Can US citizens get officially married in Italy?

Of course they can, and it is rather simple. Italian law follows a protocol that ensures the eligibility of both parties before a marriage can take place. The first requirement from the Italian authorities is a marriage clearance certificate, issued by the Country of residence or origin of the future spouses. In short, the goal is to formally confirm that there are “no legal impediments to the marriage”. The language difference, Italian versus English, is not an obstacle, as the entire process requires translation by a professional certified translator.

All documents will be officially certified under Italian law. Initially, the documents are sent from the US in English, and upon arrival in Italy, they are translated with official certification to guarantee accuracy. This process can take a few months; however, in some countries, transmission times are intentionally shortened to prevent misuse. These deadlines must be respected. There’s no need to worry, such procedures are becoming increasingly routine, and Italian municipalities are gaining more experience with them every year. Always make copies of your documents. Send one copy from the US to Italy and keep a second copy for yourself. Couriers can sometimes lose packages, so having a backup is essential during the international exchange, which still relies on traditional mail.

Also, make sure you have at least one email address for the registry office of the municipality where your civil wedding will take place. Confirm that the person you’re corresponding with will be the same one handling your procedure, as several months may pass and staff changes are common in public administration. The cost of completing this entire process is relatively modest, around €200–400. The marriage ceremony will then take place in Italy on the scheduled date. In addition to your documents, remember to provide valid ID or passports for the two witnesses. You generally have two options for the ceremony venue: the registry office, which can feel anonymous and plain, or a municipal hall, which is often more charming and fitting for the occasion. The latter typically costs between €400 and €1,000. 

Finally, you will need to hire a translator for the ceremony. Their role is brief, usually no more than 20 minutes to translate the reading of the three Italian civil law codes. The municipal official conducting the ceremony will read the text only in the official language of the country where the marriage is taking place.  While the official marriage must be completed at the municipal office, the truly magical moment can take place in the garden of your chosen venue in Italy. There, surrounded by all your guests, you can exchange rings and celebrate in a setting that is personal, beautiful, and unforgettable, far more memorable than the formal atmosphere of the registry office. I’ll explain this approach in more detail shortly.

In Italy, a religious marriage is primarily a formality, as it is not legally recognized under Italian law. Nevertheless, many couples choose to marry in a church, which can be incredibly evocative given the beauty of Renaissance and Medieval basilicas.

The procedure is like a civil ceremony, though it is handled by different offices. Catholic Curia’s worldwide communicate in Latin, so the couple’s home Curia prepares the necessary documentation in Latin and sends it to the Curia that will host the ceremony, in our case, the Curia of Arezzo. Always keep a duplicate of these documents, sent by mail, as a backup.  The Church requires that at least one of the spouses be Catholic; the other may be Protestant, Anglican, or Orthodox, which is perfectly acceptable. For the ceremony itself, it is highly recommended to choose a priest who speaks your native language fluently, ensuring the service is meaningful and clear.  Parishes do not charge fees, only donations, usually no less than €200–300. Administrative costs are typically €100–150, since certified translators are not required.

At Terzo di Danciano, our wedding venue on the border of Tuscany and Umbria we have been hosting international destination weddings for 15 years. We have had couples from Ireland, Indonesia, England, Germany, Uganda, USA, Scotland, Hong Kong, Malta, The Netherland, Israel, Belgium, Switzerland, Romania, Venezuela and all parts of Italy of course. Each couple has their own needs and desires. Whether we are working with your wedding planner or working directly with you to plan every detail, count on us to go above and beyond to ensure the experience is everything you want it to be. Your own private wedding venue in Tuscany awaits.