Getting Married In Italy
One of the most well-liked locations in Italy for destination weddings. You want every detail of your perfect wedding to be perfect. Imagine a modest gathering on a patio with views of the Amalfi Coast or a Lake Como lakeside wedding. However, Italy is notorious for its bureaucracy, and planning a wedding there involves a lot of paperwork. We wrote this guide on getting married in Italy with it in mind.
Who Can Marry Whom In Italy,
Italy’s legal marriage age is 18 years old. A legally binding ceremony, a judicial wedding in any Italian municipality, or a religious ritual recognized for civil reasons are all acceptable forms of marriage for foreign nationals in Italy. It is not necessary to live in Italy to get married there, but you must file the necessary documents for the union to be legally recognized.
The majority of religious marriages in Italy take place in catholic churches. However, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim marriages are legally recognized in the country.
There are various distinctions between marriage and a civil union regarding marital and legal duties. The most considerable distinction is the absence of the fidelity requirement, a component of marital commitment, in civil partnerships. The adoption of a spouse’s last name is another distinction. In opposite-sex weddings, the wife may add her husband’s surname to her own; in civil unions, however, only one surname may be used in the civil declaration to represent the family.
In Italy, ending a marriage is a lengthy process, but ending a civil union happens relatively instantly.
How Do You Get Legally Married In Italy?
The mayor or one of his deputies officiates at a civil ceremony. The ceremony must have two witnesses and, if required, an interpreter present. Any nationality may serve as a witness, but they must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid picture ID. No witness may act as an interpreter.
Where Can I Get Married In Italy?
Any site authorized by Italian authorities, indoors or outdoors, is permitted for civil ceremonies. The usage of several mansions, castles, parks, and town halls has been authorized. The location’s official license is the sole requirement. The mayor or another government representative will officiate during the civil ceremony. If no one in your group knows Italian, an interpreter must be present; they do not need to be a certified translator. Depending on where you live, a different period may pass between announcing your intention to marry and the day of your wedding.
Catholic marriages are the only religious rituals that can be lawfully performed without a civil component. The couple must include a Catholic. Due to collaboration between your local church, the Italian church, city officials, and consulates, you should plan on a lengthier wedding planning period. Starting your planning six months before your intended wedding date is a brilliant idea.
Can Foreigners Get Married In Italy?
Yes, upon presentation of Nulla Osta, it is permitted under Italian civil code article 116. In the section on getting married in Italy for foreigners, you can get additional details about the international convention that applies to your particular situation.
Which Steps Does The Marriage Registration In Italy Entail?
Transcription of civil status actions, such as foreign-issued marriage certificates, are accepted in Italy if the wedding was celebrated following the laws established by the foreign country where it took place. This is important to know if you’re wondering how to register a wedding celebrated abroad.
To register your marriage in Italy, you must present it to the local town hall.
You must present a copy of the document translated and validated by the Italian Consulate overseas.
The legalization includes both the translator’s signature and the act created overseas by the foreign authority.
This is a necessary completion that has to be included at the end of the translation.
Getting The Documents Ready
You will need to complete the appropriate documentation for a civil, religious, or symbolic wedding in Italy. Consider keeping the following papers close by
- a current passport or an EU national ID card for each individual
- Original birth certificate or certified copy the for each individual.
You must submit divorce papers or a death certificate if you were married, divorced, or widowed.
- Women whose last marriage terminated within the previous 300 days must be granted a waiver by the Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale, the Italian district attorney’s office, at the court in the city where the new marriage will take place.
- Affidavits confirming that there are no legal obstacles to your marriage in your home country, known as nulla osta, are sworn before a consular office of your home country. The “Nulla Osta” must be presented to the local Prefettura’s Legalization Office (Ufficio Legalizzazioni) for legalization after it has been issued. Since certain courts may have long waiting lists for this service, if you are traveling to Italy from outside of Italy, you should obtain this declaration at the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate before departing your country.
- Before an Italian consul outside of Italy or, in Italy, before a court official in the city where the wedding will take place, an Atto Notorio must be completed and signed by two witnesses.
- A declaration of intent to marry at the civil registrar.
- A “Declaration of Intention to Marry” (Dichiarazione di Matrimonio) must be signed in front of a civil registrar at the Marriage Office (Ufficio Matrimoni) of the town hall (Municipio) in the city where the marriage will take place (ufficiale di stato civile). If you don’t speak Italian, bring an interpreter with you.
- When everything is finished, you may finally decide when to get married. Before a marriage may take place, civil banns or public notifications (such as a newspaper announcement) must be placed at the town hall for two weeks in a row, including two Sundays.
The following paperwork may also be necessary for a Catholic church wedding, either in whole or in part:
- Baptism certificates
- Confirmation certificates
- Letter of no impediment to marry
- Proof of attendance of a premarital course
- Local bishop’s permission to marry abroad
Before the ceremony, local municipal and town halls could need other paperwork, such as the witness’ identification. The municipal authorities of the town where your ceremony will take place should be contacted. To find out exactly what documentation is required and how many days before the wedding day it must be submitted, get in touch with the Registrar’s Office at the town hall where you wish to get married.
Registering Your Wedding
Make contact with the Italian consulate of your native nation. They will advise you on the precise actions you must take, including how to prepare the atto notorio.
Your marriage will be performed in the city’s town hall, where you will hand in your statement of intent to marry.
The civil registrar will receive this declaration. Once this intention is expressed, you are formally asked to choose the wedding date. This should be planned at least three weeks before the wedding. Before the wedding, civil notices must be published for two weeks straight, including two Sundays. You can ask the office to waive this requirement if neither party is an Italian national or resident. Depending on the rules of your particular town hall, you might be able to reduce the length of your waiting time to only one day.
Can I Choose The City I Get Married In?
Once you’ve organized your documents, now you may organize your wedding and choose the ideal location. If you’re getting married overseas, the first thing to decide is whether you want to go to a significant city or want to avoid the busy city centers.
Many couples choose their wedding location to respect their Italian background or experience the allure of a specific town. In Italy, most foreigners marry where they now reside or in their spouse’s hometown.
Having a destination wedding can be a lot of fun and an excellent opportunity to give guests a truly unique experience.
In Italy, churches or city halls are the standard locations for wedding ceremonies. In Italy, many town halls are pretty lovely, feature enormous ballrooms, and were formerly noble houses. Some municipalities have places (such as historical structures and villas) that are related to and allowed by the municipality to be used ceremonially for civil marriages. The mayor or a designated replacement frequently officiates the wedding.
You can get assistance from an on-site wedding and event coordinator at luxury hotels. Certain exclusive villas only collaborate with particular wedding planners. In contrast, others may provide the venue and catering, but you will be in charge of all the small touches, including flowers, décor, and entertainment.
How Long Does It Take To Get Married In Italy?
About an hour is spent on the Catholic religious rite. The Town Hall or another authorized location can be used for a civil ceremony, which lasts around 15 minutes and requires two witnesses.
,000 EUR to as much as 180,000 EUR.
| Wedding dress | From €500 to €2500 |
| Men’s formal wedding suit | From €500 to €1500 |
| Wedding rings | From €400 to €1000 |
| Photography/Videography | From €800 to €2500 |
| Wedding favors | From €500 to €1500 |
| Flowers and décor | From €500 to €1500 |
| Venue and catering | From €5000 to €15000 |
| Bridal transport | From €200 to €1000 |
| Entertainment | From €400 to €1800 |
| Total cost | From €8300 to €24600 |
Of course, costs may vary depending on the wedding’s area, location, and style. The bride’s hair, cosmetics, travel, and lodging are additional costs. Another expense to think about is the cost of hosting your prenuptial bachelor/bachelorette parties in Italy.
Even if there is a lot to think about and organize while preparing for an Italian wedding, the memories you make will be extraordinary.
Conclusion
An Italian wedding will require preparation and careful consideration, just like any other wedding. However, every guest will undoubtedly find it to be a memorable event. No matter what kind of money you have, the exotic setting and unique customs may help you plan the wedding of your dreams. You now have it. Hopefully, we addressed all of your concerns and provided a fair overview of the legal marriage process in Italy. Remember that the registration procedure and the actual fee are quite city-specific.