How does legalization work for a marriage in Italy

Last update July 2026.

Legalization of Foreign Documents for Use in Italy:

📄 1. Understanding Legalization Requirements for Documents Used in Italy or Abroad

Foreign public acts or documents to be enforced in Italy must, as a rule, be legalized (or apostilled) and translated into Italian.

This guide explains the full process, when legalization is required, and how translation rules apply under different legal frameworks.

🛂 2. Why Legalize a Foreign Document in Italy

For a public act or document from a foreign country to be enforceable in Italy, it must be legalized (or apostilled).

Legalization (or apostille) verifies that the foreign act complies with the legislation of its country of origin and that it was issued by the competent foreign authority.

🔎 Note: Legalization does not certify the accuracy of the document’s content — only its authenticity.

A foreign public act or document is defined as:

• One formed and issued by competent authorities in the country of origin.
• One issued by diplomatic or consular representatives of a foreign country present in Italy.
• One issued by diplomatic or consular representatives of a foreign country located in another foreign country.

🖋️ 3. What Legalization or Apostille Consists of?

Legalization or apostille involves affixing a stamp on the original document, certifying:

• The legal qualification of the public official who signed the document.
• The authenticity of the signature.

The stamp must include:

• The first and last name of the signer.
• The date and place of legalization (or apostille).
• The full signature of the public official.
• The title and stamp of the issuing office.

🏛️ 4. Where to Legalize a Foreign Document in Italy

The method of legalization depends on who issued the public act or document and where it was issued.

a) Documents Issued by Foreign Diplomatic or Consular Representations in Italy
These must be legalized at the competent Prefettura. (Apostilles are not used in these cases.)

b) Documents Issued by Authorities in the Country of Origin

• If the country is not party to the Hague Convention → Legalization must be done by the Italian diplomatic or consular representation abroad.
• If the country is party to the Hague Convention → An apostille is issued by the designated authority in the country of origin.

c) Documents Covered by the London Convention of 1968
Signatures on documents issued by diplomatic or consular representations of a Contracting Party are exempt from legalization under certain conditions:

• The document is presented in the territory of another Contracting Party.
• The document is presented to diplomatic or consular representatives of another Contracting Party operating in a non-Contracting State.

❎ 5. Exemptions from Legalization and Apostille

Certain international agreements and EU regulations provide exemptions from legalization or apostille.

a) Regulation (EU) 2016/1191
Exempts EU member states from legalization and apostille for specific documents used within the EU, including:

• Birth, death, and life certificates
• Marriage and registered partnership certificates
• Divorce and legal separation certificates
• Filiation, adoption, residence, and citizenship documents
• Criminal record certificates for EU citizens
• Documents related to voting rights in the EU country of residence

b) London Convention of June 7, 1968
As noted earlier, this convention exempts the need for legalization for consular acts between Contracting States.

🌐 6. Translation Rules for Foreign Documents in Italy

Even if a foreign document is legalized or apostilled, it must be translated into Italian unless exempted.

Exemptions from Translation

a) Article 6(1) of EU Regulation 2016/1191
Translation is not required if:

• The document is in an official or accepted language of the receiving Member State.
• The document is accompanied by a standard multilingual form.

b) Multilingual Forms (Vienna Convention, Sept 8, 1976)
Civil status documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) issued in one of the accepted languages (including French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.) are exempt from translation.

c) Multilingual Forms (Munich Convention, Sept 5, 1980)
Certificates of matrimonial capacity are exempt from translation when issued by a participating country and in an accepted language.

📝 7. How to Translate Foreign Documents When Required

If no exemption applies, translation can be completed in three ways:

a) In the Country of Origin

• By official or sworn translators
• Legalized (or apostilled) if required by Italian authorities

b) By Italian Diplomatic or Consular Representatives Abroad

• They can both translate and legalize the documents

c) In Italy

• By consular representatives of the foreign country in Italy (with Prefettura legalization unless exempt)
• Through asseverazione: a sworn translation performed at an Italian Court or by a Justice of the Peace. The translator must declare their fluency and oath before a court clerk.

This process ensures the translated document is legally valid for use in Italy.

🔁 8. Apostille vs Legalization: What’s the Difference?

📊 9. Summary Table of Legalization Scenarios

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.

We will be your 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.
• American and Australian couples who need 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.
  
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