8 August 2026

Getting Married in Italy as a Foreigner

Documents and Paperwork

What to know before planning your dream wedding in Tuscany

Getting married in the Chianti countryside, surrounded by centuries-old vineyards and medieval hamlets like Castelvecchi, is a dream for many international couples. But before the flowers, the catering and the wine, there’s a step that’s often underestimated: the legal paperwork. Understanding what’s needed in advance makes everything easier — and lets you enjoy the planning without last-minute surprises.

Two possible paths: legal ceremony or symbolic ceremony

Many foreign couples actually choose a hybrid solution: getting legally married in their home country (perhaps with a brief civil ceremony at their local registry office, before or after the trip) and then experiencing the “real” ceremony — the emotional one, with family and friends — here in Chianti, in symbolic form. It isn’t legally binding, but it lets you write your own vows freely, without being bound by Italian timelines or bureaucracy.

For couples who want their marriage to be legally valid directly in Italy, there are two main options:

  • Civil ceremony, held at the town hall (Comune);
  • Concordat ceremony (typically Catholic), which carries the same legal standing as a civil ceremony.

The key document: the “Nulla Osta”

For foreign couples who want to marry civilly in Italy, the central document is the Nulla Osta, the certificate confirming there are no legal impediments to the marriage under the laws of your home country. Without this document, no Italian Comune can authorize the wedding.

The Nulla Osta is generally issued by your country’s embassy or consulate in Italy, but the process varies by nationality: some countries issue it directly, others require a different route (for example, through a sworn declaration or the publication of marriage banns in the home country).

Other documents generally required:

  • a valid passport;
  • a full-length birth certificate, usually with limited validity (often just a few months);
  • a sworn translation (asseverazione) of any non-Italian documents, carried out through an Italian court;
  • documentation related to previous marriages (divorce decree or death certificate of a previous spouse), if applicable.

Timelines

Timelines vary considerably depending on nationality and the relevant consulate: some processes are completed in just a few business days, others take several weeks. In general, it’s best to start the Nulla Osta request as early as possible, in parallel with choosing your venue, since it’s often the longest step in the entire process.

The most important piece of advice

Procedures change not only from country to country, but also over time, and each Comune can have small practical differences of its own. This is why most international couples marrying in Tuscany rely on a local wedding planner or a legal consultant specializing in marriages for foreigners in Italy, who handles all the paperwork and coordinates timelines with the Comune and the consulate.

A few practical tips before you start

  • Always check official sources. Procedures can change: before moving forward, check the up-to-date guidance on your consulate or embassy’s website in Italy and, if possible, confirm the requirements directly with the Comune where you’ll be marrying.
  • Look into the procedure specific to your nationality. The path to obtaining the Nulla Osta varies significantly between the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other countries: ask your consulate what the correct procedure is for you, rather than assuming a generic process applies.
  • Don’t rely on “standard” timelines and costs found online. They vary from consulate to consulate and can change over time: always ask a wedding planner or a legal consultant specializing in marriages for foreigners in Italy for an up-to-date, personalized estimate.
  • Rely on a local professional. A wedding planner or law firm with specific experience in international weddings in Tuscany can handle all the paperwork on your behalf, helping you avoid mistakes and delays.

Dreaming of getting married at Castelvecchi, in the heart of Chianti? Tell us about your wedding vision and we’ll help you picture every detail, from the ceremony to the reception.