UK Citizens

Citizens of Eire (Republic of Ireland)

Normal Approval US Citizens       

2 Hour Approval for US Citizens  - valid for a limited number of towns.    

Australian Citizens

Canadian Citizens

Catholic Weddings

Non-Catholic Religious Weddings

Wedding in Italy Regulations 

Marriage Laws in Italy

IMPORTANT   -  For this region:

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

• Outdoor Weddings Are Legal in This Region - Also, unlike most of Italy and Europe, outdoor weddings are legal  -  except for Catholic weddings which must be held in a church. However, official paperwork with oath must take place at the town-hall.  Some of the towns  in this region require this paperwork be done before the outdoor ceremony, some after.

• The date on the marriage certificate for non-Catholic weddings (civil and religious)  will  be the date when the official documents are signed at the town hall.  For most couples, this is usually the date of the outdoor ceremony; but some couples find it more convenient to go to the town hall a day or two  prior to the outdoor ceremony.

This page provides detailed marriage & wedding regulations for Italy.  It is important to check directly with your consulate/embassy to ensure the latest information and fees they charge - see bottom of any page for links to consulates/embassies.

There are common Italian marriage laws; however,  each region/town interprets these laws differently and adds some restriction of their own  -  e.g., some other areas of Italy have a minimum of 6 to 10 day stay requirement.    This can cause confusion.  If you are in doubt, contact your consulate in Italy - see bottom of page.

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 eliminate much of the hassle.

Normal Process for Acquiring Approval to Marry in Italy -  for US Citizens

Briefly,   the normal approval process  consists of 4 main steps:

• both U.S. citizens must make an appointment online with the American Consulate in Naples for 8 a.m. on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday (except Holidays).  Before doing so, please check with us so we can advise what date this should be done.

  • Go to: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/
  • Scroll down to NAPLES and click where it tells you to set up an appointment..
  • Then click on where it says “MAKE AN APPOINTMENT”. Then the page comes up :
  • ACS Appointment System – Choose Service(s). Now click on “Request Notarial and other services not listed above”.
  • Then, there is another box that you should click (and read) – I have read the instructions on the Embassy or Consulate website for passport services I require. Click on Submit and then a calendar will come up and each of you need to make an appointment for the day that you need to be at the consulate and for the same time (pick the earliest time that is available – 8 a.m. is preferred) + you need to fill in all the pertinent information that they require. Continue to follow the instructions.
  • Make sure you keep a print out of your appointment

• Obtaining an Atto Notorio (a certificate of no impediment to marriage required) from your designated Italian consulate in the U.S. -  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 government 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.  We have a guide that charges for this service.

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 $50.00 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. Both U.S. citizens MUST schedule an appointment for a notarial service - https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/

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. You must first purchase stamps for each Nulla Osta (EUR 14.63 per each U.S. citizen) - costs of stamps subject to change.

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 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 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)

Specifics For Australian Citizens

MARRIAGE IN ITALY

Australian government representatives overseas cannot perform marriage ceremonies and you cannot get married at an Australian Embassy or Consulate

Australians intending to marry in Italy must be in possession of an "Atto di notorietà per uso matrimonio" (also known as Atto Notorio per matrimonio), produced by the Italian authorities and a Nulla Osta which is available from the Australian Embassy in Rome or Consulate-General in Milan.

The requirements for Australians getting married in Italy are currently under review. At this time, Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage (either issued by DFAT in Canberra or by an Australian mission in Italy) are not accepted by Italian authorities.

ATTO NOTORIO PER MATRIMONIO

An Atto Notorio per matrimonio (sworn declaration) can be obtained from the Italian Embassy or Consulates in Australia, or from a Tribunale Civile in Italy (details provided below). Please note that under new Italian legislation there may be restrictions on who can apply for an Atto Notorio at an Italian overseas mission. No such restrictions apply to people seeking an Atto Notorio in Italy. We strongly urge you to contact the Italian Embassy or nearest Italian Consulate for more information on this procedure and the costs involved.

If you have been previously married, you must produce evidence of the termination of your marriage(s). Documents accepted for this purpose include original divorce and death certificates.

All certificates including divorce certificates or death certificates evidencing the termination of previous marriages MUST be ORIGINALS. Photocopies are not accepted. Australian Certificates can be obtained from the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages or the Family Court of Australia, as appropriate.

Note: In Italy a divorced woman who wishes to marry again within 300 days of the date of the finalisation of her divorce must seek special permission from an Italian magistrate, or allow the 300 days to elapse.

Tribunale Civile in Italy

The Atto Notorio per matrimonio can be obtained from any Tribunale Civile in Italy. The person(s) requesting the Atto Notorio must attend in person. Please note that you may have to be accompanied by witnesses and, if the parties to the marriage do not speak Italian, an interpreter. You should confirm these requirements, together with the fee for the service with the Tribunale when you ring to make your appointment.


Following are the contact details for the Tribunale Civile in Rome:

Tribunale Civile di Roma
Office for "Atti Notori"
Viale Giulio Cesare 54/B
Nuovo Edificio, 1st floor, Room 523 and 524
00192 Rome ITALY
Tel: +39 06 357 7547


NULLA OSTA

In addition to the Atto Notorio per matrimonio - no matter what your current marital status (single, divorced or widowed) –Australian citizens marrying in Italy require a Nulla Osta (Sworn Declaration) issued by an Australian Mission in Italy.   This must be done in person.  The Nulla Osta literally states that "there are no impediments" or that one is free to marry. The document is valid for six months and costs the Euro equivalent of $50.00 per Australian citizen (fee is subject to change).  This Italian document is different to the Australian Certificate of No Impediment, which is not currently being accepted.

A Nulla Osta can be obtained from:

Australian Embassy
Via Antonio Bosio 5
00161 Rome, ITALY
Telephone: +39 06 8527 2246
Facsimile: +39 06 8527 2300
Email: consular-rome@dfat.gov.au
Website: http://www.italy.embassy.gov.au/

Please note that payments can only be made in cash in Euros, or with an Italian bank cheque. Credit card facilities are not available.

The Nulla Osta must be legalised by the Uffico Legalizzazioni of the Prefettura in which you intend to marry. The fee should be confirmed with the Prefettura.  You must first purchase stamps for each Nulla Osta (EUR 14.63 per each Australian citizen) - costs of stamps subject to change.


Contact details of the Prefettura in Rome are:
Viale Ostiense, 131L,
2nd floor, Scala B,
00154 Rome ITALY

NOTE:  Days/Hours of Operation:  Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 – 12:00, except holiday.    Please make sure you double check in case there are any changes.

CIVIL CEREMONY
After legalising the Nulla Osta, the document together with the Atto Notorio per matrimonio must be taken to the Ufficio Matrimoni (Marriage Office), in the Italian city where you plan to marry. There you will be given two appointments: The first to make a Promessa di Matrimonio (Declaration of Intent to Marry); and the second for the actual civil marriage ceremony. For these appointments you may have to be accompanied by witnesses and, if the parties to the marriage do not speak Italian, an interpreter. You should confirm these requirements, together with the fee for the service when you contact the Ufficio Matrimoni to make your appointments.

If one or more of the parties to the marriage is Italian or is an Australian with Italian residency, then Banns (pubblicazione di matrimonio) must be posted for at least two weeks prior to the ceremony.

At the civil ceremony, you should apply for a marriage certificate (certificato di matrimonio), which will be provided immediately after the ceremony. Ask to have an Apostille affixed to the certificate by the Prefettura (of the city in which you get married), so that the document can be used for legal purposes.

Applicants are required to pay a fee for the rental of the marriage hall. Fees vary considerably depending on the location of the marriage. Further information on fees is available from the Ufficio Matrimoni (Marriage Office), in the Italian city where you plan to marry

During the peak marriage season (May to September) delays can be expected in obtaining appointments for the civil ceremony and in the issue of the Apostille. Please note that many Italian offices close for at least part of the month of August.

Contact details for the Marriage Office in Rome are:
Via Petroselli, 50,
00186 Rome ITALY
Tel: +39 06 6710 3066

Further information on marrying in Italy can be obtained from the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Australian Consulate-General in Milan.

The above information is provided by the Consular Section of the Australian
Embassy in Rome for the convenience of Australian Consular clients. While every effort is made to maintain the currency of this information, which is correct at the time of publication, the information may change at any time without notice. It is the responsibility of the individual to confirm the advice provided with the appropriate Italian authorities.

Published: 4 August 2011

• 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 fee is $50.00 (30.00 Euro) for the affidavit and $30.00 (18.00 Euro) for the declaration in lieu of Nulla Osta (fees subject to change).

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, 2nd 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.

ADDITIONAL CATHOLIC AND "MIXED" WEDDING REQUIREMENTS AND PAPERWORK

See www.slow-dreams.com/catholic-weddings-italy.htm

Specifics for Non-Catholic Religious Weddings

At the end of the appropriate civil process for you, there will be a religious ceremony.   This may be anywhere outside, e.g., garden, beach, etc or maybe in a Catholic church.   There are no non-catholic churches in the area.  However,  the bishop of Maratea usually approves the use of a Catholic church.

Religious ceremonies can be held on the same day as the preceding civil ceremony. 

Other Information
Fees: Fees for documents will typically amount to a few hundred dollars. There will be fees associated with the American Consulate, Translations, Apostilles, and ordering of public documents