Certificate of no impediment to marriage

The certificate of no impediment to marriage (nulla osta to marriage) attests that the Italian citizen may marry in accordance with Italian law. It is required by the Spanish Registro Civil for the celebration of a marriage in Spain. The Firm handles the application and the dispatch of the certificate to the client's address.

Competent authority

• The consulate, for citizens registered with AIRE in its consular district.
• The town hall of residence, for citizens resident in Italy.

The certificate is issued pursuant to the Munich Convention of 5 September 1980. For persons registered with AIRE, publication of the banns is not required.

Difference from the single status certificate

The single status certificate merely attests to the absence of an existing marriage bond; the certificate of no impediment to marriage attests to the absence of impediments to the celebration of the marriage and is the document required in order to marry in Spain.

Required documentation

• Italian citizen: AIRE registration, valid Italian identity document, multilingual birth record, certificate of residence dated no more than three months earlier; in the event of a previous marriage, the divorce judgment or the annotated marriage record.
• Prospective spouse of another nationality: legalised and translated birth record, single status certificate, certificate of residence and identity document; in the event of divorce, the annotated judgment.

It is advisable to send the application well in advance of the date of the appointment at the Registro Civil.

Validity, timescales and costs

The certificate is valid for six months. Issue times and consular fees vary depending on the competent consulate. The Firm issues a detailed, no-obligation quote.

Consular services

Sources: Munich Convention of 5/9/1980 (CIEC no. 20) · Information pages of the Italian consulates on marriage. Information only, updated September 2026.