Contents

• Check eligibility and the documents you need
• Get a certificate of no impediment at an embassy or consulate
• Get a certificate of no impediment by post
• Proof that you’re living in or staying in the country before giving notice
• If you’ve been married or in a civil partnership before

Check eligibility and the documents you need

Check the laws in Italy to make sure you can get married or register a same-sex civil partnership. Your marriage or civil partnership will be recognised in the UK if:

• you follow the correct process according to the law in Italy
• it would be allowed under UK law

The person conducting your ceremony or relevant local authority can help you understand the processes you need to follow to get married or register a same-sex civil partnership, including what documents you’ll need.

If you’re a woman who has been divorced for less than 300 days contact the Italian authorities to understand whether you can get married or form a civil partnership.

Certificate of no impediment (CNI)

To get a certificate of no impediment (CNI), British nationals need to apply online and either attend an appointment at the British Embassy Rome or visit a notary in Italy and post certain documents to the British Embassy Rome. A CNI is a legal document that states that no barriers (called impediments) to your marriage or civil partnership have been shown to exist.

Marriage registration

Marriages that take place abroad according to another country’s law are not added to UK records. Your marriage will be registered in Italy instead. The person conducting your ceremony can tell you how to get a marriage certificate. You will not be able to register at or get a certificate from a UK register office, or British embassy or consulate. Keep your marriage certificate as evidence of your marriage. You may want to get it translated, especially if you want to use it outside Italy. Find a qualified translator.

If your partner is a British national

They should check what documentation they need with the person conducting your ceremony or relevant local authority and apply online themselves.

If your partner is not a British national or a national of Italy

Your partner should contact their national embassy to find out what they need to get married or register a same-sex civil partnership in Italy.