Have you thought about getting married in Italy? How about tying the knot in a little church in a pretty historic town or on a perfect beach with all of your loved ones or at some special place that features in your love story – maybe where you met or had your first vacation or where your parents are from? There are plenty of reasons to choose Italy for your destination wedding – pretty locations, a pre-made honeymoon, great food and wine, and much more besides. If you have found a vacation rental in Italy and are planning a wedding in the country, then read on as these are the top ten things that you will need to do and information that you will require in order to make those legally binding vows...
1. Contact your home country’s consulate in Italy.
This will be useful as a support system and a reliable source of specific information to do with your chosen destination. They can help you start the process and preparation for a wedding, beginning with organising paperwork like the atto notorio, which is the document required for US and Australian Citizens to get married in Italy.
1. Contact your home country’s consulate in Italy.
This will be useful as a support system and a reliable source of specific information to do with your chosen destination. They can help you start the process and preparation for a wedding, beginning with organising paperwork like the atto notorio, which is the document required for US and Australian Citizens to get married in Italy.
2. Submit your declaration of intent to marry to the local marriage office
The local marriage office will be found in the town hall of the town, city, or area in which your marriage will be performed. Be sure to do this at least three weeks before your wedding is set to take place, if not earlier. You will also need to get a couple of documents officially translated. However, the specific ins and outs of this part of the process can change so being in touch with the consulate and the local town hall is the easiest way to find out the exact details for the area in which you are planning to get married.
3. Organise a translator
Not just for ease, even if you speak Italian, you need to arrange for a translator to attend the ceremony for civil ceremonies due to a legal ruling a while back. However, arranging a wedding planner that speaks your language is the probably best option for those who want an easier life as they can help you with all of the paperwork, help with organising the whole wedding, help you get past both language and cultural barriers, and more.
4. Other Religious Weddings & Same-sex Marriages
Italy recognises religious weddings from all faiths, including different branches of Christianity, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim religions as long as a civil ceremony is incorporated into the marriage to make officially legal. You will be required to prove you're civilly married before you can celebrate in a religious house of worship.
Sadly, same-sex marriages are not yet legally recognised in Italy. However, civil unions were legalised in 2016 so, in this scenario, you might want to go for a symbolic wedding while in Italy and to tie the knot legally back home (if that's possible, of course!).
The local marriage office will be found in the town hall of the town, city, or area in which your marriage will be performed. Be sure to do this at least three weeks before your wedding is set to take place, if not earlier. You will also need to get a couple of documents officially translated. However, the specific ins and outs of this part of the process can change so being in touch with the consulate and the local town hall is the easiest way to find out the exact details for the area in which you are planning to get married.
3. Organise a translator
Not just for ease, even if you speak Italian, you need to arrange for a translator to attend the ceremony for civil ceremonies due to a legal ruling a while back. However, arranging a wedding planner that speaks your language is the probably best option for those who want an easier life as they can help you with all of the paperwork, help with organising the whole wedding, help you get past both language and cultural barriers, and more.
4. Other Religious Weddings & Same-sex Marriages
Italy recognises religious weddings from all faiths, including different branches of Christianity, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim religions as long as a civil ceremony is incorporated into the marriage to make officially legal. You will be required to prove you're civilly married before you can celebrate in a religious house of worship.
Sadly, same-sex marriages are not yet legally recognised in Italy. However, civil unions were legalised in 2016 so, in this scenario, you might want to go for a symbolic wedding while in Italy and to tie the knot legally back home (if that's possible, of course!).
5. Church Weddings
While there are other religious groups in Italy, Catholicism is still the biggest religion and most of the cute little churches you will spy will be Catholic churches. If you want to get married in one of these, it is, sadly, nearly always necessary for both partners to be of the Catholic faith. You will also have to conform to the rules of both your local parish and the parish in which you intend to marry. You will need to submit all religious documents no later than seven weeks prior to your wedding date as they must be processed both by your consulate and the local Bishop. Contacting the two parishes will allow you to clarify on the exact details.
6. Civil Weddings & Ceremonies
Civil ceremonies are generally performed by the city mayor or an assistant or civil officer and, as noted, you must have an interpreter but said interpreter can be a pal or acquaintance that speaks Italian fluently, it does not need to be an official translator.
Your own vows and readings can be added and the main legal requirement is pretty standard, at least two witnesses over the age of 18. They must be present at the time of the wedding and sign the registrar. Note: It might not be the best idea to ask your Italian friend to be a witness as, according to Italian tradition, they would feel pressure to gift a large sum of money – you may suddenly find yourself with one less guest at the wedding!
After the wedding, you must also return to the town hall again to present the marriage certificate and receive an an Apostille stamp, which verifies the document and contains a translated copy of the certificate into English.
It is also worth bearing in mind that, as a general rule, these ceremonies will only take place in the town hall and you won't be able to request an outdoor wedding. However, specific venues, villas, castles, gardens, etc will be approved, authorised and set up for civil ceremonies. Look at the area around where you want to get married and see if there is such a place nearby.
While there are other religious groups in Italy, Catholicism is still the biggest religion and most of the cute little churches you will spy will be Catholic churches. If you want to get married in one of these, it is, sadly, nearly always necessary for both partners to be of the Catholic faith. You will also have to conform to the rules of both your local parish and the parish in which you intend to marry. You will need to submit all religious documents no later than seven weeks prior to your wedding date as they must be processed both by your consulate and the local Bishop. Contacting the two parishes will allow you to clarify on the exact details.
6. Civil Weddings & Ceremonies
Civil ceremonies are generally performed by the city mayor or an assistant or civil officer and, as noted, you must have an interpreter but said interpreter can be a pal or acquaintance that speaks Italian fluently, it does not need to be an official translator.
Your own vows and readings can be added and the main legal requirement is pretty standard, at least two witnesses over the age of 18. They must be present at the time of the wedding and sign the registrar. Note: It might not be the best idea to ask your Italian friend to be a witness as, according to Italian tradition, they would feel pressure to gift a large sum of money – you may suddenly find yourself with one less guest at the wedding!
After the wedding, you must also return to the town hall again to present the marriage certificate and receive an an Apostille stamp, which verifies the document and contains a translated copy of the certificate into English.
It is also worth bearing in mind that, as a general rule, these ceremonies will only take place in the town hall and you won't be able to request an outdoor wedding. However, specific venues, villas, castles, gardens, etc will be approved, authorised and set up for civil ceremonies. Look at the area around where you want to get married and see if there is such a place nearby.
7. The paperwork that you will need:
- A valid passport or national ID card for both parties
- Original birth certificate for both parties
- Divorce papers or death certificate (if required)
- An affidavit, Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurata sworn before a consular office of your home country, stating that there's no legal impediment to your marriage in your home country
- An Atto Notorio signed by two witnesses (if you're American or Australian)
- A declaration of intent to marry that will go to the civil registrar
8. Additionally, for a Catholic wedding you will also need:
- Baptism certificates
- Confirmation certificates
- Letter of no impediment to marry
- Proof of attendance of a premarital course
- Local bishop’s permission to marry abroad
9. Fees
The following fees will be incurred for the paperwork and processing of documents if you are getting married in Italy:
- A revenue stamp for the Dichiarazione Giurata/Nulla Osta will cost €16
- A revenue stamp for the Atto Notorio will cost €16
- An application for the Atto Notorio will cost €10.62
- An application for the Nulla Osta will cost around €40
- A rush fee for the Atto Notorio will cost €31.86, if necessary
There may also be local administrative fees, parish charges, etc, so be sure to check with the venue in which you are getting married for information on any additional costs.
- A valid passport or national ID card for both parties
- Original birth certificate for both parties
- Divorce papers or death certificate (if required)
- An affidavit, Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurata sworn before a consular office of your home country, stating that there's no legal impediment to your marriage in your home country
- An Atto Notorio signed by two witnesses (if you're American or Australian)
- A declaration of intent to marry that will go to the civil registrar
8. Additionally, for a Catholic wedding you will also need:
- Baptism certificates
- Confirmation certificates
- Letter of no impediment to marry
- Proof of attendance of a premarital course
- Local bishop’s permission to marry abroad
9. Fees
The following fees will be incurred for the paperwork and processing of documents if you are getting married in Italy:
- A revenue stamp for the Dichiarazione Giurata/Nulla Osta will cost €16
- A revenue stamp for the Atto Notorio will cost €16
- An application for the Atto Notorio will cost €10.62
- An application for the Nulla Osta will cost around €40
- A rush fee for the Atto Notorio will cost €31.86, if necessary
There may also be local administrative fees, parish charges, etc, so be sure to check with the venue in which you are getting married for information on any additional costs.
10. It is all a lot easier if you are having a symbolic wedding...
With this kind of wedding, you can have a second wedding and have the whole thing exactly personalised to your tastes and requirements. That way you can leave sorting out the legalities of the official wedding to when you are in your home country, making things that much easier. You can also get married wherever and whenever you want (within reason), as these ceremonies do not have the same kinds of legal requirements and restrictions.
With all of that in mind, you can now get to planning the Italian wedding of your dreams! Be sure to browse our incredible rentals in Italy and maybe you'll find both somewhere to stay and a wonderful venue, all under one roof!
With this kind of wedding, you can have a second wedding and have the whole thing exactly personalised to your tastes and requirements. That way you can leave sorting out the legalities of the official wedding to when you are in your home country, making things that much easier. You can also get married wherever and whenever you want (within reason), as these ceremonies do not have the same kinds of legal requirements and restrictions.
With all of that in mind, you can now get to planning the Italian wedding of your dreams! Be sure to browse our incredible rentals in Italy and maybe you'll find both somewhere to stay and a wonderful venue, all under one roof!