Wedding paperwork guide

Other Nationalities, Couples from Two Countries and Special Cases

Not American, British, Canadian, Australian or Brazilian? Marrying someone of another nationality? Here is how it works, and where it gets complicated.

The short answer

Every combination
has its own path.

European citizens often have the simplest procedure, thanks to multilingual certificates issued by their own town.
Most other countries ask for a Nulla Osta from their consulate, legalised, and a few make it really hard.
Couples of different nationalities: each of you follows the procedure of your own country, and sometimes one country wants to see the other's documents first.
Special cases exist, and for some the best answer is a legal wedding elsewhere and a symbolic ceremony in Italy.

Leave it to us Book a 30-minute consultation (€50)

European citizens

Multilingual certificates
and the EU regulation.

Multilingual certificates. Citizens of Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey can ask their own town for a multilingual certificate of capacity to marry and a multilingual birth certificate. No translation and no apostille are needed. Belgium is an exception: ask us.

The EU regulation. For all EU countries, Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 allows certificates of capacity to marry and birth certificates with a multilingual standard form, again without an apostille.

When the Nulla Osta is still the best way. Some countries struggle with these procedures, so we keep using the consular Nulla Osta. French citizens request it from the French consulate, which sends it directly to us. Irish citizens apply online through the Irish government's marriage abroad service.

All other countries. Outside these cases, most countries require a Nulla Osta issued by their consulate and legalised.

Every country has its own details: tell us your nationalities and we'll tell you exactly which documents to ask for.

Couples of different nationalities

Two passports,
two procedures.

When you have different nationalities, each of you follows the procedure of your own country. Sometimes one country wants to see the other's documents before it issues its own.

A German and British couple, for example: the UK issues its document, but Germany wants the British documents apostilled and translated before it issues the certificate of capacity to marry. Getting the order right saves weeks, and that is exactly what we do.

A special case

Israeli
citizens.

Israel issues a Nulla Osta, but it leaves out information that Italian town halls require, so it is not accepted. The only way to a legal wedding in Italy is through the court, with a lawyer, and it is possible only if one of you lives in Italy. We work with a lawyer who can follow you.

If you both live abroad, the simplest solution is a civil wedding somewhere else and a symbolic ceremony here in Italy.

Other special cases

When it gets
complicated.

You live in a different country from your nationality: both countries may be involved in your documents. British citizens who don't live in the UK, for example, must go to the British consulate in Rome at least 20 days before the wedding (we suggest 30) and stay three nights in Italy to obtain their Nulla Osta: see our guide for British citizens.
A recent divorce: Italian law asks a woman to wait 300 days after the end of a previous marriage, unless a court allows otherwise.
Your country doesn't issue a Nulla Osta, or issues one that Italy doesn't accept.
Missing or old documents, name changes, adoptions or documents in other languages.

None of these is a reason to give up: tell us your situation and we'll find the right way.

Every case is different

Let's look at
your case together.

In 30 minutes on Google Meet we look at your nationalities, residence and marital status and tell you what you need, in which order. It costs €50, deducted from our fee if you then ask us to take care of your paperwork.

Book a consultation

More paperwork guides

You may also need.

How to get married in Italy

Who can marry in Italy, how long you need to stay and which documents you need, with a guide for every nationality.

Read the guide

British Paperwork Tuscany Wedding-Volterra

British citizens

The CNI, the Statutory Declaration and the steps in Italy for British citizens, ending with a marriage certificate the UK accepts.

Read the guide

Two brides walking hand in hand at sunset in Tuscany

Same-sex couples

How a civil union works in Italy for foreign couples, how it is recognised at home, and when a symbolic ceremony is the better choice.

Reviews

What our couples say about us.

Paige RusherOctober 2026

★★★★★

Francina Goes Above and Beyond!

Words cannot begin to describe how grateful I am to Francina for all of her diligent work to make my Tuscan wedding weekend perfect. She went above and beyond to ensure the details and vendors were finalized and the guests were…

Emily AdamSeptember 2026

★★★★★

The best wedding - thanks so much Francesca!

We couldn't have asked for a better celebrant than Francesca. From our very first conversation, she was incredibly organised, ensuring every detail was covered and making the entire process feel smooth and manageable. Her…

Laura and VinnySeptember 2026

★★★★★

Wonderful experience

Working with Francesca was truly wonderful from beginning to end. She made the entire process feel seamless and simple, handling every detail and all of the logistics while ensuring our wedding day felt incredibly special. Her…

5.0 out of 5 from 184 reviews since 2008 · Read all the reviews

Questions, answered

Special cases
and couples from two countries.

Do EU citizens need an apostille to marry in Italy?

Usually not. Multilingual certificates from your town, or the multilingual standard forms of Regulation (EU) 2016/1191, avoid both apostilles and translations. Some countries still work better with a consular Nulla Osta.

We have different nationalities. Who issues what?

Each of you follows the procedure of your own country, and sometimes one country wants to see the other's documents first. We tell you the right order, to save time.

Can Israeli citizens get married in Italy?

Only through the court, with a lawyer, if one of you lives in Italy. If you both live abroad, a civil wedding elsewhere and a symbolic ceremony in Italy is the simplest solution.