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Requirements for getting married in Italy as a UK citizen
Italy is one of the most popular places to marry, thanks to its reputation as a romantic and beautiful country, full of picturesque scenery. However, if you are not an Italian citizen and are marrying an Italian citizen, it is important to gather the correct documents and follow the right process. This can help to prevent any complications and ensure a smooth process - making your day magical.
Here, we look at what documents you will need to get married in Italy, and the processes you will need to follow. We also explain what is required for a Catholic ceremony, how you can obtain Italian dual citizenship through marrying an Italian citizen and how Giambrone can help you. Read on to find out more.
Click on the links below to jump to that section:
Find out what documents you need to prepare when getting married in Italy.
Read what process needs to be carried out when getting married in Italy.
Find out what documents and requirements you need for a Catholic wedding.
Read how you can obtain Italian citizenship if you are marrying an Italian citizen.
We answer common queries on getting married in Italy.
What documents are required to get married in Italy?
In preparation for getting married in Italy, you will need to provide a selection of documents. You will need to procure a sworn affidavit, known in Italian as an Atto Notorio, and documentation to prove your declaration of intent to marry. In order to get these, you must provide birth certificates for both parties, passports, proof of previous marriages and divorce documentation (if applicable) and a certificate of no impediment if you are a UK citizen. As you wait for this, you should ensure that you make a bilingual statutory declaration. These documents and declarations will prove your legal right to marry.
Contact us today for assistance in this process, or find out how we can help.
What process do you need to follow to get married in Italy?
When you are planning to get married in Italy, there are several steps you need to take. In the first instance, you will need to contact your home country’s consulate or embassy in Italy and prepare the Atto Notorio (the sworn affidavit). You will then need to declare your intent to marry; this is an important step whether you are marrying at home or overseas. Finally, it is important to prepare the correct documents depending on which kind of wedding you will have, and ensure that the area you choose to marry in has the appropriate translator/interpreter available for your ceremony.
What is required for a Catholic wedding?
With a Catholic wedding, you will be required to provide all previously mentioned documentation, as well as some specific to your religion. You will need to provide your baptism certificate and confirmation certificates, as well as pre-marriage certification coming from your Pre Cana class. It is also necessary to provide letters from your bishop and priest, allowing you to marry outside of your usual parish if necessary. If entering into a mixed-religion marriage, you will be required to provide proof of approval for this.
Obtaining citizenship through marrying an Italian citizen
If you are marrying an Italian citizen, you may be seeking to apply for citizenship once you have married. However, you will need to go through certain steps in order to do this. You will need to provide a copy of your marriage certificate from the area where your Italian partner is registered with AIRE (Registry of Italian Citizens Residing Abroad).
You will also be required to provide a clean criminal record check and certified copies of many documents, such as your birth certificate, and your Italian partner’s ID card. As the non-Italian spouse, you will be required to prove proficiency in the Italian language, specifically B1 proficiency. It will cost around 250 Euros to apply for citizenship via marrying an Italian citizen, and this must be paid to the Ministero dell’Interno. Proof of this bank transfer is part of your application, so ensure you gather this information.
It is necessary to provide certified translations of all these documents, but the waiting time for your application to be approved is around four months, making this one of the fastest ways of obtaining Italian citizenship.
You can visit our Italian citizenship advice centre for more guidance on this.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of wedding ceremony can you have in Italy?
You will be able to arrange a civil union or a religious ceremony. You can also have a blessing or a ceremony that is only symbolic.
What should I know about wedding ceremonies in Italy?
A civil ceremony will be carried out by a mayor or civil registrar in Italian, with an interpreter present.
Can foreigners get married in Italy?
Yes, nationals from other countries are able to marry in Italy.
What are the rules for getting married in Italy?
There is no legal residency restriction on marrying in Italy, however, you will need to present proof of your identity, alongside the necessary documents. You need to be over eighteen to marry in most cases.
How legal advice can help
When you are considering marrying in Italy, it is important to understand the legal side of this as well as the romantic one. If you are looking to obtain citizenship, it is even more important to be aware of what documents you will need. Seeking expert legal advice is the best way to ensure that this goes smoothly, and Giambrone is well placed to guide you through the process. An international law firm, Giambrone is skilled in both Italian and UK Law, and can help you to obtain citizenship through marriage in the most straightforward way possible, reducing your chances of rejection.
Get in touch to find out how we can help you with this.