What you Need to Know
GETTING MARRIED IN ITALY
THE ESSENTIALS
As with getting married anywhere there is some paperwork and organising that you'll need to do ahead of time. In Italy both civil and Catholic ceremonies are legally binding. For Catholic ceremonies its important to book your wedding well in advance, for civil ceremonies plan to submit your paperwork 6 months in advance.
Be sure to study what is needed in your home country in order to validate the wedding there. Often nothing is needed beyond solid your certificate, but in some places it may be important to register the wedding.
CATHOLIC WEDDINGS
As mentioned above, Catholic weddings in Italy are also legally binding, which means there is no need for a separate civil ceremony or no need to submit paperwork to the civil registry. The main point here is to submit your paperwork well in advance to both ensure your venue is secured and to have all documentation processed in a timely fashion.
Some points to keep in mind:
Start the process at least 6 months in advance and provide the necessary paperwork to the church in Rome no less than two months out. We can facilitate making contacts with the priest. We work closely with a Franciscan mission in Rome who can provide an English-speaking priest for your ceremony.
Ether the bride or groom must be Catholic and neither can be divorced.
Paperwork should be provided by your home parish priest, typically from the parish of the bride. Documents include certificate of baptism, communion and confirmation, proof that you have completed a pre-marital course (pre-cana), and what is known as a pre-nuptial enquiry. However you will also need proof that you are single, which can be provided by an attorney or solicitor.
CIVIL WEDDINGS
Civil ceremonies will be provided in the town hall or a building associated with the town hall, and in Italian. Generally the mayor or mayor's assistant will officiate over the ceremony.
Some points to keep in mind for civil ceremonies:
Paperwork should be submitted about 6 months in advance, but no longer than 6 months or the documents will expire according to Italian law.
For non-resident weddings you must have an Italian interpreter present, regardless of whether you speak Italian or not. We can provide you with a qualified interpreter.
You must have two witnesses present over 18 years old.
You are free to add your own vows to the ceremony.
The documentation you will need is as follows: valid passport, birth certificate (long-form), proof that any previous marriages have ended, official forms: including MP1, MP2 as well as forms pertaining to your current marital status. These declarations must be made in front of a notary or Commissioner of Oaths
Application for a 'Nulla Osta', or 'Freedom to Marry' certificate
Non-Italian paperwork must be accompanied by Italian translations