The marriage laws in Italy are the same nationwide. However, you'll find that some cities like Florence waive some wedding regulations because of the high number of destination weddings they perform.

Florence waives the regulation that the couple provide birth certificates IF the marriage is between two US or Canadian citizens. Americans/Canadians who marry in Italy must arrive with two witnesses at least four days before the ceremony at Florence's Civil Registrar in the Palazzo Vecchio to make a declaration of their intention to marry.

When appearing at the Civil Registrar, you'll need to show the following documents:

• The Nulla Osta: this is a notarized oath which states that there is no reason the couple cannot be married as defined by US/Canada marriage laws. This statement must be notarized by the American/Canadian consulate in Italy.
• Valid U.S. / Canada passports for the bride and groom
• a notarial fee of $50.00 is charged
• the Consul's signature on this document is then authenticated by the Ufficio Legalizzazione at the Prefettura of any province in Tuscany or Emilia-Romagna, except Parma and Piacenza. This office in Florence is found at Via Giacomini 8 (telephone 055.278.3562), and the office is opened from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
• couples also need to purchase a Marca da Bollo or administrative fee stamp for Euro 10.33. This stamp can be purchased in a Tabacchi or tobacco shop; the couple presents the stamp to the clerk at the Ufficio Legalizzazione for each document to be authenticated. Note: a "Nulla Osta" done at the embassy in Rome is not accepted at the Comune in Florence.
• an Atto Notorio, an oath of the American/Canadian citizen sworn to in the presence of two witnesses and notarized by an Italian Consulate in the U.S. or Canada. This document is obtained before the trip and states that there is no legal reason the couple cannot be married under US/Canada laws. You can obtain the form at the nearest Italian Consulate.
• Also, a second administrative stamp must be purchased, the "Marche per atti giudiziari."Also purchased in a tobacco shop, this stamp costs €28.92
• Birth certificate (although Florence may waive this requirement) which should show the names of both parents.
• if the bride or groom are under age 18, they must have a sworn statement of consent to the marriage by the parents or legal guardian of an American citizen under 18 [Note: any documents must be translated into Italian.]
• if either of you has been previously married, you must provide legal evidence of divorce, annulment, or certificate of death. [There is a 300 day waiting period after divorce or dissolution of marriage before you can marry again.]
• once all the paperwork's final, banns are posted in the City Hall for two consecutive Sundays before the marriage. [This requirement can be waived if neither of you is Italian and neither is residing in Italy.]

Florence and the surrounding Tuscany region have many beautiful wedding locations. Many couples marry in a civil ceremony at Ponte Vecchio's beautiful "Red Room." Ceremonies here will be performed in Italian so you will need a translator if you do not speak Italian.

Your marriage will be accepted as legal in the US and Canada but, if you'd like to go an extra step, you may have your marriage certificate authenticated with an Apostille. Take your certificate to the the same office that authenticated the Consul's signature in the city where your marriage was performed and ask that an Apostille on the certificate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The Embassy of Italy
275 Slater St, 21st Fl.
Ottawa, ON. K1P 5H9
Tel: 613-232-2401 Fax: 613-233-1484

Italian Government Tourist Board
175 Bloor St. E, Suite 907, S Tower
Toronto, ON. M4W 3R8
Tel: 416-925-4882 Fax: 416-925-4799

It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Italian Republic and its consulates, for up-to-date information. These requirements are subject to change at any time.

A Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Italy, and it should be valid for at least three months beyond the date of the expected departure from this country.

Canadians staying in Italy for more than 90 days, may be asked to prove the reasons and duration of their stay, as well as proofs of sufficient funds, accommodation and/or a return ticket. Travellers should have more than one source of funds (i.e., cash, traveller's cheques, credit card, client card with a four or five-digit PIN code).