Best Guide for Australians Getting Married in Italy

Everything Australians Need to Know for a Legal Wedding in Italy

Are you an Australian citizen dreaming of a romantic Italian wedding? If so, pay close attention to the following details. Once you’ve gathered all the necessary documents, make an appointment with your Consulate in Rome.
As you Planner in Italy we will book your appointment to get the issuance of a Nulla Osta and proceed with its legalization with the apostille procedure since Australia signed The Hague Convention.

Making it Official at the Town Hall

To get married in Italy, you need to follow Italian law and regulations. Start by reaching out to the local municipality in the town where you wish to hold the ceremony. Here, you will need to fulfil the requirements of Article 51 of the President of the Republic Decree no. 396 of the year 2000. This refers to:

Legal age and mental capacity
No blood, marital, or adoptive relation between the two individuals
No previous conviction of murder (even if only attempted) against the other’s spouse

Essential Marriage Paperwork for Australians Planning a Legal Wedding in Italy

Navigating the “Atto Notorio”

Australian citizens are also required to present an “Atto Notorio”, a formal declaration signed by each party and four competent witnesses. This declaration asserts there are no legal impediments to the marriage according to Australian law. All witnesses must be at least 18 years old, carry valid photo ID and must not be related to the bride or groom. If you cannot obtain an Atto Notorio in Australia, you can get one from the Tribunale Civile in Italy.

Getting Your “NULLA OSTA” (No Impediment Certificate)

Present the “Atto Notorio” to either the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Australian Consulate in Milan to obtain your “NULLA OSTA”, a mandatory requirement under Italian Law (art. 116, Civil Code).

Organizing Your “Atto Notorio” in Australia (recently rarely applicable)

To organize your “Atto Notorio” in Australia, contact the Consulate at least a month before your travel date and schedule an appointment. Submit all required details at least two weeks before your appointment.

Role of Witnesses in the Italian Wedding Procedure

Ensure your witnesses bring all required details and identification to the appointment. All four witnesses must be present at the appointment.

The Essential Documents for an Atto Notorio

During your appointment, submit the following documents:

Atto Notorio Form
Original full birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Italian
Declaration of Non-Impediment
A valid passport
Proof of residence
If applicable, an apostilled and translated divorce decree

Special Circumstances for Divorced or Widowed Women

Under Article 89 of the Italian Civil Code, if a woman has been divorced or widowed for less than 300 days, she needs specific authorization from an Italian Court to remarry.
This authorization is given after providing a medical report that confirms the woman is not pregnant.

What to Expect on the Wedding Day

On your wedding day, the bride, groom, two witnesses, and an interpreter (if needed) shall attend the ceremony.

Who will be your Family Lawyers and Legal Advisors 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:

Marriage 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.
Immigration law services and consular support for non-EU citizens applying for a Schengen visa.
Family reunification and family cohesion.
Same-sex couples that want to celebrate a civil union in Italy when in their country the union is forbidden.
Couples that come from countries where divorce is not allowed;
Italians living abroadregistered at A.I.R.E. that need to recover their document to start the marriage banns in the Italian Consulate.
Assistance with people that come from countries that do not release the nulla osta.
Americanand Australiancouples who needs assistance with “atto notorio” in an Italian Court or the Italian Consulate in the USA or Australia.
People with refugee status who have requested asylum in Italy.

For all other matters, please visit our FAQ section.

Get Assistance as an Australian citizen getting married in Italy

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Alessandro Pirrò

Alessandro Pirró is an Italian legal consultant exclusively specialised in civil marriages in Italy for foreign nationals and AIRE-registered Italian citizens. He holds a law degree and has professional experience in law firms and the foreign affairs offices of the Italian public administration, where he developed expertise in consular law, administrative law, and private international law. He has assisted couples from more than 40 nationalities through the full legal process for civil marriages in Italy, including Nulla Osta coordination, U.S. Dichiarazione giurata (sworn statement) and Atto Notorio procedures before Italian courts, Prefettura for legalization and Apostille, legal translations (asseverazione e certificazione conformità di traduzione), and matrimonial property regime advice under Article 22 of EU Regulation 2016/1103. Alessandro works directly with Italian Comuni, Prefetture, Italian Embassies and Consulates abroad and foreign Embassies and Consulates in Italy. He is based in Bolzano and operates across all Italian jurisdictions.