Marrige of British Nationals in Italy
The following information is provided as a general guideline for persons wishing to get married in Italy. Since the procedures vary from city hall to city hall, we suggest to call the Vital Statistics Office (Ufficio Stato Civile) of the City Hall where you plan to marry since they may not all be necessary.
1. The guidance below applies only to couples neither of whom has the capacity, under the laws of their respective domiciles, to take a second spouse during the subsistence of a previous marriage.
2. Marriages cannot be celebrated at British Consulates in Italy. Enquiries about religious marriages should be made direct to the minister of religion of the particular denomination concerned. The minister may only bless the marriage once the civil ceremony has been celebrated.
3. Before the marriage of a British national may be celebrated
in Italy, the authorities normally require a 'Certificate
of No Impediment' (Nulla Osta) to be produced. This certificate
may be obtained in the following ways:
a. Where both parties to the marriage are
British nationals
by residence in the Consular district for 21 clear days immediately
preceding the giving of the notice of marriage, and the posting
of this notice of marriage in the Consulate for a further
21 clear days. If no impediment is shown to exist at the end
of this period, the Consulate will issue a certificate to
each party;
b. Where both parties are British nationals
but only one can fulfil the
residence qualification above
the other party must post notice
of marriage where he is resident. Abroad this will be the
British Consular office covering the district where the applicant
is residing. (In Commonwealth countries however, a Consular
officer at a British High Commission cannot accept notice.
-Applicants should approach the relevant local authorities.)
In the United Kingdom it will be the Superintending Registrar
in the district of residence. The Consular officer in whose
district the marriage is to take place will issue the 'Certificates
of no Impediment' required by the local authorities.
c. Where both parties are British nationals
and both are resident in the United Kingdom
where both parties are resident in the U.K. they may give
notice to a U.K. Superintending Registrar in the district
where they are resident. The Consular office in whose district
the marriage is to take place will issue the 'Certificates
of no Impediment' required by the local authorities,
d. Where a British national is marrying a
non-British national, and resides in Italy
as in paragraph 3 (a)
e. Where a British national is marrying a
non-British national, and resides in the U.K. (except Scotland)
as in paragraph 3 (b) - but see also paragraph (f). Non-British
nationals should contact their Embassy or Consular Representative
for information.
f. Where a British national is marrying an
Irish citizen and resides in the U.K.
the British national must first contact Nationality and Passports
Section of Consular Division in London for guidance - see
paragraph 9.
4. Nationals of Commonwealth countries should apply to their own representatives for information. If they are not represented in Italy, they should seek help from a British Consular officer.
5. British nationals requiring certificates of no impediment
should produce the following documents:
• Full birth certificate (showing parents' names)
• British Passport (copy of passport if you are applying
from outside of Italy)
• Consent of parent or guardian when under the age of
18
• Evidence of termination of any previous marriage of
both parties, if applicable, (i.e. death certificate of divorce
decree absolute) together with the previous marriage certificate.
Under Italian law a female who has been divorced and wishes
to re-marry in Italy cannot re-marry until 300 days have passed
from the date of her divorce. It is possible, however, to
apply for a dispensation to this through the 'Tribunale Civile'.
Further information should be obtained from the 'Ufficio Matrimonio'
of the 'Anagrafe' (Town Hall) of the area where the marriage
is to take place.
• 'Certificato di stato libero' of the other party,
if an Italian national.
• In cases where the name on the birth certificate differs
from the one on the passport, (except following marriage),
deed-poll showing change of name.
6. The Italian authorities normally require additional notice (following production of the Consular certificate of no impediment) to include two Sundays. They may, however, be prepared to shorten this time if neither party is an Italian citizen.
7. Where only one party to the marriage is a British national, the other would be required if not Italian, to produce to the Italian authorities a Certificate of no impediment from his or her own Consular authority or, if Italian, to observe the formalities required by Italian law for the marriage of two Italian citizens. In this case, information should be obtained from the Town Hall where the marriage is to take place.
8. The following fees, payable in Euro, are chargeable in
Italy under the Consular Fees Order 2007:
Receiving a Notice of Intended Marriage: see fees chart
Issuing a Consular Certificate of No Impediment: see fees
chart
(There is also a postage fee for the return of your documents,
please see fees chart)
The Italian authorities performing the marriage also make
certain charges.
more informations and fees chart at: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/
