Marriage to a foreign partner in Italy: why many couples choose Georgia (and how to have the marriage recognized by your comune)

Who this option is for and when to consider Georgia

In theory, it is possible to register a marriage with a foreign partner in any country. In practice, however, there are situations where trying to navigate Italian bureaucracy can feel almost hopeless. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compared these two countries so you can clearly see whether Italy or Georgia is the better choice for registering a marriage with a foreign partner.

Which option suits you best?

Even with the most flexible laws, there are cases where professional assistance is essential to ensure the registration process doesn’t stall or stretch out over months. If your situation falls into one of the categories below, it’s wise to consult an expert before planning your wedding:

1. Complex divorce: If one spouse has previously been married and divorced in a third country, you must ensure that all court decisions are properly recognized and legalized.
2. Children from previous marriages: Custody matters and surname changes require meticulous documentation to avoid future issues with family law in Italy.
3. Different jurisdictions: When your documents were issued in countries that are not part of the Hague Convention.

These challenges do not prevent you from getting married, but they do require careful attention and legal knowledge. You can consult a specialist in Italy or reach out to us. We will answer all your questions and provide a clear picture of the real possibilities for registering your marriage in Georgia while living in Italy.

Wedding planning at Chateau Buera (Georgia, Kakheti) for a couple from Italy by Kate&Co Weddings wedding agency

Why getting married in Italy to a foreign partner can be difficult

Italy is a country of love, but it is certainly not a country of fast marriage registration. If you plan to marry a foreign national in Italy, be prepared for the state to want to know everything about you – and then some.

Key legal requirements

• Nulla Osta (Certificate of no impediment): According to Article 116 of the Italian Civil Code, a foreign national must prove that their home country does not object to the marriage. The Nulla Osta is the main document requested by the Ufficiale di Stato Civile (civil registry officer) and is issued only by your country’s consulate in Italy. In 2026, appointments at consulates of many countries – especially the USA, the UK, CIS countries, and Brazil – can take months. Without the original certificate, legalized by the Prefecture, the Comune has no legal right to even begin the process, making it extremely difficult to complete a marriage with a foreign partner in Italy quickly.
• Marriage banns (Pubblicazioni di matrimonio): Italian law requires couples to publish notice of their marriage on the Comune’s website for at least 8–11 days (including two Sundays). Many Comuni refuse to accept documents from couples where both partners are non-residents, citing internal regulations – even though the law formally allows it.
• Language barrier and certified interpreter: Law DPR 396/2000 strictly requires that if one of the future spouses does not speak Italian, a certified interpreter must be present at all stages. Without this, your marriage to a foreign national in Italy cannot be legally registered.
• Waiting periods and “forbidden times” for women: According to Article 89 of the Italian Civil Code, a woman cannot remarry until at least 300 days have passed since the end of her previous marriage. Georgia has no such restriction, making it an ideal choice for those who have recently completed a divorce.
• Unpredictability of different Comuni: Despite the unified Civil Code, requirements for document legalization (apostille or consular certification) can vary by region. A single mistake on a stamp can force you to start the entire process over.

This is why the experts at Kate&Co Weddings recommend avoiding these bureaucratic hurdles. Instead of adjusting to the schedule of Italian officials and struggling to organize a marriage with a foreign partner in Italy, it is far simpler to register the union in Georgia. The process there is transparent, and afterwards you can simply notify your Comune of the marriage through the transcription procedure.

Official marriage registration in Batumi for a couple from Italy (Italian citizen + Ukrainian citizen)

Why Georgia is often easier for marrying a foreign partner

Choosing Georgia is not just about avoiding bureaucracy – it’s a pragmatic decision. While the Italian system requires extensive proof of your personal eligibility, Georgian law is built on the principle of maximum facilitation. The central hub here is the House of Justice, a modern facility where marriages are registered under a standardized procedure that eliminates human discretion – the very obstacle many couples face in Italy. The main reason why getting married in Georgia is simpler than in Italy lies in the radical simplification of documentation. There is no need to request certificates from consulates or prove residency.

Required documents for marriage in Georgia

The basic documents for foreigners marrying in Georgia are among the shortest internationally:

• Passports of both partners (at Kate&Co Weddings, we take care of notarized translation on site).
• Divorce or death certificate of a previous spouse, if applicable (apostille required).
• No certificates of income, family composition, or health status.

This simplicity directly affects processing time. While in Italy you are bound by marriage banns and limited dates in the Comune months in advance, in Georgia everything can be completed within days. We organize the process so that the registration itself takes only 15–20 minutes, and legalization of the certificate for use in Italy takes just one working day.

Why this solution is ideal for international couples

For those living across two countries or without permanent residency in Italy, Georgia becomes the only legal way to quickly formalize a marriage. This is convenient because:

1. Tourist status is sufficient for marriage registration (no residency or local registration required).
2. Different citizenships don’t complicate the process: requirements are the same whether you are from the USA, Ukraine, or Brazil.
3. No waiting period: you can marry immediately after a divorce, without waiting the 300 days required by Italian law.

In short, by choosing Sakartvelo (Georgia) and working with our agency, you gain not just a beautiful ceremony, but a legally recognized marriage in the shortest possible time. You arrive in Georgia as tourists and return to Italy as legally married spouses, with a certificate ready for recognition by your Comune.

Panorama Kakheti Resort – the top location in Georgia for weddings among couples from Italy

Georgia vs Italy – a comparison

When a couple faces the choice of whether to navigate the Italian administrative system or get married in Georgia, the numbers and facts speak for themselves. To make an informed decision, we have compared the key parameters of both jurisdictions. While Italy in 2026 remains committed to traditional, slow bureaucracy, Georgia has prioritized digitalization and accessibility for foreigners. The table below provides a clear overview of what each path entails:

As the comparison shows, attempting to handle everything independently in Italy often turns into a full-time task of collecting documents, where any mistake leads to wasted time and money. If your goal is a legally recognized union without needing to navigate complex laws or coordinate with consular schedules, getting married in Georgia is the most practical solution.