REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIANS
Italian law requires Non Italians wishing to be married in Italy to present a “Nulla Osta” (Certificate of non Impediment) or equivalent documentation.
The Canadian Government does not issue “Nulla Osta“. However, to assist Canadians to meet the Italian requirements, the Canadian Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan both prepare a declaration containing the relevant information.
To obtain this declaration a Canadian Citizen must first complete and swear an Affidavit to the effect that there is no impediment to the proposed marriage. The affidavit can be sworn in front of a notary public in Canada or a consular official at the Consulate.
If the affidavit is to be made at the Canadian Consulate the applicant should fill out the appropriate form and bring and present the following documents:
- Valid Canadian passport
- Proof of Canadian citizenship – Canadian birth certificate or Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.
(If you were born in Québec: Only birth certificates issued on or after January 1, 1994, by “Le Directeur de l’état civil” in the province of Québec are accepted)
- Complete details of the future spouse (full name, date and place of birth, residence, father’s name and mother’s maiden name)
- Final divorce decree or death certificate of previous spouse (if divorced or widowed)
- Parents’ consent (if the person is under marriageable age)
Please note that, a woman whose previous marriage was terminated within the last 300 days had to obtain a waiver from the competent “Procura della Repubblica” in Italy (Court) in order to marry in Italy. The declaration issued by the Embassy or Consulate General must then be presented to the competent “Prefettura Ufficio Legalizzazioni” (provincial authority) to be formally authenticated.
Your wedding planner will take care of the legalization and each ‘Nulla Osta’ requires a revenue stamp of Euro 16. We will assist in picking up the final Nulla Osta for you so you do not have to go to the Canadian Consulate here in Italy.
We can also verify with the Canadian Consulate if the papers are complete and correct to let you obtain the “Canadian declaration- Nulla Osta” so we ask you to send all the originals to the Canadian Embassy, in Rome or Milan; so they can prepare your document.
This document will then be authenticated by our staff for you at the “Prefettura office– Ufficio Legalizzazioni“. Once the declaration has been obtained and legalized, it is presented to the marriage Office of the Municipality in Italy and therefore Banns are waived.
The Municipal authorities will request the couple to return (usually in 2 or 3 days) with 2 witnessesPLUS an interpreter to execute a Declaration before the “Ufficiale dello Stato Civile” (Registrar of Vital Statistics) of the Municipality. Arrangements are then concluded.
Two witnesses PLUS an interpreter (if necessary) must be present at the civil marriage ceremonyalso.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Roman Catholic Religious Ceremonies
In the case of a religious marriage ceremony to be performed at a Roman Catholic Church, the document issued by the Embassy or the Consulate General, duly legalized by the competent Prefettura, should be presented to the Parish Priest in Italy, in addition to all documents required by the Church.
The Parish Priest shall arrange for the registration of the religious marriage with the competent Italian Vital Statistics authorities. The marriage must be so registered in order to have civil value in Italy.
Consular fees
Consular fees for the applications, both submitted at the Embassy or sent by mail, must be made by non-transferrable bank draft (assegno circolare non trasferibile) payable to the Canadian Embassy. Cash is not accepted. The fees are not refundable.
