Italy is one of the world’s most popular wedding destinations, and for good reason. Whether you are an American marrying an Italian citizen, two Americans choosing Italy for your ceremony, or a resident formalizing a relationship, Italy offers stunning venues and a well-established legal framework for marriage. This guide covers the legal requirements, types of ceremonies, required documents, and practical steps for getting married in Italy.
Types of Marriage in Italy
Italy recognizes three types of legally valid marriage, plus symbolic ceremonies that have no legal effect.
Civil Marriage (Matrimonio Civile)
A civil ceremony is performed by the mayor (Sindaco) or a delegated municipal official at the comune (town hall) or an approved venue. Civil marriage is the most straightforward option for foreigners and the only option for interfaith couples, non-religious couples, or same-sex couples (who marry through unione civile). The ceremony is conducted in Italian unless the officiant speaks another language or a translator is present. Civil ceremonies can take place at the town hall or, in many comuni, at approved external locations such as villas, castles, and gardens that have been registered as civil ceremony venues.
Religious Marriage (Matrimonio Concordatario)
A Catholic wedding ceremony performed in a Catholic church is automatically recognized by the Italian state under the 1984 Accordo di Villa Madama (which revised the 1929 Lateran Pacts). The priest acts as both religious officiant and civil registrar. The marriage is recorded directly in the civil registry without a separate civil ceremony. For non-Catholic religious ceremonies, Italy recognizes marriages performed by religious denominations that have signed an intesa (bilateral agreement) with the Italian state. These include Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Orthodox, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and several other denominations. Marriages performed by denominations without an intesa (including most Islamic ceremonies) are not automatically civilly recognized. A separate civil ceremony is required.
Civil Union (Unione Civile)
Since the Legge Cirinna (Law 76/2016), same-sex couples can enter a unione civile, which provides nearly all the legal rights of marriage (inheritance, healthcare decisions, pension rights, property, next-of-kin status). The ceremony is performed at the comune by the mayor or delegate. For more details, see our guide on LGBTQ+ rights in Italy.
Symbolic Ceremony
A symbolic ceremony has no legal standing in Italy. No paperwork is required, and there are no restrictions on venue, officiant, or format. Many couples who are already legally married in their home country choose a symbolic celebration in Italy with family and friends at their dream venue.
Legal Requirements for Americans
Documents Required
The documentation requirements are the most complex part of getting married in Italy. Start gathering documents at least 3 to 4 months before your planned date.
Valid passport: Current and valid for the duration of your stay.
Birth certificate: A certified copy (not a photocopy) from the vital records office of your birth state. Must be recent (issued within the last 6 months is safest, though requirements vary by comune).
Atto Notorio or Nulla Osta al Matrimonio: This is the critical document. Americans need a sworn declaration (atto notorio) or certificate of no impediment (nulla osta) confirming they are legally free to marry. The U.S. does not issue a centralized “single status” certificate, so the process involves signing an affidavit at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Italy (Rome or other locations). The Embassy charges a fee (approximately USD 50) for notarizing the affidavit. Some comuni require the affidavit to be further validated by the local Prefettura or Procura della Repubblica (prosecutor’s office).
Divorce decree or death certificate: If previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or, if widowed, the former spouse’s death certificate. Must be apostilled and translated.
Apostille: All U.S. documents (birth certificate, divorce decree, etc.) must bear an Apostille from the U.S. Secretary of State (for federal documents) or the Secretary of State of the issuing state. The Apostille authenticates the document for international use under the Hague Convention.
Italian translation: All documents must be translated into Italian by a certified translator. The translation must be attached to the original document and may need to be certified (asseverata) at an Italian court (Tribunale).
Witnesses: Two witnesses (minimum) are required for both civil and religious ceremonies. Witnesses must be at least 18 and present valid identification.
The Pubblicazioni (Banns)
Italian law requires pubblicazioni di matrimonio (marriage banns): a public announcement of the intended marriage posted at the comune for at least 8 consecutive days (including 2 Sundays). The pubblicazioni cannot begin until all required documents have been submitted and accepted by the comune. After the 8-day posting period, the marriage can take place within 180 days. Plan accordingly: submit documents to the comune at least 2 to 3 weeks before your desired ceremony date.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Gather and prepare documents (3 to 4 months before). Obtain certified copies of birth certificates, divorce decrees, or death certificates. Get Apostilles from the appropriate U.S. state. Have documents translated into Italian by a certified translator.
Step 2: Contact the comune (2 to 3 months before). Reach out to the Ufficio di Stato Civile (Civil Status Office) of the comune where you plan to marry. Confirm their specific document requirements (these vary by municipality). Confirm venue availability and ceremony logistics.
Step 3: U.S. Embassy affidavit (after arriving in Italy). Schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to sign the affidavit of eligibility to marry. Bring your passport and, if applicable, divorce decree or death certificate.
Step 4: Submit documents to the comune. Present all documents (apostilled, translated, plus Embassy affidavit) to the Ufficio di Stato Civile. The comune reviews the documents and initiates the pubblicazioni.
Step 5: Pubblicazioni period (minimum 8 days). The marriage banns are publicly posted.
Step 6: Ceremony. After the pubblicazioni period, the ceremony takes place at the scheduled date, time, and venue.
Step 7: Marriage certificate. The comune issues the atto di matrimonio (marriage certificate), which is recorded in the civil registry. Request certified copies (copie integrali) for use in registering the marriage in the U.S.
Registering Your Italian Marriage in the U.S.
An Italian marriage is legally valid in the U.S. without additional registration, under the principle of lex loci celebrationis (law of the place of celebration). However, to use the marriage for U.S. purposes (tax filing, name change, insurance, benefits), you will typically need a certified copy of the Italian atto di matrimonio with an Apostille from the Italian Prefettura, and an English translation certified by a translator. Some U.S. states may have additional requirements for recording foreign marriages.
Destination Weddings: Practical Considerations
Venues
Italy offers extraordinary venue options: historic town halls with frescoed rooms, medieval castles, Renaissance villas, lakeside gardens, coastal terraces, and vineyards. For civil ceremonies, the venue must be either the comune town hall or a location officially registered for civil ceremonies by that municipality. Not every beautiful villa or hotel is automatically approved. Check with the comune and venue in advance.
Wedding Planners
For destination weddings, an experienced Italian wedding planner familiar with local bureaucracy is highly recommended. Planners handle venue coordination, vendor management (catering, flowers, photography, music), document logistics and comune liaison, translation services, and guest accommodation and transport. Budget EUR 3,000 to EUR 15,000+ for comprehensive planning services, depending on scope.
Costs
Civil ceremony fees at the comune are modest (EUR 200 to EUR 600 for non-residents, varying by municipality). Religious ceremony costs vary (church offerings typically EUR 300 to EUR 1,000+). Total destination wedding costs in Italy range widely: intimate ceremonies can be done for EUR 5,000 to EUR 15,000, while luxury weddings at premium venues easily reach EUR 50,000 to EUR 200,000+.
Guest Visas
American guests do not need a visa for stays under 90 days (Schengen area rules). For guests from countries requiring Schengen visas, provide a wedding invitation letter to support their visa application.
Marriage and Italian Citizenship
Marrying an Italian citizen does not automatically grant Italian citizenship. However, it creates a pathway: after 2 years of marriage while legally resident in Italy (or 3 years if residing abroad, halved if there are children), the non-Italian spouse can apply for citizenship by marriage (cittadinanza per matrimonio). The application is submitted to the Prefettura (if in Italy) or the Italian consulate (if abroad). Processing times vary widely (1 to 4 years). For information on citizenship through ancestry rather than marriage, see our citizenship by descent guide.
Marriage and the Comune for Citizenship by Descent Applicants
If you are pursuing Italian citizenship by descent and plan to marry in Italy, coordinate timing carefully. If you marry before your citizenship is recognized, you marry as a U.S. citizen (requiring all the foreign documentation described above). If you wait until after citizenship recognition, you marry as an Italian citizen, which significantly simplifies the paperwork. Discuss timing with your citizenship consultant and the comune.
Practical Tips
Start the document process early. Apostilles, translations, and comune reviews take longer than expected. Contact your specific comune directly to confirm their exact requirements. Procedures vary between municipalities, and some are more flexible than others. Book your U.S. Embassy appointment well in advance, especially during wedding season (May through October). If either party does not speak Italian, arrange for a certified interpreter to be present at the ceremony (some comuni require this formally). For a family visa based on marriage to an Italian citizen, the marriage certificate is a key supporting document. Keep multiple certified copies of all documents. You will need them for various registrations in both Italy and the U.S.