HOW TO GET LEGALLY MARRIED IN ITALY
Is it possible to get legally married in Italy?
The short answer is yes, but as a foreigner, the process of a legal binding marriage in Italy generates doubt and questions.
The formalities will include expenses to extra paperwork, a minister and an interpreter.
Therefor, many choose to get legally married before celebrating their wedding abroad with a symbolic ceremony and blessing.
SYMBOLIC CEREMONY & BLESSING
A symbolic ceremony is a blessing of a already legal binding marriage. Many couples choose this solution to save money and time, and to have a ceremony in their own language.
A blessing can be performed most anywhere with a written agreement, with exception of striclty catholic churches and chapels. The blessing can be made by a formal minister (English speaking minister from €1.500), but a symbolic ceremony does not require a celebrant issued by the church or local authorities.
LEGAL BINDING MARRIAGE & CEREMONY
The needed paperwork will be impacted by several factors incl. nationality, place of living and area of wedding.
To get legally married in Italy you will need to fill out a nulla osta, to be legalized/ apostilled and then translated into Italian before the documents are handed over to the local ‘comune’. These papers are valid for 4 months, so make sure not to hand them over/apply more than 4 months prior to your wedding day.
Prior to you wedding day you go to local ’comune’ to swear before witnesses and a translator to legalise the documents. You bring these documents to the minister/officiator to be signed during your ceremony.
The minister brings the signed documents to the ‘comune’ for a final stamp. The documents can either be picked up 1-2 week after the wedding, or send to your home address in a pre-filled envelope.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES
It’s not possible to have a legal binding ceremony in an Italian Catholic church by neither a Catholic nor Protestant, Danish priest, as Danish priests are not authorised in Italy.
In most cases you can have a symbolic ceremony in a catholic church, but this will depend on the specific church.
Still in doubt?
We recommend booking a 30min consultation with legal adviser, Francesca (price €50 to be paid directly). She will talk you through all the documents needed and the formal process of doing it yourselves. She also offer packages to support couples in their wedding paperwork throughout the entire process.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to Rigmor Nikander for further information and relevant contact information.
HELPFUL LINKS
Francesca - guidance and help with legal papers (from €50)
Exclusive weddings - nulla osta and other documents explained
European Union law - further information on required documents
Udenrigsministeriet - generel information in Danish
Rigmor Nikander, Wedding PlannerWritten November 23rd 2022
Edited November 1st 2023
