What Documents Are Required to Get Married with an Italian Citizen in Italy?

Getting married in Italy is a joyous occasion that requires careful planning and awareness of legal requirements. For same-sex couples, civil unions are recognized, though same-sex marriage is not. This guide will help you navigate the process of obtaining the necessary documents and understanding the steps involved in a wedding ceremony with an Italian citizen.

Essential Documentation

A valid passport or national ID card is required for both parties. Additionally, you will need to provide the original birth certificate for both individuals. If you have previously been married and divorced or widowed, you must present divorce papers or a death certificate.

Civil Unions vs. Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex couples can obtain civil unions in Italy through the Unione Civile, which provides many of the same rights and benefits as marriage. However, same-sex marriage is not yet recognized in Italy.

Additional Documentation for Civil Unions or Weddings

Affidavit Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurata: This sworn statement, provided before a consular office of your home country, confirms there are no legal impediments to your marriage in your home country. Atto Notorio: Signed by two witnesses, this document further corroborates that there are no legal impediments to your marriage. Declaration of Intent to Marry: Submit this to the local marriage office in the town hall where your marriage will take place. A translator should attend if you do not speak Italian. Catholic Wedding Requirements: For a Catholic wedding, you may need additional documents such as baptism certificates, confirmation certificates, a letter of no impediment to marry, proof of attendance at a premarital course, and local bishop’s permission.

The Marriage Process

Your journey to a wedding in Italy begins by contacting your home country’s consulate in Italy. They will guide you through the specific steps needed to obtain necessary documents, including the preparation of the Atto Notorio.

Submit your declaration of intent to marry to the local marriage office in the town hall of the city where your wedding will take place. This must be done at least three weeks in advance of your wedding. A translator should attend if you do not speak Italian. After the intent is declared, you will receive an official invitation to set the date of your wedding.

Do not forget to waive the two-week notice period if you and the Italian citizen are not residents of Italy. Depending on local town hall regulations, you might be able to expedite this period to as little as a day.

For Catholic weddings, you must comply with the rules of your local parish and the parish where you intend to marry. Submit all your religious documents to the local Italian marriage documents no later than seven weeks prior to your wedding. They must be processed at your consulate and with the bishop. Consult with your local parish and the parish where you will marry for specific advice.

What Happens on Wedding Day?

On the day of your wedding, both parties will sign the legal marriage license. After the ceremony, you will receive an official marriage certificate authorized by the mayor in the municipality where you marry. This certificate will be legalized by the Apostille stamp, which verifies the document and includes a translated copy of the certificate in English.

Costs Involved

Be prepared to pay several fees, including:

Revenue stamp for the Dichiarazione Giurata/Nulla Osta: €16 Revenue stamp for the Atto Notorio: €16 Application for the Atto Notorio: €1062 Application for the Nulla Osta: About €40 (for foreign nationals) Emergency rush fee for the Atto Notorio: €3,186 (if applicable)

Local administrative fees or charges specific to your parish may apply. Inquire directly with the venue where you will marry.

Final Notes

While there is no legal residency requirement for a wedding in Italy, you must prove your identity and ensure there are no legal barriers to your marriage. If you are a foreign national marrying an Italian citizen, you do not need a visa for the wedding.

Both parties must be 18 years old to legally marry. Under-18s require written parental consent, and Muslim individuals can marry at age 16 with the permission of sharia authorities.