Getting Married in Italy

Quick reference

Step-by-step requirements

Follow these steps in order. Most are completed weeks before travel; the in-country portion typically takes 1-3 days depending on the destination.

1. 1

   Each partner presents a valid passport, an apostilled birth certificate, and a Nulla Osta (statement of no impediment) from their home country's consulate in Italy.

2. 2

   US citizens obtain the Nulla Osta in person at a US consulate in Italy (Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples) — appointment slots fill weeks in advance, so book early.

3. 3

   All foreign documents must be translated into Italian by a certified translator and the translation legalized in Italy.

4. 4

   If either partner is divorced, an apostilled divorce decree (final, not interim) is required; some comuni additionally require a wait period after the divorce.

5. 5

   File the Atto Notorio (sworn affidavit of free status) at the local Tribunale or your home consulate before the wedding.

6. 6

   Two witnesses with valid ID must attend the civil ceremony at the comune.

Documents you'll need

• →Valid passport (6+ months remaining validity)
• →Apostilled and translated birth certificate
• →Nulla Osta from your country's consulate in Italy
• →Apostilled divorce decree (final) if previously married
• →Death certificate of former spouse if widowed (apostilled + translated)

Timeline

Arrive in Italy at least 2-3 business days before the ceremony. Many couples arrive a week early to allow buffer for the Nulla Osta consular appointment and any document translation. The comune issues the marriage certificate same-day after the ceremony.

Cost breakdown

Legal costs typically run €200-€450 (about $220-$500 USD), covering apostille and translation (~$80-$150 per document), Nulla Osta consular fee ($50), Italian sworn translation ($100-$200), and the comune filing fee ($50-$100). Excludes wedding coordinator fees, which most couples engage for the paperwork orchestration alone.

Already married? Symbolic ceremony option

Couples who want a Tuscan villa or Amalfi Coast wedding without the consular paperwork legalize at home and host a fully symbolic ceremony in Italy. The visual and emotional experience is identical; no Italian civil registry interaction is required.

Same-sex marriage recognition

Italy recognizes same-sex civil unions (unioni civili) under the Cirinnà law of 2016 with most of the legal effects of marriage. Italy does not perform same-sex civil marriage; couples seeking a marriage certificate typically marry in their home country first and host a symbolic ceremony in Italy.