There are very many foreigners who they choose Italy as the setting for their wedding . It is not uncommon to see romantic photo walks to Rome, Florence, Venice and other cities of art. Or couples who choose the campaigns of Chianti or le Langhe to pronounce the fateful yes.
There is no doubt therefore that Italy is chosen, both for its artistic and architectural beauties, and for the beauty of its rural landscapes.
Obviously, for a couple who decide to get married in Italy , it is necessary to produce a series of documents ranging, from those needed to celebration and validation of the rite , up to the most common ones used for any Trip abroad .
This article wants to explain precisely what documents are needed for a foreign couple to come and marry in Italy .
The reasons that push couples to get married in Italy
Wedding in Rome
There are many reasons for foreigners to get married in Italy.
Offer yourself the sweet words for the commitment of a lifetime in one of the enchanted places of Italy? Let yourself be embraced by the sea or have, as a panorama, the most visited snow-capped peaks in the world?
Whatever the reasons this has become a dream for many foreigners, to whom the magic of our peninsula manages to make us imagine (and organize) a fairytale wedding .
Indeed, such a choice presents itself to the future spouses as a real dream; the charm of Italy is undeniable.
Art, culture, the incredible beauty of the landscapes and such romantic traditions become an extraordinary stage; the right poetic frame within which to enclose one of the most enchanting memories.
The monuments, the sea, the cities marked by stories and legends: all this can only contribute to give wonderful emotions and, precisely for this reason, with the certainty of making them indelible in the memory.
If you are planning a destination wedding in Italy, I recommend reading my complete guide on how to organize a wedding in Italy for practical tips on locations, seasons, and planning timeline.
The procedure to follow to get married in Italy
Wedding in the countryside of Rome
It is unlikely that future spouses, having taken this decision, will stop at the possibility of granting their wish and they will not be “ four paperwork “to make them desist.
An insurmountable impediment could seem the difficulty of understanding which certifications to produce but, having clear which are the necessary fundamental certificates, the path is actually less problematic and complicated than it seems.
Furthermore, there is also the possibility of relying on specialized agencies or wedding planners who will take care of all the bureaucratic part, leaving the future married couple alone the pleasure of a romantic trip to Italy during which to crown your dream of love .
What are the necessary documents?
Rome Wedding Photo Fori Imperiali
THE documents main serving to get married in Italy they are not many. In fact, the following are required:
- An identity document with international validity (the passport is more than valid)
- The document certifying the birth of the spouses ( birth certificate )
- A document certifying the regularity of the stay in Italy ( card or residence permit for couples from non-EU countries).
- The clearance for marriage , which can be granted by the authorities of the relevant Nation. This authorization can be produced in one’s own country of origin or by the competent Italian consulate. It will be the latter to prove the absence of impediments to proceed.
Important notes for 2026: All foreign documents must be issued no more than 6 months before your wedding date according to Italian law. Additionally, all foreigners must obtain an Italian tax code (codice fiscale) before the ceremony, which you can request at any Italian tax office or consulate.
All documents originating outside Italy must be legalized with an Apostille stamp (for Hague Convention countries) or through consular legalization, then translated into Italian by a certified sworn translator.
Special Rule for Divorced Women
Under Article 89 of the Italian Civil Code, women who have been divorced or widowed must wait at least 300 days after the divorce decree date before they can remarry in Italy. This historical law was designed to prevent confusion about paternity if a child is born shortly after the new marriage.
If your divorce falls within this 300-day window, you have two options: obtain a non-pregnancy certificate (certificato di non gravidanza) from a medical doctor and submit it to the local Italian court for a waiver, or request special authorization from an Italian judge. The rule does not apply if the previous marriage was not consummated.
Many couples in this situation choose to complete the legal ceremony in their home country and have a beautiful symbolic ceremony in Italy instead, which requires no waiting period.
Presentation of documents
Civil Wedding Rome – Piazza del Campidoglio
And if the groom and the bride, she is a foreigner, he is not able to understand even a word of Italian?
They only need to be followed by an interpreter to assist them from delivery of certificates , passing through the publication of holdings , up to wedding celebration , in whatever formula is conceived.
Timeline for arrival in Italy: EU, UK, South African, Canadian, and New Zealand citizens typically need to arrive in Italy only 1-3 working days before the ceremony to complete final formalities. US, Australian, and most other international citizens should plan to arrive 5-7 working days prior to complete all required appointments at their consulate and municipality.
Here’s how to do it, depending on the type of rite to celebrate:
- following the national law of the land of origin, in front of the diplomat or consul of that country (civil ceremony)
- following the Italian law: in front of a registrar in the case of civil marriage (civil ceremony)
- in the presence of a official of the Catholic Church , if the concordat formula (Catholic rite) is chosen
- in the presence of a representative of any religion that is not Catholic but that it is considered as allowed in the Italian State (rite of other religions)
The Publications
In Italy, the celebration of marriage must be preceded by publications made by a civil status officer. The publications remain posted on the consular register for at least 8 days. You can get married after the 3 days following the publication and within the following 180 days.
If you cannot come in person to request the publications, you can appoint a third person using a special power of attorney drawn up on plain paper and bearing a copy of your valid identity documents. If you are not a citizen of the European Union and you are not resident in Italy, your signature must be authenticated. More info on the website of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
Processing times: The complete documentation and publication process typically requires 3-4 months from start to finish. This includes document preparation and apostille (4-6 weeks), submission to the Italian municipality (2-3 weeks processing), and the mandatory 8-day publication period before your ceremony date.
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Other things to organize to get married in Italy
Wedding in Rome – Italy
Planning a wedding in Italy is becoming the favorite habit of citizens from all over the world!
The number of couples who reach the “beautiful country” is constantly increasing exchange rings : Americans, Chinese, Japanese and, in sharp rise, a large number of English.
Often these couples need to be assisted, not only for the production of documents, but also for the organization of the buffet, the preparation of floral decorations and del bouquet of the bride, in choosing one of the best Italian wedding photographers , the engagement of musicians, the reservation of the location and all the rest. The figure you usually join us with is called Wedding planner .
Being myself a wedding photographer with great experience, personally I know some good ones, so if you need this figure, write to me to send you the contacts .
Once the legal paperwork is complete, you will want to capture every moment of your special day with professional photography. Discover more about my destination wedding photography services in Italy, tailored for international couples celebrating their love story.
Civil Wedding in Rome
Almost always, the couple is followed by numerous relatives and friends , so you need to book a hotel where to make them stay . Rooms are often booked in the wedding location itself, as often happens in prestigious places such as Casina Valadier in Rome or the Venetian Palace in Venice .
We just have to appreciate this beautiful trend, aware of the good reputation of our territory combined with the beauty of the places we are proud of. A fairy tale with a happy ending, which will certainly not lack the traditional “ and they lived happily ever after! “
Francesco Russotto
My name is Francesco Russotto and I have always been involved in photography and image. I am a styled wedding photographer reportage , based in Rome and work in all Italy . I carry out wedding and pre-wedding photo shoots, promises of marriage, bachelorette and bachelorette parties, in various styles. If you are looking for a wedding photographer in Italy in Reportage style , do not hesitate to contact me to make a free and no obligation appointment. We will have a nice chat, you will get to know me and decide if I am the right wedding photographer for your wedding.
