Canadian citizen getting married in Italy.

Town hall of Siena

Photo by Edoardo Agresti

Couples celebrating a civil wedding in Italy are surprised at the stateliness of the civil ceremony. The Representative of the state wearing the traditional Italian red, white and green sash reads the articles of law governing the rights and responsibilities of married couples in Italian and is simultaneously translated into English.

The ceremony lasts approximately 20 minutes in its pure form but you can personalise the ceremony with your own vows and readings if the town hall agrees to the additions.

You are legally obliged to have an interpreter present throughout the ceremony, even if you or your partner can speak Italian. The interpreter must be a professional who will sign and make an oath to translate accordingly.

Paperwork requirements focus on certification of no-impediment. All paperwork is submitted to the town hall wedding office when you go to sign your wedding promise two or three days before your wedding date. Please note some town halls are happy for you to sign the promise on the morning of your wedding.

Below you will find the legal requirements for a Canadian citizen getting married in Italy.

Do not obtain documents and certificates more than six months prior to wedding date or they expire.

Documents to Bring to the Italian Embassy in Canada:

• Canadian passport


• Proof of Canadian citizenship (Birth certificate, Citizenship certificate, Certificate of Registration of a Birth Abroad, Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship)


• Parents' consent if under 18 years of age.


• Final Divorce Decree or Death Certificate of previous spouse if divorced or widowed.

• Complete details of the future spouse are also required (full name, father's and mother's maiden names, date and place of birth, residence)

• Notice of no impediment issued by the Provincial Vital Statistics authorities in Canada.


• Complete and swear an Affidavit at the Italian Embassy that there is No Impediment to the proposed marriage.

Upon your arrival in Italy:

• A visit to the Canadian embassy is nessecery to obtain a Nulla Osta. This is a sworn declaration by the Canadian citizen at the Canadian Consulate stating that there is no legal impediment to his/her marriage under Canadian and Italian law. After obtaining the Nulla Osta from the Consulate, it must be taken to the Prefecture to be authenticated (legalized), as described below.

• Authentication (legalization) of this declaration by the Legalization office of any Prefecture in any capital city. Office hours are usually from 10am to 1pm, Monday through Saturday. The Italian wedding planner can take care of this on your behalf so you can relax and enjoy the rest of the day.


• A waiver for any woman divorced within the last 300 days, obtained from the Procura della Republica (District Attorney), issued on presentation of a medical certificate that she is not pregnant.

• The Italian wedding planner will then present the legalized Nulla Osta to the Marriage Office of the Municipality, then you can get married!

Town hall of Orvieto

Photo by Edoardo Agresti

For more information please see the links below:

Italian Embassy in Ottawa: http://www.ambottawa.esteri.it/ambasciata_ottawa

The Italian wedding planner: http://www.theitalianweddingplanner.com/

Canada Embassy in Roma


Via Salaria 243, 00199 Rome (Political, Academic, Cultural and Trade Sections)

Via Zara 30, 00198 Rome (Visa and Consular Sections)

tel: (+39) 06 85 25 41

fax: (+39) 06 85 25 43 01

website: http://www.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/italy/menu-en.asp

email address: rome@international.gc.ca

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00 (visa section is open Monday-Thursday 08:30-11:30 only, consular section is open Monday-Friday 08:30-12:00 and 14:00-16:00 only)



Canada Honorary Consul in Naples

29 Via Carducci

80121 Naples

tel: (+39) 081 401338

fax: (+39) 081 4104210

website: http://www.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/italy/naples_consul-en.asp

email address: cancons.nap@tiscali.it

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 (call for an appointment)



Canada Honorary Consul in Padova

25 Riviera Ruzzante

35123 Padova

tel: (+39) 049 8764833

fax: (+39) 049 8781147

website: http://www.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/italy/padova_consul-en.asp

email address: consolatocanada.padova@virgilio.it

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:30-13:00