort out the paperwork to ensure your marriage is legal and charge you a one-off fee for doing this. You will not be under any obligation to use their services for organising any other part of your wedding.

Ceremony

Find out more about the ceremony options in Italy, including how each ceremony is organised and what happens during the service.

Italy Planning Guide

Explore the Italy Wedding Guide for locations, costs, vendors, reviews & tips.

Further information

For official information on the legal requirements for getting married in Italy, contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country, or the civil registry office (Ufficio di Stato Civile) in the municipality where you plan to marry.