A Wedding in Italy? - Congratulazioni!
Getting married in Italy
There are many gorgeous locales in Italy, from the beautiful Amalfi Coast to the glamour of Como Lake in Northern Italy.
There is no residency requirement to get married in Italy. After a couple declares their intent to marry, banns (announcements) are posted, notifying the public of the marriage. The length of time that these banns are posted varies, however, and is often waived for noncitizens.
Non citizens marrying in Italy must appear before the civil registrar in the city in which they will marry at least three days before their wedding. They must bring two witnesses. At this time, the couple declares their intention to marry and provides legal documentation for their marriage. If neither party is an Italian citizen or resident and speaks Italian, a translator is mandatory. Once the couple has declared their intent to marry, banns are posted in the commune, or town hall. The length of time the banns, or marriage announcements, are posted varies from one day to several weeks depending on the city. In many cases, banns are waived or shortened when neither individual is Italian or a resident of Italy. Couples should contact city hall for details.
Individuals marrying in Italy must submit a Nulla Osta form -- along with a small fee -- that verifies that they are free to marry. They must sign the form in front of a consular officer. Both the bride and groom also must obtain an Atto Notorio, an oath sworn in the presence of two witnesses and an Italian consul, which states that "there are no legal impediments to the marriage according to the laws to which the person concerned is subject to in their country of citizenship." Both the bride and groom must provide their passports and birth certificates. In cases of remarriage, the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse must be provided as well. Documents issued that are in English must be translated into Italian and authenticated by the Italian Consulate. Couples should contact the Italian Consulate in the city in which they will marry to verify documentation requirements, as there are some variances among consulates.