We have extensive expertise in International Marriage Law & Ecclesiastical Affairs.
In Italy, there are three types of marriage: civil, religious, and the so-called “matrimonio concordatario.”
Civil marriage is a legal union between two individuals, while religious marriage is performed under specific faith-based regulations.
👉 Important Note: For Catholic weddings, the Church allows a Catholic to marry an atheist, but specific conditions apply.
💍 Civil Marriage in Italy – What You Need to Know
Civil marriage is the most common type of marriage in Italy. It is:
✔ A legally recognized union between two people.
✔ Available to individuals over 18 years old (or 16 with parental consent).
✔ Held at the Italian comune (town hall) chosen by the couple.
⛪ Religious Marriage in Italy – Rules & Process
Religious marriage is a faith-based ceremony conducted by an authorized minister. It can take place in:
✔ Churches
✔ Synagogues
✔ Other places of worship
However, for religious weddings to be legally recognized in Italy, couples must meet the requirements of their chosen faith.
📜 Legal Documents Required for Foreigners Marrying in Italy
If you’re a foreign citizen, you will need to obtain:
✔ Nulla Osta – A document confirming there are no legal impediments to the marriage.
✔ Atto Notorio – A sworn affidavit required for American or Australian citizens.
💡 Alternative Option: If you’re American or Australian, you can obtain your Atto Notorio directly in Italy with our assistance, without needing extra documents—only your passport is required!
👉 Thanks to our connections with Italian Courts, we can ensure a faster and smoother process for obtaining your Atto Notorio.
🏛️ Legalization of Your Marriage Documents
To be valid in Italy, the Nulla Osta or Affidavit must be legalized at the Prefettura.
✔ Handled by us without your presence or a power of attorney.
✔ Ensures recognition by the Italian town hall where you plan to get married.
✝ Matrimonio Concordatario – The Special Religious & Civil Marriage
The Matrimonio Concordatario is a special type of wedding recognized by both the Catholic Church and the Italian government.
✔ Celebrated by a Catholic priest, who also acts as a public official.
✔ Legally valid under both religious and civil law.
✔ Both partners must be Catholic and meet the Church’s requirements.
Combining a Religious and Civil Marriage in Italy
To have a legally recognized religious ceremony in Italy, you’ll need:
✔ A Nulla Osta or Affidavit from your consulate.
✔ An Atto Notorio (required for American or Australian citizens).
✔ Legalization at the Prefettura for the documents to be officially recognized.
These documents will be submitted by us to the town hall responsible for the church where your wedding will take place. The town hall will issue a power of attorney to the priest, allowing him to act as a civil officer for the marriage.
Religious Requirements
For the Church part, your parish priest in your home country will collect the following:
✔ Baptism certificate
✔ Confirmation certificate
✔ Proof of completion of a marriage preparation course
✔ Any other documents required by your Diocese
Note: According to Catholic law, if your partner is not baptized or belongs to another faith, you can still get married in the Church. However, you must inform your parish priest.
Once your parish priest has initiated the procedure, he will request a Nihil Obstat from your bishop—this is the formal permission for you to marry in an Italian Diocese.
Your Diocese will then send all the required Church documents (and sometimes even civil ones) to the corresponding Diocese in Italy.
📌 Key Takeaways for Foreigners Getting Married in Italy
✔ Start planning early – Italian bureaucracy can take time!
✔ Consult a lawyer with consular expertise – Our legal team ensures compliance with Italian and international marriage laws.
✔ Secure the correct documents – Avoid delays by ensuring your paperwork is accurate and legalized.
🎯 Need assistance with your Italian wedding legalities? We’re here to help! Contact us for a personalized consultation.
Written by Alessandro Pirrò
Alessandro is a former legal advisor to the Italian Government and has worked with top law firms in Rome, focusing on international marriage and recognition abroad. He now supports foreign couples getting legally married in Italy, offering expert guidance on paperwork, consular requirements and legal recognition in their home country.
Who will be your Legal Counselor in Italy?
Legal advisors for your Civil and Catholic Wedding in Italy
With extensive experience in law firms, Italian public administration, and foreign offices, we have developed a strong expertise in Consular and Ecclesiastical Affairs.
We specialize in international marriages, handling complex legal procedures with efficiency and precision. Our legal team is also highly experienced in managing:
✔ Inter-diocesan relations for couples from different countries.
✔ Ecclesiastical affairs related to international marriages.
✔ The Matrimonio Concordatario, ensuring a seamless combination of civil and Catholic wedding rites in a single church ceremony.
📜 Legal Services for Foreigners Marrying in Italy
We provide comprehensive assistance for all legal aspects of marriage, including:
✔ Marriage Nulla Osta Process – Obtaining and legalizing the Nulla Osta, ensuring compliance with Italian and international laws.
✔ Legalization & Apostille Procedures – Facilitating document authentication for civil and religious weddings.
✔ Court Hearings for Marriage Application Refusals – Supporting couples when a town hall rejects their marriage application due to missing documents.
✔ Legal Translations – Certified translations for all required civil and religious marriage documents.
✔ Emergency Procedures for Legalization – Expedited handling of urgent cases requiring immediate legalization of marriage paperwork.
🇺🇸 🇦🇺 Assistance for American & Australian Couples
We provide specialized legal support for American and Australian couples who require the Atto Notorio, which can be issued either:
✔ At an Italian Court (fast-track service with our assistance).
✔ At the Italian Consulate in the USA or Australia (self-managed).
Regardless of the option you choose, we ensure a smooth and stress-free process.
📌 Specialized Support for Unique Marriage Cases
✔ Couples from countries where divorce is not allowed – Navigating complex legal challenges.
✔ Italians living abroad (A.I.R.E. registered) – Recovering documents to start marriage banns at the Italian Consulate.
✔ Assistance for people from countries that do not issue a Nulla Osta – Finding alternative legal solutions for marriage approval.
✔ People with refugee status – Legal assistance for asylum seekers wishing to marry in Italy.
For any additional inquiries, visit our FAQ section. 🎯
