NEW ZEALANDER CITIZENS GETTING MARRIED IN ITALY

• It is not possible for a couple to remarry each other in New Zealand if they have already been married overseas.
• If either party is divorced, the NZ Embassy in Rome needs to sight an original or certified copy of the decree nisi or order of dissolution of marriage. You are no longer required to present this to the Italian authorities and therefore no longer require a translation. This applies to orders of dissolution of marriage or decree nisis issued in New Zealand. If the document was issued by the Family court of Australia this must be presented, together with an official translation into Italian issued by the Italian Embassy in Canberra. Some Comuni will accept mention on our Nulla Osta of the divorce including dates and court of issue without their needing to actually sight the translation by the Italian Embassy, but we wouldneed to sight the original documents in order to insert information in the Nulla Osta. If it is the woman who is divorced, no less than 300 days should have passed since the decree nisi was issued for marriage in Italy.
• New Zealanders intending to arrange a marriage in Italy should expect final arrangements to take between 4 days and 1 week, varying according to location, to complete all arrangements once they have obtained a Nulla Osta from the NZ Embassy in Rome.

Documentation required, by the NZ Embassy in Rome

The Italian authorities require proof that foreigners intending to marry in Italy are not already married. This proof can be obtained by applying for a Certificate of No Impediment from The Registrar-Births Deaths and Marriages

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
47 Boulcott Street
WELLINGTON
New Zealand
(phone 04-570 6300 or facsimile 04 5665311)
Website: www.dia.govt.nz

It usually takes two weeks for the application to be processed. The processing fee is variable depending exchange currency rates. If you live in Italy and are unable to forward this to New Zealand the Embassy can forward the completed application form to the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages for you.

Once the Embassy receives the original copy of the Certificate of No Impediment, certified copies of the biodata pages of the person's NZ passport, and, if the person is divorced an original or certified copy of the drecree nisi or order of dissolution of marriage it can issue a document required by the Italian authorities called a Nulla Osta. This is issued in compliance with article 116 of the Italian Civil code. It contains information from the Certificate of No Impediment, and from the attached form (see below), which you both need to complete, sign and return to the Embassy. Please ensure you complete the section requesting an address in Italy, even if it is a temporary address, such as a hotel. When you return the completed form, you should attach a certified copy of the biopages of your, and your partner's, passports*. The Embassy requires originals.The completed form and certified passport pages should not be sent by facsimile. *Certified copies can be obtained from JP, solicitors, notaries or any person authorised to take statutory declarations.

When the Nulla Osta has been prepared we will advise you so that you may collect it, if this is what you have indicated. If not it will be sent to you or our agency by courier, providing courier charges have been paid beforehand. Please note documents cannot be sent directly to an Italian Comune, but have to be legalized at any Prefettura in Italy (something we can do on your behalf).

Embassy Fees
Contact the New Zealand Embassy to know the current fees. The fees should be sent (together with documentation) to the Embassy by a Euro bank draft - assegno circolare, made out to the New Zealand Embassy.

Validity of Nulla Osta
Validity of the Nulla Osta is 6 months but we recommend you get it legalized within 3 months from the date you receive it.

There is no requirement to have banns published in Italy providing neither of the two parties is a citizen or a resident of Italy or a EU country. However spouses are requested to present a sworn declaration before the civil registrar 2/3 days prior the wedding.

NEW ZEALAND EMBASSY IN ROME
Via Zara 28
00198 Rome
Tel. + 0039. (0)06.4417171