Marriage of a U.S. Citizen

Consular District of Rome

BEFORE ARRIVING IN ITALY

Before leaving the United States to get married in Italy, it is advisable to obtain an Atto Notorio from the Italian Consulate closest to your current residence.

Make sure you travel with an American passport or American Armed Forces identification card. If you will be married in the Roman Catholic Church, bring baptismal and confirmation certificates. If you were married before, bring evidence of termination of the previous marriage, and if you are under age 18, a sworn statement by parents or legal guardian(s).

ONCE IN ITALY

A declaration (Nulla Osta) is required by Italian law. A Nulla Osta literally states that “there are no impediments,” or that one is free to marry. To obtain a Nulla Osta, valid in Rome’s consular district, visit the Consular Section located at Via Veneto, 121, Rome, by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, click here. The Nulla Osta is valid for six months and costs $30.00, or the equivalent in Euro.

You can download the appropriate Nulla Osta form ahead of time in order to save time. If so, please fill it in but do not sign it ahead of time as it will have to be signed in front of the Consul.

The Nulla Osta must then be legalized by the Ufficio Legalizzazioni of the Prefettura on Viale Ostiense, 131L, Rome, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9:00am to 12:00 noon (tel.: 06-67294633). Before you go, purchase a revenue stamp (marca da bollo) worth 14,62 Euros at a tobacco store to take with you. If you will be married at a Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican, you do not need this legalization. For more information, see also “Religious Ceremony.”

If an Atto Notorio was not obtained previously or you currently reside in Italy, the Atto Notorio can be executed at any Tribunale Ordinario in Italy. In Rome, it is located at the Ufficio Atti Notori, Via G. Cesare, 54B ("nuovo edificio" first floor, office #524), Rome, open Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 12:20pm, and on Monday and Thursday, 3:00 to 4:20pm (tel.: 06-3577-547). You must call for an appointment. You will also need to ask how many revenue stamps (marche da bollo) you need to purchase. Two witnesses over 18 years of age and an interpreter, if necessary, need to be present. You, the witnesses, and the interpreter must show proof of recent entry into Italy, i.e. plane ticket or visa, or a Permit to Stay (permesso di soggiorno).

CIVIL CEREMONY

Bring the Atto Notorio and Nulla Osta to the Ufficio Matrimoni, or Marriage Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm, at the Anagrafe on Via Petroselli, 50, Rome (tel: 06-6710-3066). If you do not speak Italian, someone who speaks Italian and can provide a simple translation should accompany you. At this time, you will be given an appointment for making a Promessa di Matrimonio, or Declaration of Intent to Marry, and another for the actual marriage ceremony, sometimes these fall on the same day. You will pay a fee for rental of the marriage hall, which varies from €155 to almost €300 depending on the season and the day of the week. For these appointments, you must arrive with two witnesses, and for those who do not speak Italian, an interpreter.

If one or more of the parties is Italian or is an American with Italian residency, then a Civil Ban (publicazzione) must be posted for at least two weeks before marriage including two consecutive Sundays.

The Promessa di Matrimonio is followed by the Civil Ceremony. At the ceremony, apply for a marriage certificate (certificato di matrimonio), which will be presented immediately afterwards. Ask to have an Apostile affixed to the Italian Marriage certificate by the Italian authorities at the Prefettura, so that it may be used for all legal purposes in the United States. Keep in mind that during peak marriage season, May through September, it is difficult to get an appointment for the Apostile.

Most Civil Marriages are performed at the Complesso di Vignola Mattei located in Via di Valle delle Camene, 2, which is parallel to Viale delle Terme di Caracalla. Marriages are preformed every day of the week. On Saturdays and Sundays, civil marriages may also take place at the City Hall in Piazza del Campidoglio. Two witnesses and an interpreter must be present.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

Bring the Nulla Osta directly to the priest who will officially register the marriage. He must go to the City Hall within five days. The Roman Catholic Church also requires the baptismal and confirmation certificates. For English language marriages at the Vatican, also known as the Holy See, contact the parish priest of Santa Susanna Church by visiting their website at www.santasusanna.org. Marriages at the Vatican will be registered with the Vatican civil authorities and marriage certificates are issued by the civil registry of Vatican City (Ufficio di Stato Civile, Anagrafe e Notariato, Governatorato, Citta del Vaticano). Because the Vatican is a separate State and not part of Italy, the Nulla Osta from the Embassy is required but does not need to be legalized by the Italian Prefettura. Ceremonies performed at non-Roman Catholic churches require the civil ceremony as well.

ALL FEES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP IS NOT IMMEDIATELY ACQUIRED THROUGH MARRIAGE. CONTACT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE AT THE AMERICAN CONSULATE IN ROME FOR INFORMATION ABOUT IMMIGRANT VISAS.

AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICERS ARE NOT TRAINED IN ITALIAN LAW AND CONSEQUENTLY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO INTERPRET IT. CONSULT THE ITALIAN EMBASSY OR AN ITALIAN CONSULATE IN THE U.S. FOR INFORMATION ON ITALIAN LAWS.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS INTERNET WEBSITE: http://www.state.gov