EASIER THAN YOU MAY THINK…

I have been helping couples plan weddings in Italy for 18 years.

When you begin your wedding planning journey, you have to decide what type of ceremony you would like.

Many couples choose a SYMBOLIC CEREMONY, where you marry officially in the UK. Once the legalities are done in UK, then couples hold a celebration in Italy with their family and friends. Symbolic weddings are more and more popular each year.

A civil wedding means that the wedding is registered in Italy. A wedding certificate will be issued and held on record. It is optional as to whether or not you register your wedding in the UK. You are issued with a couple of wedding certificates which are translated into English. You would need these to change your name on documents when you return to the UK. The town hall will ask for 2 witnesses for your ceremony, The ceremony will be in Italian and then translated into English by an official Italian interpreter . The legal part will take about 20 minutes. The ceremony is fairly official so you may well want to ask your planner if it is possible to add vows and readings.

WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL YOU NEED?

Here is a really useful video that explains the procedure. Don’t worry though, as your planner should guide you through the process. Remember any of the documents for the wedding, are only valid for 6 months (UK CITIZENS) from the date of issue.

CERTIFICATE OF NON IMPEDIMENT

This is valid for 6 months from the date it is issued. It takes 28 days for the document to be issued from the day when you have your appointment with your registrar. You would phone in advance to make an appointment. The cost is approx £35 per person, and each of you will be interviewed separately. The purpose of this form is to show that you are free to marry. After your appointment the notice to marry will be posted on the board of the town hall. Ask at your appointment if this will be posted out or if you have to collect it. Whilst you are waiting for the certificate to be issued, you can download a Statutory Declaration. This needs to be completed in the presence of a solicitor and signed and stamped by them. Costs to do this will vary, but estimate £10 each.

LEGALISING THE DOCUMENTS – FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Once you have your 2 certificates of Non Impediment and 2 Statutory Declarations, signed by a solicitor, then you need to legalise your documents with the FCO. This used to take about 5 days but post covid, especially this summer, it has taken up to a month, so be prepared. Budget approx £30 per document.

WITNESSES

You need to choose 2 witnesses for your wedding.

SENDING THE DOCUMENTS TO ITALY

As soon as you receive the legalised certificates of non impediment and legalised Stat Declarations, then you need to liaise with your planner. The Certificates of Non Impediment needs to be translated into Italian by an official Italian translator . The cost for this will vary so ask your planner. In some parts of Italy there are also local taxes that have to be paid for the legal process. Remember to ask your planner what charges will apply and how this has to be paid. Then you will send the documents to your planner in Italy in plenty of time for them to organise the translation of the certificate of non impediment in preparation of the wedding. You are usually asked to attend the town hall in Italy a few days before the wedding. This varies from region to region so ask your planner what is required locally.

YOUR PLANNER WILL HELP GUIDE YOU

This is one of the many reasons why I believe that you should always have a wedding planner, especially one that speaks Italian. Making sure you have the correct documents is so important, so make sure that you ask about the support you will receive with this when choosing a planner.

I wish you luck with this stage, it is not as daunting as it may seem, especially if you have the help of a wedding planner.

If you would like to jump on a call to discuss the legal process or types of ceremony, perhaps you are thinking about a church wedding, and the paperwork does vary for that. CIAO BELLA CALL.

as always, written with love

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A MY SECRET ITALY WEDDING

Julie – My Secret Italy