The publication of marriage announecemts (announcements intended to veryfy that there are no legal impediments to marriage) are mandatory for Italian citizens intending to marry in Italy, both for civil and religious ceremonies with civil effects.
At least one of the two betrothed individuals (engaged partners) must be an Italian citizen registered with the AIRE within the jurisdiction of this Consular Chancellery.
Non-Italian citizens intending to marry in Italy should contact their respective embassies in Italy to verify the steps and documents that their respective governments may require in addition.
You must schedule an appointment via email with the “Stato Civile” (Vital Records) Office (stcivile.washington@esteri.it), attaching copies of the information listed below, which must be presented in original form on the day of the appointment.
Marriage announcements will remain posted for 8 consecutive days on the online Consular Notice Board, by law; thereafter, after three days authorization for the celebration of the wedding in Italy will be granted and it will be valid for 180 days.
Both betrothed (engaged) individuals must appear at the scheduled appointment with their legal IDs (identity documents). It is important to note that the betrothed who is a non-Italian citizen must bring all the requested documentation in its original form.
Once the marriage certificate is issued, it will be transmitted directly to the relevant municipality where the marriage will be registered, in Italy.
Required documents and instructions
1. Marriage public announcement request form (click here), completed in full and signed by both betrothed individuals
2. Documents for both betrothed individuals:
For the Italian partner registered with the AIRE:
- Valid Italian passport
- Estratto per riassunto dell’atto di nascita (certified summary extract of the birth certificate), issued by the municipality of birth or registration
- Valid Italian identity document
For the U.S. partner:
- U.S. passport
- Proof of address (driver license, utility bill in his or her name, etc.)
- U.S. long-form birth certificate (including the city of birth) in original form with apostille
- Translation into Italian of the birth certificate (the apostille does not need to be translated)
- Notarial act (deed) to be requested from the Notary Office in the presence of two witnesses (to be paid before the publication of the banns)
For the foreign partner (non-U.S.) living in the United States:
- Passport with visa or permanent resident card (green card)
- Original birth certificate with apostille or consular legalization (excluding the European Union) and translation into Italian (if the original document is not in English; the translation must be certified by the local Italian consulate)
- Certificate of no impediment, issued by the competent authorities of the partner’s country of reference, issued no more than 6 months in advance to the appointment date, with apostille and translation certified by the local Italian consulate
- Notarial act (deed) to be requested from the Notary Office in the presence of two witnesses (to be paid before the publication of the impediments)
3. In the case of a religious wedding, a letter on the Italian church’s letterhead, stamped and signed by the priest who will be officiating the ceremony.
The letter must specify the complete personal details of the spouses, as well as the church and the date of the marriage.
4. Payment (see the consular fee table for the updated amount). The following consular fees must be paid for the publication of marriage announcements:
- Redazione del Processo Verbale, a seguito di richiesta di pubblicazioni
(Drafting of the Procès-verbal, following the request of the public announcements)
[Diritti Consolari Art. 67] - Richiesta di pubblicazioni al comune italiano
(Request for the public announcements to the Italian municipality)
[Diritti Consolari Art. 67] - Atto di pubblicazioni di matrimonio con affissione all’albo consolare
(Act of marriage public announcement with posting on the consular notice board)
[Diritti Consolari Art. NAA ed Art. 03] - Certificato di eseguite pubblicazioni
(Certificate of completed publication of the marriage announcements)
[Art. 02C]
February 2, 2026