CIVIL UNION BETWEEN SAME-SEX COUPLES (Law n. 76 / 2016)

In accordance to Law n. 76 of May 20th 2016 and its related regulations (DPCM n. 144 of July 23rd 2016), it is also possible to establish civil unions between same-sex couples overseas.
In accordance with the above mentioned Law:
• It is possible to establish a civil union between a same-sex couple, in which at least one person possesses Italian citizenship and resides in the area of consular territorial competence wherein the request is lodged. For further details on the procedure and required documentation, please contact the consular office of territorial competence.
• Similarly to what is prescribed for the registration of other vital statistics certificates, the Italian citizen who has entered into a same-sex marriage or civil union overseas – where prescribed by the local protocol and even prior to Law 76/2016 entering into force – is required to submit the certificate to the consular office of territorial competence for transcription in Italy’s provisional registry for civil unions. The original certificate will have to be legalized by the Apostille of the 1961 Hague Convention (or by consular legalization wherein the issuing country has not adhered to said Convention), translated into the Italian language, and legalized furthermore by the Italian Consulate competent in the area issuing the certificate.
• If prescribed by the local protocol, Italian citizens who intend to enter into a same-sex marriage or establish a same-sex civil union before foreign Authorities, can be issued with a certificate of marital capacity or permission to establish a civil union by the consular offices competent in their residential area. In this case as well, it is vital for the applicant to submit the certificate in question, for transcription purposes in Italy.
For further details and information, please contact consolato.brisbane@esteri.it