Recently, we provided a definition of “matrimonio concordatario” and explained its requirements in an article published on White Emotion’s Blog. We would now like to provide a clear and simple description of how to get married with a civil ceremony in Italy, including the paperwork, timing and requirements involved.
HOW TO GET MARRIED IN ITALY: CIVIL CEREMONIES
How to get married in Italy – Part 1: Paperwork
Documents required for foreign citizens to get married in an Italian municipality are classified in two types both with the purpose to ensure the bride and groom are in the adequate civil and legal condition for their union to be recognized.
The difference between such documents depends from agreements and conventions in force among the different states. For those who reside in states that signed the Convention of Munich, i.e. Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, Moldova, the Netherlands, the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba), Portugal, Spain, Switzerland Turkey and the UK, the document you need to request to the office or authority responsible for civil records is Certificate of Capacity to Contract Marriage, which will include your personal information, your father and mother’s names, your residency and your civil status.
Those who are wondering how to get married in Italy and do not reside in one of the states that signed the Convention of Munich need to request the Certificate of No Impediment (aka Nulla Osta) to the legal authority of their country of origin. The certificate is generally issued in the local language, which means you need to produce a sworn translation into Italian. Alternatively, the same document can also be requested at your country’s diplomatic or consular authorities in Italy. In this case, papers are issued in Italian. The Certificate of No Impediment basically includes your personal information and Certificate of Capacity to Contract Marriage.
There is no need to publish banns locally once you have obtained the Certificate of No Impediment and the Certificate of Capacity to Contract Marriage, which must be apostilled and translated by a certified translator.
Note: this does not apply to the US and Australia, which follow different procedures.
How to get married in Italy – Part 2: Timing
We advise you to start sorting paperwork at least 6 months before the date on which you are planning to get married to make sure you have spare time to deal with any inconveniences. The bride and groom then need to go to the municipality they selected as their location 2-3 days before the wedding (the appointment must be scheduled beforehand) for their declaration of no impediment; once you have the latter drafted and signed, you are free to marry without having to wait for banns to be published or anything else.
Note: if you do not speak and/or understand Italian, you will need to find an interpreter. The municipality does not guarantee such service.
How to get married in Italy – Part 3: Ceremony and Location
Last but not least of all requirements to get married in Italy: to celebrate your civil marriage you will need a civil registry official of the municipality (such as the mayor, vice-mayor or counsellor) and at least two witnesses with a valid id document to be present and sign the legal recognition of the union. Moreover, you must choose an adequate place to host the ceremony of legal recognition of your union. With regards to the latter aspect, please note that the municipality hall is NOT the only appropriate place for such situation. In fact, you can now choose from a wide range of villas, castles, gardens and parks of unique and extraordinary beauty that will most certainly make a perfect location for you to celebrate your civil wedding.
You can also choose to have a friend or relative celebrate the ceremony, upon presenting the relevant request to the municipality of your choice, but keep in mind that local authorities have the faculty of accepting or denying it.
If you have any questions or would like more information on legal requirements to get married in Italy, visit our blog or email us.
