American citizens who wish to be married in Italy must obtain the documents listed below and follow the procedure described:
1. An American passport or American Armed Forces identification card.
2. A sworn statement by parents or legal guardian (s) consenting to the marriage if the American citizen is under 18.
3. Certified copy of the birth certificate and, if applicable, a final divorce (s) decree (s) showing the names of both parents and, if applicable, a final divorce decree. The signature of the County Clerk on the copy must be legalized with an “Apostille” from the Office of the Secretary. All the above certificates must be professionally translated. The fee for certification of translations is approximately $ 6 – 8 per page. (see list of translators).
(The Apostille is the legalization provided by the Office of the Secretary of State of the State where the document/certificate is issued. Such legalization is necessary for the document to be valid in Italy. The Secretary of State is located in the Capital of each State).
4. Dichiarazione giurata (Sworn statement). This is a statement, sworn to by the American citizen at one of the U.S. Consulates in Italy (list enclosed), stating that the Undersigned is free to marry and that there is no legal impediment to his/her marriage. The citizen’s passport or other evidence of citizenship must be shown.
5. Atto Notorio (Attested Affidavit). This is a notarial deed in addition to the sworn statement described above, in which two people over 18, not related to either the applicants (the “testifiers” or “attesters”), testify under oath before an Italian Consul – or in Italy at a Pretura Civile – that, according to the laws to which the citizen is subject in the USA, there is no legal obstacle to his/her marriage. This affidavit cost is around $20.00. THE VALIDITY OF THIS DOCUMENT IS ONLY 90 DAYS.
6. A declaration, sworn to by the U.S. citizen before an American Consular Officer in Italy, stating that according to the laws to which the citizen is subject in the United States there is no obstacle to his/her marriage in Italy. Please call the U.S. Consulate nearest to the city in Italy where you intend to get married at the phone numbers provided below to schedule an appointment.
Rome: United States Embassy,
Via Vittorio Veneto 119A, 00187
Tel. (06) 46741 Fax (06) 488-2672;
Florence: U.S. Consulate General,
Lungarno A. Vespucci 38, 50123
Tel (055) 239-8276 Fax (055) 284-088;
Milan: U.S. Consulate General,
Via Principe Amedeo 2/10, 20121
Tel (02) 290-04559 Fax (02) 290-01165;
Naples: U.S. Consulate General,
Piazza della Repubblica, 80122
Tel (081) 583-8111 Fax (081) 761-1869
Please note that all the documents above stated must be translated into Italian and the translation certified by the Italian Consulate.
In order to obtain an “Atto Notorio” issued by this Consulate applicants must schedule an appointment by giving at least two weeks’ notice.
To request an Atto Notorio please fill out the information sheet you will find at the end of this page and send it back to this Office by fax at 415 931 7205 along with your phone number. After sending the information you will be called by a Consular Officer in charge of the appointment.
7. Civil Ceremony for non-resident U.S. Citizens: Bring the two documents to the Marriage Office (Ufficio Matrimoni) of the Comune. You will be given an appointment to return in two or three days with two witnesses and an interpreter to make a declaration of intention to marry (Promessa di matrimonio). Request a marriage certificate at this time, if you need it immediately after the ceremony.
8. Civil Ceremony for resident U.S. Citizens: Request at the Circoscrizione (City Hall District Office) where you have your residence a certificate of residency (certificato di residenza) and a free-status certificate (ceritificato di stato libero) on revenue paper (Carta da civil banns or pubblicazioni) at the Comune are required if one of the parties is Italian or if the U.S. citizen is a resident of Italy. They must be posted for two weeks including two consecutive Sundays. The civil ceremony is performed in the City Hall in the presence of two witnesses and an interpreter.
9. Religious Ceremony: Bring the two documents directly to the priest who will officially register the marriage with the City Hall within five days. The Roman Catholic Church requires also baptismal and confirmation certificates. Ceremonies performed at Non-Roman Catholic churches require a civil ceremony as well; which normally has to be performed before the church marriage in order to ensure their legality. Persons planning a religious ceremony should consult the Priest, Minister, or Rabbi as far in advance of the ceremony as possible.
An alien who marries an Italian does not automatically become an Italian citizen. However, an American citizen with a valid U.S. passport (or USAF IC) may enter Italy without a visa and is entitled to stay for three months.
INFORMATION SHEET TO BE SENT TO THIS CONSULATE TO REQUEST AN “ATTO NOTORIO”
APPLICANT: (GROOM)
. First and last name (as they appear on the birth certificate):
. Date of birth:
. Place of birth (city and state):
. Marital status:
. Previous marriages:
. Full current address:
. Home phone:
. Work Phone:
APPLICANT: (BRIDE)
. First and last name (as they appear on the birth certificate):
. Date of birth:
. Place of birth (city and state):
. Citizenship:
. Marital status:
. Previous marriages:
. Full current address:
. Home phone:
. Work Phone:
WITNESS N. 1:
. First and last name:
. Date of birth:
. Place of birth:
. Place of birth (city and state):
. Full current address:
. Citizenship:
WITNESS N. 2
. First and last name:
. Date of birth:
. Place of birth (city and state):
. Full current address:
. Citizenship:
The above information must be typewritten or clearly printed and all documents in English (except for passport and I.D.’s) must be accompanied by a professional translation into Italian (pls. see list). We do not accept translations utilizing a computer program to translate.
Personal checks or credit cards are not accepted at this Consulate General: please bring enough cash to pay for Consular fees (fee is approximately dollars 50.00).