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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.
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Either or both have been divorced
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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
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR MARRIAGE OF
CANADIAN CITIZENS IN
ITALY
1. Italian law requires NON‑ITALIANS wishing to be married in
Italy to present a "Nulla Osta" (Certificate of non‑Impediment) or
equivalent documentation.
2. The Canadian Government does not issue "Nulla Osta".
However, to assist Canadians to meet the Italian requirements, the
Canadian Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan both
prepare a declaration containing the relevant information.
3. To obtain the declaration from the Embassy or Consulate
General, a Canadian citizen must first complete and swear an
affidavit to the effect that there is no impediment to the proposed
marriage.
If the affidavit is to be made at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, the applicant should fill
out the appropriate form “A” (attached)
and bring and present the following documents:
-
Valid Canadian
passport;
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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);
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Document issued by the
competent Vital Statistics authorities in Canada confirming that
no registration of marriage appears in their records (if
obtainable);
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Complete details of the
future spouse (full name, date and place of birth, residence,
father's name and mother's maiden name);
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Final divorce decree or
death certificate of previous spouse (if divorced or widowed);
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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
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