Your marriage in Italy legal, how to get it easily.
Choosing Italy as the place to celebrate their wedding is a dream of many foreign couples.
With its romantic charm, breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and delicious food, Italy offers a perfect setting for an unforgettable wedding.
However, before plunging into your dream of a wedding in Italy, it is essential to know the legal requirements and the bureaucratic process that foreign couples have to go through.
This article will guide you through the requirements and bureaucratic steps necessary for a wedding in Italy.
From the necessary documentation to the procedure, we will provide you with all the information you need to start planning your big day.
Legal requirements for your marriage in Italy
When it comes to getting married in Italy, it is essential to be aware of the specific legal requirements that must be met.
These requirements may vary depending on the nationality of the couple and the local laws of the municipality where you wish to celebrate the wedding.
Here is a general overview of the common requirements for marriage in Italy.
Documents required: An essential part of the process is the collection of the necessary documents.
Usually, a valid passport and a full copy of the birth certificate is required, which must be translated into Italian by an official translator and legalised.
Other required documents may include civil status certificates, divorce or death certificates if applicable, and an affidavit of eligibility to marry.
Age requirements and capacity to marry: It is necessary to meet the legal age requirements to marry in Italy, which is 18.
In addition, it is important to check whether there are any further requirements as regards marital capacity, such as the absence of previous marriage bonds.
Validity and translation of documents abroad: documents presented for marriage in Italy must be valid and legally recognised.
It is necessary to obtain legalization for foreign documents at the embassy or consulate of one’s country of origin.
In addition, it is necessary to have all documents translated into Italian by a recognised official translator.
Specific requirements for different nationalities: Depending on the nationality of the future spouses, there may be additional specific requirements to be fulfilled.
For instance, for non-European citizens, an entry visa or residence permit may be required to get married in Italy.
It is important to check with the embassy or consulate of your country of origin for accurate and up-to-date information on specific requirements.
Bear in mind that these are only some of the general requirements for a marriage in Italy.
It is advisable to consult a specialised marriage consultant or to contact directly the civil status office of the commune where you will be getting married.
Bureaucratic procedure
Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, it is important to understand the bureaucratic procedure to follow for getting married in Italy.
Each Commune may have slightly different registration procedures, so it is advisable to contact the civil registrar’s office of your chosen Commune directly for specific information.
However, the general steps that usually need to be followed are listed below
Marriage registry and request for the Nulla Osta: The first step is to register the marriage at the civil registrar’s office of the commune.
Initially, it will be necessary to submit an application for a Nulla Osta (document certifying eligibility to marry).
This may require filling in a form and presenting the required documents, which will then be verified and registered.
Appointment at the civil registrar’s office for the affidavit.
Subsequently, an appointment will be scheduled at the civil status office for the sworn declaration.
During this appointment, the bride and groom must take the oath and declare their intention to marry.
An official of the municipality and two witnesses, generally over 18 years of age and in possession of a valid identity document, will be present.
Request for additional documents, if necessary.
In certain cases, the civil registrar’s office may request additional documents or information.
For instance, certification of residence or the presence of an interpreter during the appointment at the civil status office may be required.
Payment of taxes and administrative fees for marriage in Italy
During the marriage registration process, payment of taxes and administrative fees will be required.
The amount may vary depending on the municipality and the specific circumstances. It is advisable to inquire in advance about the expected fees to avoid financial surprises.
It is important to remember that processing times may vary from municipality to municipality.
Therefore, it is advisable to start the bureaucratic process well in advance of the planned wedding date.
Moreover, working closely with a wedding planner can simplify the bureaucratic process and ensure that everything is done correctly.
Transcribing the marriage in Italy, abroad
After having celebrated the marriage in Italy, it may be necessary to transcribe the marriage at the embassy or consulate of your country of origin.
This step is important to ensure that your marriage is legally recognised in your country of nationality.
The main points to consider when transcribing your marriage abroad are listed below:
Procedure for transcribing the marriage in Italy.
First of all, it is advisable to contact the embassy or consulate of your country of origin to obtain specific information on the procedure for transcribing your marriage.
Usually, you will be required to present a series of documents, such as certified copies of the marriage record, birth certificates, passports, and any other documentation required by the authorities of your country.
Required documentation and timing.
It is important to provide all the required documentation in the format specified by the competent authorities.
It may be necessary to obtain the apostille or other forms of legalisation of Italian documents from the competent authorities.
In addition, it is advisable to enquire about the expected timelines for transcription and act accordingly to ensure that the process is completed without delay.
Legal validity of the marriage transcribed abroad.
The transcription of the marriage abroad gives the marriage legal validity in your country of nationality.
This means that the marriage will be recognised by the competent authorities and will have the same legal effects as a marriage celebrated in your country.
It is important to ensure that you follow the transcription procedure correctly in order to guarantee the legal validity of your marriage.
Remember to properly plan the time for the transcription of your marriage and to take into consideration any additional documents required.
The transcription of your marriage abroad is a fundamental step to ensure the legal validity of your marriage in your country of nationality.
Make sure you complete this procedure correctly to avoid future complications and fully enjoy your international marriage.
Marriage in Italy how we can help you.
We know this blog article is a bit technical and the process for a legal marriage in Italy, read in one go, can be scary and seem complicated.
But it is less difficult than you are thinking right now.
Our advice is to use an Italian wedding planner agency specialising in destination weddings.
For us, the bureaucratic processes for weddings are simple because we do them all the time and we know all the procedures and ways to make them as easy as possible and not stressful for our newlyweds.
Another thing you should know is that many wedding venues in Italy are licensed to perform legal weddings so you will not need to have the ceremony in one of the halls provided by the municipality you have chosen for your wedding, and you can plan everything in the same place.
This will save you a lot of time and also some money from your budget.
Discover the perfect wedding venue for you and check if it is licensed for legal weddings.
Download our catalogue now with a selection of wedding venues in Italy that will make your dream come true.
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