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Wedding paperwork guide

Australian Citizens Getting Married in Italy

Good news: as an Australian you prepare almost nothing at home. Two documents, four witnesses and a few appointments in Italy, and we take care of them with you.

Paperwork guide for Australians

Can Australian citizens get married in Italy?

Yes. If you are an Australian citizen getting married in Italy, you can have a legally valid civil wedding, or a legally recognised religious one, once two documents are ready: the Nulla Osta and the Atto Notorio.

Almost everything happens in Italy. At Efffetti we prepare your documents, legalise them at the Prefettura and take care of the Comune, the interpreter and the timing.

The short answer

Quick overview
for Australian citizens.

  • Almost nothing to prepare at home: bring your passports, and give us all the details of your situation at the start.
  • The Nulla Osta is signed at the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Consulate-General in Milan, then legalised at the Prefettura: we book the appointment and do the legalisation for you.
  • The Atto Notorio is usually sworn at the Comune, together with your declaration before the wedding, always with four witnesses.
  • An interpreter is required if one of you doesn't speak Italian, and at the ceremony also if one of your witnesses doesn't.
  • Valid in Australia: a marriage celebrated according to Italian law is recognised in Australia.

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

Who does what

Most of it is in our hands.
Here is what only you can do.

What only you can do

  • Send us your passports and all the details of your situation at the start
  • Sign the Nulla Osta in person at the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Consulate-General in Milan

What we do for you

  • Book every appointment, consulate included
  • Legalise your Nulla Osta at the Prefettura, without you
  • Arrange the Atto Notorio, the declaration, the interpreter and the date at the Comune
  • Find the witnesses for you, if you don't bring your own
  • Collect, legalise and translate your marriage certificates

Recognition

Is a marriage in Italy
legal in Australia?

Yes. A marriage celebrated according to the law of the country where it takes place is recognised in Australia and, under a general principle of international law, around the world. The Australian Government does not register marriages celebrated overseas: your Italian marriage certificate is the document you will show whenever you need to prove you are married.

That is why we take care of the certificates for you: the multilingual one and the simple Italian one, legalised at the Prefettura and translated, sent to you after the wedding.

Bride and groom in a vineyard below a historic Tuscan villa

What you need

Documents for Australian citizens
getting married in Italy.

The Nulla Osta is a sworn declaration that there is no legal impediment to your marriage, signed in person before an Australian consular officer, whether you are single, divorced or widowed.

The Atto Notorio is a second sworn declaration, usually made in Italy at the Comune with four witnesses.

If one of you is not Australian, that partner follows the procedure of their own nationality: see mixed couples and special cases.

Once in Italy

Nulla Osta
for Australian citizens.

The appointment is at the Australian Embassy in Rome or at the Australian Consulate-General in Milan: either is fine. Appointments can be booked well in advance, and we prefer to book them for you, together with all the other appointments: we have the right contacts in every office involved. Bring your Australian passport and, if you have been married before, evidence that the previous marriage has ended (or the death certificate of your previous spouse).

After the appointment you bring the Nulla Osta to us, and we legalise it at the Prefettura with the revenue stamp (marca da bollo). You don't need to come with us. The Nulla Osta is normally valid for six months.

Four witnesses

The Atto Notorio
at the Comune.

For Australians the Atto Notorio is sworn at the Comune, at the same appointment as your declaration before the wedding, always with four witnesses. They must be over 18 and cannot be your parents, siblings or in-laws, and they need to be in Italy for that appointment, usually two or three working days before the wedding. You can bring your own, or we can find them for you.

Your wedding witnesses are a different matter: two people over 18, the same or others, parents and siblings included.

Eloping, or coming with only a few guests? Four witnesses can be a problem. The Atto Notorio can also be done at an Italian consulate in Australia, bringing your birth certificates and any divorce documents, legalised and officially translated. In practice our consulates there are very hard to reach and often refuse the appointment, saying it must be done in Italy, but in these cases it is worth a try. If it really isn't possible, we find the witnesses for you in Italy.

Ask us about your case

Timing

Suggested paperwork
timeline.

  1. When you book our serviceSend us your passports and all the details at once: previous marriages, divorces, other citizenships. Every missing piece of information means redoing work later.
  2. As soon as you know your datesWe book your Nulla Osta appointment at the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Consulate-General in Milan, and every other appointment you need.
  3. Once in ItalySign the Nulla Osta at the consulate and bring it to us: we legalise it at the Prefettura.
  4. Usually 2 or 3 working days before (in some towns the same day)At the Comune, with an interpreter and your four witnesses: the Atto Notorio and the declaration before the wedding.
  5. Your wedding dayThe ceremony, with your two wedding witnesses and the interpreter if needed.
  6. After the weddingWe obtain your certificates, legalise and translate them, and send them to you.

This timeline is a planning guideline: the final schedule depends on the Comune where you marry.

Good to know

Previous marriages,
divorce or widowhood.

If you have been married before, tell us before you start. At the consulate you will need evidence that the previous marriage has ended, or the death certificate of your previous spouse.

Under Italian law, a woman who wishes to marry again within 300 days of the end of her previous marriage needs a court's permission, unless that period has passed.

Bride and groom embracing in a vineyard in Tuscany

Your ceremony

Civil, religious
or symbolic.

A civil wedding is celebrated by the registrar at the Town Hall or at a venue the town has authorised, in Italian, with an interpreter if you need one. You cannot marry at the Australian Embassy or Consulate, and Australian officials cannot celebrate weddings in Italy.

Prefer more freedom of place and words? Many Australian couples do the legal part at home and celebrate in Italy with a symbolic ceremony led by Italian Wedding Celebrants. For a church wedding, see Catholic weddings in Italy.

After the wedding

Your marriage certificate
for Australia.

  • The certificates: we ask the Comune for the multilingual certificate with the box for the name after marriage left blank. If the Comune can't leave it blank, we ask for Italian certificates instead, and give you those.
  • Legalised: all the certificates are apostilled at the Prefettura. It takes about a month after the wedding, sometimes a little more, and then we send them to you.
  • Translation: we also give you our sworn translation of the Italian certificate.
  • Registration: Australia does not register marriages celebrated overseas: your Italian certificate is your proof of marriage.
  • Keep several originals: you will need them for passports, name changes and other records.

Want to play it safe?

A 30-minute
consultation.

On Google Meet we look at your situation, your wedding town and your dates, and tell you exactly what to do and when. It costs €50, deducted from our fee if you then ask us to take care of your paperwork.

Book a consultation

Planning your own wedding in Tuscany?

Wedding coordination
in Tuscany.

Many Australian couples organise their venue and suppliers from home. We can review what you have planned and coordinate the final preparations and the wedding day.

Discover wedding coordination

More paperwork guides

Marrying someone of another nationality?

Bride and groom kissing in the frescoed wedding hall of Volterra town hall

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: British citizens
Bride and groom in the frescoed courtyard of Palazzo Pretorio, the town hall of Certaldo

American citizens

The affidavit at the US consulate, the Atto Notorio and the witnesses: the steps for American citizens, in the right order.

Read the guide: American citizens

Reviews

What our couples say about us.

Laura & PatrickNew York City · October 2026
★★★★★

Wedding Magic!

Working with Francesca was a pleasure from start to finish. Her responsiveness, thoughtful recommendations, and attention to detail made the entire experience feel seamless. She guided us to wonderful vendors that perfectly…
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Elizabeth and DaleNew York, NY · September 2026
★★★★★

A dreamy wedding weekend

Francina made planning an international wedding so much less stressful! Her expertise and relationships with local vendors helped us to feel confident with our ultimate vendor decisions, and all the vendors absolutely delivered!…
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Marisol & JorgeOctober 2026
★★★★★

An Absolutely Perfect Wedding Day

We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding celebrant and day-of coordinator than Francina! 🤍 From the very beginning, she was amazing, and everything on our wedding day went perfectly. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and…
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5.0 out of 5 from 187 reviews since 2008 · Read all the reviews

Questions, answered

Australian citizens
getting married in Italy.

Can Australians legally get married in Italy?

Yes. Australian citizens can have a legally valid civil wedding in Italy, or a recognised religious one, with two documents: the Nulla Osta and the Atto Notorio. Almost everything happens in Italy.

Is our Italian marriage valid in Australia?

Yes. A marriage celebrated according to Italian law is recognised in Australia and, as a general principle of international law, around the world. Australia does not register overseas marriages, so keep your Italian certificates safe: we send them to you legalised and translated.

Which documents do Australian citizens need to get married in Italy?

The Nulla Osta, signed at the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Consulate-General in Milan and legalised at the Prefettura, and the Atto Notorio, sworn at the Comune with four witnesses. From you we need your passports and all the details of your situation.

Where do Australians obtain the Nulla Osta in Italy?

At the Australian Embassy in Rome or the Australian Consulate-General in Milan, either is fine. We book the appointment for you, as we do with all the others: we have the right contacts. Then you bring it to us and we legalise it at the Prefettura.

Who can be our witnesses?

For the Atto Notorio, always four people over 18 who are not your parents, siblings or in-laws, present at the Comune two or three working days before the wedding. For the wedding itself, two people over 18, family included.

We are eloping: where do we find four witnesses?

First we suggest trying the Atto Notorio at an Italian consulate in Australia, with your birth certificates and any divorce documents legalised and translated. Our consulates there are hard to reach and often send couples back to Italy; if it really isn't possible, we find the witnesses for you in Italy.

How many days before the wedding do we need to be in Italy?

Enough to sign the Nulla Osta in Rome or Milan and to attend the Comune, with your four witnesses, usually two or three working days before the wedding. We plan the exact timing with you.

Can Australian citizens get married at the Australian Embassy or Consulate?

No. Australian officials cannot celebrate weddings in Italy and you cannot marry at the Embassy or Consulate: the wedding must follow Italian law.

How do I change my name in Australia after getting married in Italy?

Name changes after a marriage in Italy follow Australian law, not Italian law. Depending on your State or Territory and the authority involved, your Italian marriage certificate may be enough, or you may need more documents; some authorities charge a fee.

Can we have a symbolic wedding instead?

Yes. Some Australian couples complete the legal part at home and have a symbolic ceremony in Italy, with more freedom of place, words and style.

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