Marriage Nulla Osta for Finnish Citizens – Requirements and Legalization Process
The marriage Nulla Osta issued to Finnish citizens is replaced by the model provided by Circolare 1/2014.
Finland has agreed with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that issuing the equivalent of the so-called “Nulla Osta,” must be requested by the Finnish applicant to the administrative authority in Finland, using the new model conforms to the model provided by the Italian to Circolare 1/2014.
The Finnish administration will release the original certificate, where the applicant has the residency.
The certificate must be legalized through the apostille (Hague Convention) and translated by an official translator in Finland.
Please note that either the translation must be legalized with the apostille.
Please also note that the Finnish consulate in Italy does not play any role in this procedure.
Once we receive the nulla osta from you, we will begin liaising with the town hall where you intend to get married.
The first step is to arrange the official declaration of no impediment (processo verbale di comparizione), confirming that there are no legal obstacles to your marriage.
During this appointment, both parties will declare—before the civil registrar and in the presence of an interpreter—that there is no impediment due to kinship, affinity, adoption, or affiliation, as required under Article 87, numbers 1, 2, and 4 of the Italian Civil Code.
We will also ensure compliance with Articles 85, 86, and 88 of the same code, which cover other potential impediments to marriage.
If neither of you is a resident of Italy, the marriage may be scheduled immediately after this declaration and the completion of the necessary paperwork.
However, if either of you is registered as a resident in Italy, regardless of nationality, the law requires an additional step: the publication of marriage banns (pubblicazioni di matrimonio).
These are public notices displayed by the town hall to confirm that no legal objections exist. The banns must remain posted for eight consecutive days, followed by a three-day waiting period, after which the marriage may be celebrated.
Once all formalities have been completed, your civil ceremony will take place—usually one or two days later—depending on the availability of the Mayor and the administration. The ceremony will be held in the presence of two witnesses of your choice, the interpreter, and the Mayor or their deputy.
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 Advisors for your Civil Wedding 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 procedures such as:
- Marriage Nulla osta process, legalization procedure, Court hearings for the refusal of the town hall when documents are 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 from countries where divorce is not allowed.
- Italians living abroad registered at A.I.R.E. who need to recover their documents to start the marriage banns in the Italian Consulate.
- Assistance for people from countries that do not issue a nulla osta.
- American and Australian couples who need assistance with the “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.
- International divorce cases, including recognition and enforcement of foreign divorce decrees in Italy, legal support for binational couples facing jurisdictional challenges, and assistance in cases involving different legal systems.
For all other matters, please visit our FAQ section.
