Legal Requirements to Get Married in Italy as a US Citizen: Complete 2026 Guide

Get Married in Italy as a US Citizen | From Kiss Me Italy – Italian wedding planners with over 30 years of experience

Getting married in Italy is the dream of thousands of American couples every year, but navigating Italian legal requirements can seem complicated. As the Kiss Me Italy team, Italian wedding planners with over 30 years of experience assisting international couples, we’ve helped hundreds of American citizens realize their dream Italian wedding.

This complete guide explains everything you need to know about legal requirements, necessary documents, timelines, and costs, with verified information from official sources (U.S. Embassy in Italy, Italian Consulates).

Get Married in Italy as a US Citizen

Legal Requirements to Get Married in Italy as a US Citizen: Complete 2026 Guide

The Fundamental Decision: Legal Marriage or Symbolic Ceremony?

Before starting any preparation, you must decide which type of ceremony you want:

Legal Civil Marriage (Legally Binding)

Legally recognized in both Italy and the United States.

Pros:

✅ One marriage, recognized everywhere
✅ Italian marriage certificate valid internationally
✅ Option to choose historic venues (City Halls, Palaces)

Cons:

⚠️ Complex documentation (2-3 months preparation)
⚠️ Bureaucratic costs: €800-1,500 for assistance
⚠️ Ceremony in Italian (interpreter mandatory if you don’t speak Italian)
⚠️ Less flexibility on dates and times

Total documentation cost: €1,000-1,500 (source: Italian wedding planner market data)

Symbolic Ceremony (Non-Legally Binding)

Not legally valid – you’ll need to marry legally in the US.

Pros: 

✅ Zero Italian bureaucracy
✅ Total flexibility on location, times, content
✅ Personalized ceremony in any language
✅ Reduced costs (no legal documentation)
✅ Stress-free planning

Cons: 

⚠️ Need separate civil marriage in the US
⚠️ No legal Italian certificate

Symbolic celebrant cost: €500-1,000 (source: Italian wedding market)

Required Documents for Legal Civil Marriage

Official source: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy

1. Valid US Passport

• Required: Passport with minimum 6 months validity
• Armed Forces members: Can present Military ID instead of passport
• Cost: $130 (US adult passport)

2. Birth Certificate

Specific requirements:

• Format: Long-form (complete certificate, not extract)
• Original or certified copy
• With Apostille (see below)
• Sworn Italian translation

Where to obtain:

• Vital Records Office of your birth state
• Time: 2-4 weeks
• Cost: $15-50 (varies by state)

3. Apostille on Birth Certificate

What is an Apostille:
Official stamp certifying document authenticity for international use (Hague Convention).

Where to obtain:

• Secretary of State of your birth state
• Time: 1-3 weeks
• Cost: $2-25 (varies by state)

Important: The Apostille must be on the same document as the birth certificate, not separate.

4. Proof of Termination of Previous Marriages (If Applicable)

If divorced or widowed, you must provide:

For divorced:

• Final Decree of Divorce (final divorce decree)
• With Apostille
• Sworn Italian translation

For widowed:

• Death Certificate of former spouse
• With Apostille
• Sworn Italian translation

Time: 2-4 weeks to obtain documents
Apostille cost: $2-25 per state

5. Atto Notorio (Affidavit of Marital Status)

Fundamental document declaring under oath that there are no legal impediments to your marriage.

Where to obtain:

• US Consulate in Italy (Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples)
• Must be done in person in Italy
• Requires appointment (book 2-4 weeks in advance)

Cost: $50 USD (source: U.S. Embassy Italy)
Time: 15-30 minute appointment

Documents needed for Atto Notorio:

• US passport
• Birth certificate with Apostille and translation
• Any divorce decree/death certificate

6. Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment)

The final document that the Italian Municipality requires to celebrate the marriage.

How to obtain:

1. Get Atto Notorio at US Consulate
2. Sworn Italian translation of Atto Notorio
3. Legalization at local Italian Prefecture
4. Submission to Municipality to obtain Nulla Osta

Total process cost: €200-400
Time: 1-2 weeks after Atto Notorio
Validity: 6 months

Sworn Translations: Essential Requirement

All US documents must be translated into Italian by certified translator.

Documents to translate:

• Birth certificate
• Divorce decree (if applicable)
• Death certificate (if applicable)
• Atto Notorio

Where to do them:

• In Italy: Sworn translator registered with Court registry
• In US: Certified translator + Apostille on translation

Costs:

• Per document: €50-150
• Estimated total: €200-500 per couple

Our Kiss Me Italy service includes: Coordination with trusted certified translators.

Complete Timeline: How Much Time Is Needed?

Absolute Minimum: 3 Months Before Wedding

3-4 months before:

•  Request birth certificates
•  Obtain Apostilles on certificates
•  Request divorce decrees/death certificates (if necessary)

2-3 months before:

•  Arrange sworn translations
•  Book US Consulate appointment in Italy
•  Plan Italy trip for paperwork

6-8 weeks before:

•  Italy trip
•  Consulate appointment for Atto Notorio
•  Start Nulla Osta process with Municipality

4 weeks before:

•  Receive final Nulla Osta
•  Confirm ceremony details with Municipality
•  Complete marriage registration

Wedding day:

•  Civil ceremony at Municipality
•  Witnesses present (2 required)
•  Receive Italian marriage certificate

Total Costs: Realistic Budget

Complete Legal Documents Breakdown

Item	Cost
Birth certificates (2)	$30-100
Apostilles (2-4 documents)	$10-100
Sworn translations	€200-500
Consulate Atto Notorio (2)	$100
Nulla Osta process	€200-400
Italy trip for paperwork	$1,000-2,000
Wedding planner assistance	€800-1,500
TOTAL	€1,500-3,000

Note: Kiss Me Italy service includes complete documentation management in our wedding planning package (€10,000-15,000).

The Value of Professional Assistance

Why Hire a Wedding Planner for Documentation

Alessandra Ferretti explains:

“Documentation for legal marriages in Italy is complex and any error causes delays of weeks. Over 30 years, we’ve developed relationships with Consulates, Municipalities, and certified translators that accelerate the process and guarantee zero errors.”

What our documentation service includes:

✅ Personalized checklist for your specific situation
✅ Coordination with US Consulate and appointment booking
✅ Management of trusted certified translators
✅ Interface with Italian Municipality for Nulla Osta
✅ 24/7 assistance for questions and problems
✅ Backup plans for unexpected issues

Service cost: Included in our complete wedding planning package

Symbolic Ceremony: The Simple Alternative

How It Works

1. Legally marry in the US (courthouse, 30 minutes, $50-150)
2. Dream symbolic ceremony in Italy (any exclusive location)
3. Zero Italian bureaucracy

Benefits for American Couples

Total Flexibility:

• Any location (Portofino, Venice, Tuscany, beaches, yachts, private villas)
• Any day/time
• Ceremony in English or bilingual
• Complete text and ritual customization

Reduced Costs:

• Symbolic celebrant: €500-1,000
• No documentation costs
• More budget for venue and celebration

Identical Experience:

• Guests experience the same emotion
• Identical photos and videos
• Unforgettable memories

Legal US Marriage + Italy Ceremony: Best of Both Worlds

Many couples do:

• Friday afternoon: US Courthouse wedding (immediate family)
• Following weekend: Italy trip
• Saturday evening: Welcome dinner
• Sunday: Luxury symbolic ceremony + reception
• Monday: Farewell brunch

Result: Legally married + dream Italian celebration, zero bureaucratic stress.

Specific Requirements for Popular Destinations

Portofino / Liguria Wedding

Municipality: Santa Margherita Ligure or Portofino
Civil venue: Villa Durazzo, City Hall
Documentation: Standard Italian
Our advantage: Established relationships with Santa Margherita Municipality

Venice Wedding

Popular municipalities: Venice (Palazzo Cavalli), Mestre
Civil venue: Palazzo Cavalli (Grand Canal), Ca’ Vendramin Calergi
Special notes: High demand, book 12+ months in advance
Our team: Danilo Leo Lazzarini, Venice expert

Tuscany Wedding

Popular municipalities: Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti areas
Civil venue: Historic palaces, municipal villas
Documentation: Standard Italian
High season: April-October (book early)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How far in advance should I start the process?
A: Minimum 3 months, ideal 4-6 months to avoid stress.

Q: Can I do everything remotely from the US?
A: No, you must come to Italy for the US Consulate appointment (Atto Notorio). Plan 3-5 days in Italy 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Q: Is the Italian certificate valid in the US?
A: Yes, with Italian Apostille + certified English translation it’s recognized in all US states.

Q: Can we marry in a Catholic church?
A: Yes, but requires additional documentation (baptism certificates, pre-marriage courses). We recommend specialized wedding planner assistance.

Q: What’s the total cost of legal vs symbolic wedding?
A:

• Legal: +€1,500-3,000 documentation costs
• Symbolic: €500-1,000 celebrant, zero bureaucracy

Conclusion: Our Recommendation

For most American couples wanting a luxury Italian wedding, symbolic ceremony offers the best balance between Italian magic and practical simplicity.

If you choose legal marriage, assistance from experienced Italian wedding planners like Kiss Me Italy is essential to:

• Navigate complex bureaucracy
• Avoid costly mistakes
• Save time and stress
• Guarantee everything is perfect

With over 30 years of experience assisting international couples, we manage every aspect of documentation while you focus on enjoying your special day.