Brazilian couple during a trip in Italy for they civil wedding.

Marriage requirements for Brazilian citizens getting married in Italy

Brazilian Citizens Marriage in Italy – Updated Nulla Osta Rules 2025

Our Legal Consultants Manage the Civil Wedding Process for Brazilians in Italy

So, the Central Directorate for Demographic Services of the Ministry of the Interior kicked off 2009 with a bang by releasing Circolare No. 1 on January 8th, 2009, addressing the process for a “Brazilian-Italian marriage.”

This thing tackled the issue of marriage nulla osta that the Brazilian consulate issues to citizens who want to get hitched in Italy, a topic relevant for those searching for “marriage requirements for Brazilians in Italy.”

Now, for a while, a lot of folks who process civil wedding noticed that the nulla osta from the Brazilian consulate didn’t really meet Article 116 of the Italian Civil Code’s requirements, posing a challenge for those looking to “tie the knot in Italy as a Brazilian.”

Basically, it didn’t have marriage annotations on the birth certificate, and it referred to a statement by two people who knew the future spouses and said they had no impediments to tying the knot, a concern for those wanting a “smooth wedding process in Italy.”

But the final sentence was pretty vague and just said that the betrothed had to submit documents to prove they could get married, leaving those interested in “international marriages in Italy” confused.

Obviously, that’s not good enough to prove someone can legally get married in their home country, so civil registrars started rejecting the document, which alarmed couples planning a “Brazilian and Italian wedding ceremony.”

But no worries, both Italian and Brazilian authorities put their heads together and came up with a new “nulla osta” for Brazilian citizens in Italy, simplifying the process for “Brazilians marrying in Italy.”

The Italian Ministry of the Interior thinks it checks all the boxes required by Article 116 of the Civil Code, providing relief to couples planning their “Italian destination wedding.”

At the end of the day, the Ministry is asking Mayors to accept the declarations issued by Brazilian authorities in Italy that conform to the form we will provide you.

They’re also leaving the door open to possibly obtaining a nulla osta issued directly by Brazilian authorities, the so-called cartoriòs, catering to those seeking “legal advice for international marriages.”


The Mayor assists a couple in signing documents during a civil wedding in the Dolomites.

Getting Married in Italy: A Guide for Brazilian Citizens

Italy is one of the most romantic destinations in the world, making it a dream wedding location for many couples.
If you are a Brazilian citizen planning to get married in Italy, there are specific legal requirements and procedures you need to follow to ensure your marriage is legally recognized both in Italy and Brazil. This guide will help you navigate the process smoothly.


Legal Requirements for Brazilian Citizens

To get married in Italy, Brazilian citizens must comply with both Italian and Brazilian legal requirements. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand the necessary procedures:

  1. Declaration for Marriage Purposes
    Brazilian citizens intending to marry in Italy must obtain a “Declaration for Marriage Purposes” (Dichiarazione ai fini matrimonio). This document is crucial as it states that there are no impediments to the marriage according to Brazilian law.
  2. Requesting the Declaration
  • Where to Request: The declaration can be requested at the Brazilian Consulate in Italy or at the Civil Registry Office in Brazil.
  • Required Documents: You will need to present your valid Brazilian passport, birth certificate, and proof of residence. Additionally, a certificate of no impediment (Atestado de Estado Civil) may be required.
  1. Supporting Documentation
    When applying for the Declaration for Marriage Purposes, Brazilian citizens must provide the following documents:
  • Birth Certificate: An extract of the birth certificate issued by the Brazilian Civil Registry Office.
  • Marital Status Certificate: This document must state that there are no records of marriage or any changes in the civil status of the applicant. If applicable, provide the marriage extract with the annotation of divorce or the death certificate of the spouse.
  • Witness Statements: A declaration made by two adult witnesses who know the future spouses and affirm that there are no impediments to the marriage.
  1. Legalization and Translation
    All Brazilian documents must be translated into Italian and legalized. This can be done at the Brazilian Consulate in Italy. Ensure that translations are certified by a sworn translator.
  2. Submitting Documents in Italy
  • Civil Registry Office: Submit your documents to the Civil Registry Office (Ufficio di Stato Civile) in the Italian municipality where you plan to get married. They will verify your documents and register your marriage intention.
  • Publication of Banns: The office will publish the marriage banns (Pubblicazioni di Matrimonio) for a period of at least two weeks. This is a public notice of your intention to marry, required by Italian law.
  1. Marriage Ceremony
    After the banns have been published for the required period, you can proceed with the marriage ceremony. You can choose between a civil or religious ceremony. For a civil ceremony, contact the local town hall (Comune) to book a date.
  2. Post-Marriage Legalization
    After the marriage, obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate (Estratto per Riassunto dell’Atto di Matrimonio) from the Civil Registry Office. This document should be translated and legalized by the Brazilian Consulate to ensure it is recognized in Brazil.

Tips for a Smooth Process

  • Plan Ahead: Start the process well in advance to avoid last-minute complications. It can take several weeks to gather all the required documents and complete the necessary procedures.
  • Seek Professional Assistance: Consider hiring a wedding planner or legal consultant specializing in international marriages. They can help you navigate the legal requirements and ensure all paperwork is correctly completed.
  • Check for Updates: Legal requirements can change, so it’s essential to check for the most recent information from both Italian and Brazilian authorities.

Conclusion

Marrying in Italy is a beautiful experience, and with proper planning and understanding of the legal requirements, Brazilian citizens can make their dream wedding a reality.

Ensure you follow the steps outlined in this guide to have a legally recognized marriage in both Italy and Brazil.

For further assistance, feel free to contact our team of consultants who specialize in helping foreign couples get married in Italy with full recognition in their home countries.

By following this comprehensive guide, Brazilian citizens can enjoy a seamless wedding experience in the enchanting land of Italy. If you have any questions or need additional support, our team is here to help you every step of the way.


Who will be your Legal Counselors In Italy?

Law firm for marriage in Italy.

Due to our experience in law firms and the foreign offices of the Italian public administration, we gained significant expertise in Consular affairs, and we are trained to solve the most complicated procedure such as:

1) Nulla osta process, legalization procedure, Court hearings for the refusal of the town hall when there documents missing , legal translation, apostille procedure, emergency procedure for legalization.

2) Same-sex couples that want to celebrate a civil union in Italy as in their country the union is forbidden;

3) Couples that come from countries where divorce is not allowed;

4) Italians living abroad registered at AIRE that need to recover their document to start the marriage banns in the Italian Consulate;

5) Assistance with people that come from countries that do not release the nulla osta;

6) American and Australian couples who needs assistance with “atto notorio” in an Italian Court or the Italian Consulate in the USA or Australia.

7) People with refugee status who have requested asylum in Italy.

Legal counselors for civil wedding in Italy

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Most couples spend weeks figuring out which documents they need, which authorities to contact, and in what order. We’ve done this for couples from 40+ countries. Tell us your nationalities — we’ll tell you exactly what’s needed.