Weddings on Request

Katia Amore of Love Sicily takes us through your enquiries about getting married in Italy.

Q:What documentation is required for a valid wedding in Italy?

A: Before celebrating a wedding in Italy, British nationals require a Certificate on No Impediment (Nulla Osta) that is released by the responsible British Consulate. This can be obtained in the following ways:

- By residence in the consular district in Italy for 21 days immediately preceding the giving of notice of marriage and the posting of this notice of marriage in the Consulate for a further 21 clear days. If no impediment is shown to exist at the end of this period, the Consulate will issue a
certificate to each party.

- If both parties are resident in the UK they require a Certificate of No Impediment issues by a UK registrar. British nationals also need to produce the following documents to the responsible British Consulate in Italy:

(a) a long-form birth certificate (showing names of parents)

(b) passport

(c) if resident in UK : a certificate of no impediment issued by a UK
registrar.

(d) in cases where the name on the birth certificate differs from the one
absolute of divorce, or deed-poll showing change of name (the originals
which will be returned to you).
(e) please note that according to Italian law a divorced woman cannot remarry
unless 300 days have passed from the date of the decree absolute.
The information can be sent by recorded mail to the British Consulate along
with a handling fee of 137 euro and the necessary funds to return the
documentation by recorded mail. The Certificate of No Impediment along with
passports (and in some cases birth certificates) must then be taken to the
town hall in Italy responsible for your wedding. The local town halls
typically only require two to three days before the wedding to handle the
documentation.

Q:Is a marriage in Italy valid all over the world?

A: A wedding between two foreigners neither of whom is resident in Italy is called a ‘matrimonio di transito’ – ‘transit wedding’and is recognised all over the world. The local town hall supplies you with dual-language copies of the legal wedding certificate, which can also be used to register the
wedding with your own local registry office.

Q:Where can I get married in Italy?

A: Marriages in Italy are only valid if performed in legally recognised locations. These, in general, are just town halls and churches, although some other locations may have been recognised in some parts of Italy.You will need to talk to the local town hall to find out what other locations are available.
For a wedding in a church you need to talk to the local priest to arrange the date and the exchange of documents between the town hall and church. Catholic priests will typically also require some evidence that you went through a wedding preparation course, which could be as simple as a signed letter from your local Catholic church in the UK.

Q:Do I need an interpreter at the ceremony?

A: Yes. An officially recognised interpreter is required at the Ceremony even if you feel confident with your level of Italian.

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