Jewish Marriage in Italy

The religious Jewish community in Italy is mostly Orthodox and couples wishing to marry in one of the historic synagogues of the country must be Orthodox and fulfill the religious requirements for Orthodox weddings.   Florence also marries Conservative couples.

The main synagogues of note are located in Venice and Trieste for the Northern part of Italy;  Florence and Rome in the center.

A donation is required and for Venice in particular this is expected to quite high. One of the finest synagogues in Italy is located in Florence. 

There are also some additional synagogues throughout the country.

Procedure:

The couple must send per mail or via fax a presentation letter, introducing themselves and asking for the possibility of getting married in the Synagogue. After that the Rabbi will let us know the availability of the Synagogue.

The couple must then produce the following documents:

• Certificate issued by an orthodox rabbi declaring that they are both Jewish and free to marry.
• If they are divorced the legal and religious Dissolution of Marriage is also required.
• Certificate issued by their rabbi (where they usually live) containing:
• The Jewish name of the declaring Rabbi
• The Jewish names of the couple (required in order to prepare the Ketuba, traditional Jewish marriage contract)
• Jewish names of their parents (if they are all Jewish it is possible to use their Ketuba)
• Birth certificates of the couple

The Florence Rabbi can also perform a legal marriage ceremony (civil paperwork will apply) but in Venice the ceremony is only a blessing.

Should you wish to celebrate a Jewish marriage in Italy in your own castle or villa somewhere in Italy we suggest that you consider flying over a rabbi from home.

Testimonial from Jewish couple that married in Italy