Can I have a civil marriage or a civil union?
Yes, via the form suited to your situation. You can marry with a civil marriage celebrated at the town hall by the civil registrar (or a religious marriage with civil effects). First the marriage banns are needed, checking for impediments. Same-sex couples can form a civil union (Cirinnà law, 2016), with rights and duties largely similar to marriage. There's also de facto cohabitation, which can be registered at the registry and grants some rights, and the cohabitation contract to govern property matters. To marry or form a civil union you need the requirements: being of age, marital freedom (not already married) and capacity.
📋 The rules
- Civil marriage at the town hall, after the banns
- Same-sex couples: civil union (Cirinnà law)
- De facto cohabitation registrable at the registry
- Cohabitation contract for property matters
- Requirements: being of age, marital freedom, capacity
🔓 Exceptions
- Foreigners: extra documents (no-impediment certificate, translations)
- Property regime: community (default) or separation of property
- Marriage in imminent danger of death: simplified procedure
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There are no "sanctions" for marrying: what can happen is that the banns or the ceremony are denied if requirements are missing, or that a simulated marriage (of convenience) emerges to obtain, e.g., a residence advantage, with legal consequences. Marrying or forming a civil union brings rights and duties (mutual maintenance, succession, property regime): it's wise to know them and, if you wish, choose separation of property or sign a cohabitation contract. Prepare the documentation and request the banns from the town hall in time.
📎 Official sources
- Normattiva · Civil Code (marriage, art. 84 ff.) →
- Normattiva · Law 76/2016 (civil unions and cohabitations) →
- Ministry of the Interior · Civil status and marriage →
❓ Frequently asked
How do you marry civilly?
With a civil marriage celebrated at the town hall by the civil registrar. First the marriage banns are needed, posted for a set period to check for impediments. Requirements of age, marital freedom and capacity apply.
Can same-sex couples marry?
They can form a civil union, introduced by the 2016 Cirinnà law, with rights and duties largely similar to marriage (maintenance, succession, property regime). The civil union is formed before the civil registrar with two witnesses.
What is de facto cohabitation?
It's the relationship between two adults stably bonded by affection, who can declare it at the registry. Registration grants some rights (e.g. in health and housing). A cohabitation contract can govern property matters.
Which property regime do I choose?
Unless otherwise chosen, marriage and civil union entail community of property. You can opt for separation of property, declaring it at the ceremony or later. The choice affects how assets bought are managed and divided.
Can two foreign citizens marry in Italy?
Yes, meeting the requirements and providing extra documents proving their marriage capacity and marital freedom (often with a no-impediment certificate from their country and translations). It's best to check with the town hall and, if needed, your consulate.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “civil marriage how it works”
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- “de facto cohabitation registration”
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