Getting married in Italy is easier than it has ever been. Civil ceremonies in Italy last about 20 minutes, however, many venues allow couples to stay a little longer to take photographs. The Italian civil code and traditional vows are read out in Italian. They cannot be read by the celebrant in any other language, which means that if one or both of you do not speak Italian fluently then by Italian law an interpreter is required.
The locations where couples can get married are restricted to buildings and structures that are managed by the local municipality. These buildings are varied and remarkable, such as, palaces, villas and castles,. If a couple wishes to have only a symbolic ceremony they can marry in a different location with the permission of the owner. Locations can be adjusted to your needs with flowers and music creating that dream wedding setting.
In Italy when a woman gets married she does not take her husband’s name and keeps her surname. This means that when the bride signs the Act of Marriage it must be done in her maiden name.
Two witnesses are required who need to be over 18.
You will receive a multi-lingual marriage certificate which will need to be registered when you return home.
The locations where couples can get married are restricted to buildings and structures that are managed by the local municipality. These buildings are varied and remarkable, such as, palaces, villas and castles,. If a couple wishes to have only a symbolic ceremony they can marry in a different location with the permission of the owner. Locations can be adjusted to your needs with flowers and music creating that dream wedding setting.
In Italy when a woman gets married she does not take her husband’s name and keeps her surname. This means that when the bride signs the Act of Marriage it must be done in her maiden name.
Two witnesses are required who need to be over 18.
You will receive a multi-lingual marriage certificate which will need to be registered when you return home.
What you must remember
The bureaucracy in Italy can be frustrating and confusing. The following procedure may vary from country to country:
- Both bride and groom must be over 18;
- Witnesses are must be over 18. (If you are travelling alone we can provide you with 2 witnesses );
- If women are divorced then 300 days need to have passed (in Italy women can not marry within 300 days of getting divorced);
- All documents are produced within 6 months of the wedding date, if not they have expired and are no longer legal.
- Your passports are valid for 6 months after the date of the marriage.
- An interpreter. (By law if the couple do not speak Italian there must be an interpreter)
- Both bride and groom must be over 18;
- Witnesses are must be over 18. (If you are travelling alone we can provide you with 2 witnesses );
- If women are divorced then 300 days need to have passed (in Italy women can not marry within 300 days of getting divorced);
- All documents are produced within 6 months of the wedding date, if not they have expired and are no longer legal.
- Your passports are valid for 6 months after the date of the marriage.
- An interpreter. (By law if the couple do not speak Italian there must be an interpreter)
Below are a list of the documents and procedures that need to be followed to have a civil ceremony in Italy.
- Certificate of Non Impediment- Couples must go to their local registry office in Britain and publish the Banns. The registry office will release a Certificate of Non Impediment approximately 23 days after publishing your Banns.
- The original, long versions of birth certificates including the names of both parents. This is applicable for both the bride and groom.
- Photocopies of both of your passports. Photocopies must be taken of all pages with writing on them.
- Copies of the witnesses’ passports.
- If you are divorced - the original Divorce Decree Absolute and the original marriage certificate from your previous marriage.
- If you are widowed - the original Death Certificate and the original marriage certificate from your previous marriage.
If either of you have changed your names - the original Deed Poll.
- Certificate of Non Impediment- Couples must go to their local registry office in Britain and publish the Banns. The registry office will release a Certificate of Non Impediment approximately 23 days after publishing your Banns.
- The original, long versions of birth certificates including the names of both parents. This is applicable for both the bride and groom.
- Photocopies of both of your passports. Photocopies must be taken of all pages with writing on them.
- Copies of the witnesses’ passports.
- If you are divorced - the original Divorce Decree Absolute and the original marriage certificate from your previous marriage.
- If you are widowed - the original Death Certificate and the original marriage certificate from your previous marriage.
If either of you have changed your names - the original Deed Poll.