Documentation to get married in Italy
Getting married in Italy requires some paperwork if you plan it to be legally binding. Catholic weddings in Italy, and weddings of the other religions recognized by the Italian government, are also legally binding in one single ceremony, this is called "matrimonio concordatario". Obviously all religious and civil requirements have to be done well in advance. 
Both Civil or Catholic weddings in Italy - unlike many other countries in the world - have to be celebrated respectively in the "comune" premises or in authorized churches. There are very few cities that allow legally binding civil wedding ceremonies in castles or villas (and this is only due to the fact that the city hall (comune) has different premises such as those). Eventually you can plan to have a private legally binding ceremony in the town hall and a symbolic one with your guests in open air, in a castle, in an ancient villa or whatever place you desire.
Let's see some of the rules for a civil legally binding wedding for foreigners:
Wedding in Italy, the Couple
any country require some little different approach to release a "nulla osta" to let you get married in Italy, but as a general rule if the wedding is celebrated according the Italian regulation it is also valid in your native country. Some paper work is to be accomplished before and after, and some "timing" is to be respected. (Be aware that in Italy same sex couples cannot get a legally binding marriage, if it's your case you may decide to have a symbolic wedding instead)
Basically both, bride and groom, have to be either single or legally divorced. By law, if the woman divorced less than 300 days before the new wedding date, a medical certificate of non pregnancy should be provided to the local court. For Catholics, if one of the two had been married before with a catholic celebration too, divorce certificate is to be provided as well but only a civil or symbolic wedding is possible, unless you have the "Catholic Church Annulment" (nullification) - this procedure is so long (I am talking about years) and you cannot give for granted it will be any successful, so, if this is your case, we suggest you plan either a civil or a symbolic wedding, and only if you get the annulment plan for a second, maybe private, ceremony.
Wedding in Italy Documentation
If none of you is Italian nor resident in Italy, banns are waived and you just need the Authorization issued by consular foreign Authority in Italy (for some nationalities consul's signature shall be legalized by the Prefecture) The legalization is not requested for the following countries (it may apply to some others): Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, UK (including the Isle of Man), Greece, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Norway, Holland (including Netherlands Antilles and Aruba), Portugal, Czech Rep., San Marino Rep., Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Hungary. Alternatively you need the authorization of a competent foreign authority confirmed by the Italian Embassy or Consulate. The authorization shall attest there are not obstacles to the marriage. It also shall include the following data: name, surname, date and place of birth, residence, nationality, unmarried status, paternity and maternity, birth certificate (when maternity or paternity are not provided on authorization).
Do not worry, we can help you out with all this and send the whole paperwork to the competent authorities to have your marriage registered in your home country. All you have to do is plan to be in Italy some days in advance... but, as we will be there releasing you from any stress, imagine that as an advanced honeymoon!!
Please select your nationality in the menu bar for specific directions and consulate addresses or read some additional resources in the blog or click the links below
