Foreign citizens can marry in Italy (even if they are not residents or do not have a residency permit [permesso di soggiorno]) if they are 18 or over and free from previous bonds of marriage.
Minors between 16 and 18 years of age can marry only with the authorization of the Juvenile Court [Tribunale dei minorenni].
The interested parties, who must in any case possess a valid passport, have to apply to the Consular Authorities in their country of origin for a declaration of Nulla Osta, indicating that, on the basis of the local laws, there are no impediments to the marriage.
For declarations relative to citizens of countries outside the EU, the signature of the consular authority must be authenticated by the Prefecture.
Citizens with refugee status can present a declaration issued by the High Commissioner for Refugees of the United Nations (UNHCR) in Rome.
Resident citizens, prior to celebration of the marriage, must request publication of the banns, which serve to announce publicly their intention to marry.
The request must sent to the registrar’s office of the municipality of residence of one of the two spouses, in the presence of two adult witnesses with valid identity documents (in the case of foreign citizens they must possess a residency permit) and are posted for eight consecutive days, also in the municipality of residence of the other interested party (if resident in another municipality, different from that of the citizen who requested publication of the banns of marriage).
Citizens who do not know the Italian language perfectly can be accompanied by an interpreter.
Civil marriages are celebrated at the City Hall before an officer of the registrar’s office, in the presence of two witnesses.
The act of marriage is signed immediately after the ceremony and can be transcribed in the country of origin of the spouses, in accordance with the procedures foreseen in each country.
Religious marriages celebrated by a Catholic priest or minister of a church recognized by the Italian government, has civil effects and is transcribed in the Registrar’s Office registers.
Marriages that are exclusively religious do not have civil effects.
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