Marriage is a magical and unforgettable moment in a couple's life, an occasion to celebrate love and commitment to each other. Many couples-to-be have to choose between a religious or civil wedding. While religious marriage may have a deep spiritual meaning for some people, civil marriage offers a solid legal basis for your union. Civil marriage is legally recognised and provides numerous benefits, such as protecting marital rights and responsibilities and sharing resources and tax benefits.

Civil marriage is a growing trend: more and more couples are deciding to forego the religious rite to celebrate exclusively the civil ceremony. The civil rite produces effects solely for State law and is governed by national law. Celebrating civil marriages falls under the Mayor's responsibility as a Government Official when he/she exercises his functions as Civil Registrar. These functions may be delegated to one or more municipal council members or town councillors and to Italian citizens entitled to be elected as municipal council members.

 

Where civil marriage may be celebrated

The civil marriage celebration must take place within the Municipal House of the Municipality of residence or in another municipality. The ceremony can also be held in venues other than the Municipal House, but in any case, identified and selected by the Municipality itself.

 

Civil marriage: documents and paperworks 

The procedure envisaged may differ from one municipality to another, so we recommend contacting the offices of your city of residence to know the exact steps. In an application to celebrate a civil marriage, you must submit the following documents:

  • Request for publication at the Civil Registry Office;
  • Valid identity document.
  • Self-certification with personal information

The request for publication has to be made by the couple (or by a third party authorised to do so using a power of attorney issued in a private deed or by the person exercising parental responsibility or guardianship for minors between the ages of 16 and 18) to the civil registrar of the civil-status office of the civil-status district in the municipality of residence of the bride and groom. The act of publication is posted on the municipality's website for at least eight consecutive days.

 

The civil marriage procedure

The civil marriage takes place in front of the civil registrar in charge. The latter, wearing the Mayor's distinctive tricolour sash, will read the articles of the Civil Code defining the rights and duties that the bride and groom are about to assume by marriage. These articles read to the bride and groom and the two designated witnesses, in particular, are Articles 143 (Mutual rights and duties of the spouses), 144 (Address of family life and family residence) and 147 (Duties towards children) of the Civil Code. The officer hears the bride and groom's declarations that they wish to contract marriage, declares them joined in matrimony and accepts, if necessary, any further statements concerning the choice of the matrimonial regime of separation of property. The rite concludes with the signing the civil marriage certificate by the bride and groom and witnesses. Civil marriage is a relatively quick ceremony, which leaves little room for the emotional aspects typical of such a meaningful ceremony, even in its solemnity. This is why it could be a beautiful and involving choice to combine the civil marriage celebration with a symbolic rite in a location such as Al Chiar di Luna before the wedding party to share a moment of great emotion and suggestion with one's guests.


Choose Al Chiar di Luna to celebrate your symbolic rite

Al Chiar di Luna is a superb setting for an unforgettable symbolic ceremony. It is a place that combines natural beauty with elegance and charm in a delightful and refined atmosphere. 
Moreover, Al Chiar di Luna also guarantees top-quality services to offer you a perfect wedding in every respect. The experienced and attentive staff will take care of every detail, ensuring that each wedding moment is flawless. From planning to decoration, with passion and professionalism, we will tailor every aspect to the smallest detail.
Al Chiar di Luna: the ideal place to start your journey as a couple.