Rhiannon Hendricks
Italy is a popular destination for weddings, with its stunning scenery, food, and culture. Civil weddings, Catholic weddings, and religious weddings from all faiths are recognised as legally binding in Italy. However, there are certain legal requirements that must be met, and these vary depending on the type of wedding and the nationality of those getting married. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy banned private parties and limited the number of guests at weddings to curb the spread of the virus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of weddings for non-residents | Yes, non-residents can get married in Italy |
| Types of marriage recognised | Civil and religious |
| Civil marriage locations | Local town hall or one of the venues approved by them, including historical places such as medieval castles, palaces, public gardens, and villas |
| Civil marriage officiants | Mayor or civil registrar |
| Civil marriage language | Italian |
| Civil marriage requirements | Two witnesses and an interpreter |
| Civil marriage documents | Marriage licence, certificate of no impediment (CNI), and other documents based on citizenship |
| Catholic marriage documents | Atto Notorio (sworn affidavit) |
| Catholic marriage requirements | Both partners must be single, legally divorced or widowed; bride and groom mustn't be relatives; woman divorced less than 300 days before the wedding must provide a non-pregnancy certificate |
| Other religious ceremonies | Allowed but require a civil ceremony first for legal recognition |
| Same-sex relationships | Recognised as civil unions, granting similar rights to marriage |
| Wedding costs | Variable, depending on scale and details |
| COVID-19 restrictions | Limited number of guests |
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What You'll Learn
Italy recognises civil and religious weddings
The process for a civil wedding involves complex bureaucracy and paperwork, and it is recommended to hire a professional to help with this. The cost of a civil wedding ranges from €3,000 to €3,500, including town hall fees.
For a Catholic wedding, specific requirements must be met, and the couple must comply with the rules of the Catholic Church. At least one member of the couple must be Catholic, and both must be at least 18 years old. If not, parental consent must be provided in writing. The couple must submit a declaration of intent to marry to the local marriage office of the city where the ceremony will be held. The processing time for Catholic wedding documents for non-Italian nationals is typically two to three months. It is recommended that couples get civilly married before the religious ceremony to avoid the hassle of preparing both sets of documents.
Other religious weddings are also recognised in Italy, including Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu ceremonies. For non-Catholic religious weddings, a civil ceremony must be held first for the union to be legal.
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Requirements for non-residents and foreigners
Italy recognises civil and religious marriages, including same-sex civil unions. While civil ceremonies are legally binding, religious weddings—except Catholic ceremonies—require a civil ceremony to be deemed legally binding.
To get married in Italy as a foreigner or non-resident, you must be single, legally divorced, or widowed. If the bride has been divorced within the last 300 days, she must provide a non-pregnancy certificate to the local court. Both parties must be at least 18 years old, or have written parental consent.
You must submit a declaration of intent to marry to the local marriage office of the city where the ceremony will be held. Once processed, you will receive an official invitation to set the date of your wedding. If both parties are non-residents, they must sign a sworn declaration confirming no legal impediments to the marriage. This typically occurs 1-2 days before the wedding at the town hall.
You will need to obtain a Nulla Osta, which confirms there is no impediment to the marriage. This can be issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, the British Embassy in Rome, or the foreign affairs office in Den Haag, depending on your nationality. You must apply for the Nulla Osta at least four but no more than six months before the wedding date.
For a Catholic wedding, you will need to allow two to six months to complete the documentation requirements. You must submit the documents to the local marriage office in Italy at least seven weeks before your wedding date.
All documents must be translated into Italian and legalised. Some countries require an Apostille or consular authentication. You must have two witnesses and an interpreter present at the wedding.
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Catholic weddings and requirements
Italy is a popular destination for weddings, with its plethora of wonderful venues providing an epic and memorable experience. Civil weddings, Catholic weddings, and religious weddings from all faiths are recognised as legally binding in Italy.
For a Catholic wedding in Italy, at least one member of the couple must be Catholic. If one spouse is not Catholic, a "Permission of mixed religion" document is required, testifying that the wedding can be performed by the Italian church. This document must be issued by the local bishop and sealed or stamped by the Bishop's Parish office. The non-Catholic spouse will need their baptism certificate to obtain this document.
Requirements:
The Italian Curia (Archdiocese) requires proof that your local priest knows you and allows your wedding in Italy. This document must be written on the letterhead paper of your Parish and signed by your priest, confirming that both spouses are active in the Catholic Church and intend to have a religious blessing in Italy. It must also state that you have completed the Pre-Cana Classes and include the certificate.
Additionally, a prenuptial enquiry form, a prenuptial investigation questionnaire, must be filled out with your priest and signed and stamped by your local Bishop's office. This is to be submitted to the Italian Curia, along with other necessary documents, at least two months before the wedding date.
Other Documents:
Depending on your nationality, other documents may be required, such as an Atto Notorio (for US, Australian, and Canadian citizens), birth certificates, and valid identity documents. It is important to start gathering these documents early, as obtaining them can take several months.
Civil Ceremony Requirements:
In Italy, a civil ceremony must precede a religious ceremony for the union to be legal. This involves making a declaration of intent to marry before the Civil Registrar (Ufficiale dello Stato Civile) at the Town Hall (Comune) of the Italian town where the marriage will take place. An interpreter may be required if neither spouse speaks Italian.
Planning:
It is recommended to plan well in advance, allowing at least six months to obtain the necessary documents and complete the required procedures. An experienced wedding planner can be invaluable in navigating the process and ensuring a smooth and memorable wedding experience in Italy.
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Wedding locations and venues
Italy offers a plethora of wedding locations and venues, from luxurious villas to ancient castles. Civil weddings, Catholic weddings, and religious weddings from all faiths are legally recognized in Italy.
Civil ceremonies can be held in any officially licensed location approved by the Italian authorities, including villas, palaces, town halls, public gardens, and outdoor spaces. These ceremonies are performed by the local mayor or another government official, and translators can be provided.
For Catholic weddings, you must comply with the requirements of the Catholic Church, which are standard worldwide. It is recommended to contact your local parish and the parish in Italy to obtain a list of requirements and instructions.
If you are considering a non-Catholic religious ceremony, you must first hold a civil ceremony for your marriage to be legally recognized in Italy.
Popular wedding destinations in Italy include Tuscany, with its picturesque vineyards and rustic ambiance; the Amalfi Coast, known for its stunning ocean backdrop and panoramic hotels; and Lake Como, featuring elegant villas and luxurious hotels.
For those seeking a more urban setting, Milan, Florence, and Rome offer stylish hotels and residences, while historic venues can be found in cultural hubs such as Venice, Florence, and Rome.
Italy truly offers a diverse range of wedding locations and venues to suit every taste and preference. Whether you dream of a rustic vineyard ceremony or an elegant villa celebration, Italy has something truly special to offer.
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COVID-19 restrictions
As of May 2022, Italy has eased many of its COVID-19 restrictions, including those regarding the Green Pass and masks. The basic Green Pass is no longer required, and the Super Green Pass will only remain in force until the end of the year for workers in the health sector and long-term care facilities. The vaccination mandate will remain in force until June 15 for teachers, school staff, law enforcement, and all citizens aged 50 and over. After this date, only doctors and workers in the health sector will be required to be vaccinated.
From March 10, private gatherings linked to civic or religious ceremonies, including weddings, will be allowed without the need for a Green Pass. However, participants must comply with safety protocols regarding hygiene and spacing, and the use of personal protective equipment is encouraged. It is important to note that these rules are subject to change, and it is recommended to check for the most up-to-date information before planning any events.
Previously, in June 2021, the Italian government allowed weddings to take place in the yellow zone, with participants required to have a Green Pass and comply with protocols to prevent or reduce the risk of contagion. During the second wave of COVID-19 infections in October 2020, the Italian government imposed restrictions that limited the attendance at weddings and forbade public events.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Italy allows both civil and religious weddings.
Italy recognises civil and Catholic weddings as legally binding. All other religious weddings, except Catholic, require a civil ceremony to be deemed legally binding.
Civil ceremonies can take place in locations approved by the Italian authorities, including villas, castles, town halls and public gardens. The ceremony is performed by the local mayor or another government official and can be translated.
For a Catholic wedding, both individuals must be at least 18 years old. If not, parental consent must be obtained in writing. A declaration of intent to marry must be submitted to the local marriage office of the city where the ceremony will be held. Non-Italian residents and nationals should allocate two to six months for the processing of documents.
All religious weddings in Italy, except Catholic, require a civil ceremony to be legally binding. A mixed-religion wedding is only allowed if the Parish Bishop approves.
