Can US Citizens Get Married in Italy?

Understanding Italian wedding requirements is essential for US citizens who want to get married in Italy. In fact, many couples wonder whether US citizens can get married in Italy.

The answer is yes. In fact, there are no restrictions preventing US citizens from getting married in Italy, and their marriage can be celebrated either through a civil ceremony or a religious ceremony.

In both cases, the marriage certificate can subsequently be transcribed in the civil status registers of their Country of origin.

Documents Required for US Citizens Getting Married in Italy

Understanding the Italian wedding requirements and documentation early ensures a smooth, stress-free process.

However, a U.S. citizen who intends to get married in Italy cannot provide the Nulla Osta required under Article 116 of the Italian Civil Code.

In the United States, there is no single competent authority capable of issuing, when a US citizen intends to get married in Italy, a document certifying that, under the laws of the State of which the person is a citizen, there are no legal impediments to the marriage.

Therefore, under Law No. 1195 of October 13, 1965, which ratifies and implements the Agreement between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the United States concerning civil status documents to be produced by US citizens intending to marry in Italy, a US citizen must provide:

1. Valid identification document (passport or another document allowing the person to be identified).
2. Sworn declaration made by the US citizen before the US Consular Authority in Italy.

US Wedding Requirements: Do You Need a Nulla Osta to Get Married in Italy?

US citizens who want to get married in Italy must make a sworn declaration (Affidavit) at the US Consulate or Embassy in Italy. The declaration will be signed by the consular officer, after which the signature must be legalized at the competent local Prefettura.

The sworn declaration must contain the following information:

• Surname and First name
• Place and date of birth (day, month, year)
• Father’s name (father’s surname and first name)
• Mother’s name (mother’s surname and maiden name)
• Marital status (for divorced or widowed women, the date of the divorce or death of the spouse must be indicated)
• Residence/domicile (municipality – city – State)
• Citizenship
• Declaration that there is no legal impediment to the marriage the person intends to enter into in Italy, under the laws to which they are subject in the United States of America.
• Place and date on which the declaration was made.

In addition, the declaration must be accompanied by a declaration from the United States authority that received the declaration

certifying:

• the person’s identity
• the person’s citizenship.

Affidavit for U.S. Citizens Marrying in Italy

US citizens who want to get married in Italy must also provide, in addition to the Nulla Osta, an Atto Notorio (that is, a sworn declaration made by the foreign spouses in the presence of two non-related witnesses) at either:

• the Italian Consulate in the United States of America; or
• the Court registry (cancelleria del Tribunale) if the person is in Italy.

confirming that there are no legal impediments to the marriage.

Getting Married in Sicily with Sicilian Dream Weddings

At Sicilian Dream Weddings, we help US couples navigate the legal and bureaucratic requirements for getting married in Sicily, while also planning every aspect of their destination wedding in Sicily.

As a team composed of experienced event planners and legal experts, we handle every detail—from securing your Atto Notorio and consular appointments to styling an unforgettable ceremony set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sicily.

Contact Sicilian Dream Weddings today to ensure your Italian wedding is as legally sound as it is beautiful.