Hithis is a wedding question. Does

Hi, to get married in Italy, if you are American, as I assume, you need to produce an affidavit sworn before an American consular officer commissioned in Italy stating that that there is no legal impediment to the marriage. You also need a valid passport and a birth certificate. You don't need an official interpreter for the wedding.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with the above advice. Marriage is a legally binding contract and if one or both parties do not master the language in which the ceremony is performed, this would constitute sufficient grounds for an annulment. If you were to buy a property, the notary will need to ascertain that you fully understand the terms of the contract. Interpreting and translating are both recognised professions and you should always use accredited professionals. 

Thanks for the replies but I forgot to say we are both British living in the uk...

Actually I am an italian who married in Italy an American citizen. Even though I was a party to the contract they let me translate for my husband and I am not an official interpreter.  Even if you decide to buy an house you can choose a friend for the translation as long as that person is able to speak fluently both languages. The same rule applies to weddings. 

Aletori, I do hope that everything is Ok in your marriage, because you broke the most basic rule in the marriage contract "one of the parties cannot interpret for the other party" and your husband could have sufficient grounds to request not only a divorce, but an annulment. Granted that it is not your fault, whoever performed the ceremony is responsible for accepting this. In any case, technically it is wrong, although sometimes in Italy things are not very clear. I have found several versions of what is needed to get married in Italy, in the case of foreigners. In my opinion, the most comprehensive is the one given by the Australian Embassy, and the law does not put specific requirements according to different nationalities. I have problems pasting the link, but search Australian Embassy Italy Marriages and you will find the text. Vesparina, my advice would be to contact whoever is performing your ceremony and ask the authorities to tell you what you need to do. By the way, I used to be a Justice of the Peace and an accredited interpreter/translator. I do know what I am talking about.

we wish you all the best of luck, let us know how it goes! 

Ahh thank you. It does look very complicated! I will be in liguria in 4 weeks so I will go to the comune and ask them direct....

This is the best way to go, Vesparina. The Comune is the one that has to confirm their requirements, as they are the ones who are going to celebrate the ceremony. Relax! I am sure that they will help you. But it is always better to check with the local authorities to avoid last minute problems. In any case, I wish you luck and all the best.

I thought that I had to give some further information about the current situation in Italy for official interpreters and translators and it is not a brilliant one as stated by A European association; however, positive steps are being taken and I am certain that official accreditation will be introduced very soon. In any case, whenever you need to use the services of an interpreter or translator, make sure that you are using the best available person for the job. Both interpreting and translating are recognized professions in many countries and practitioners must hold not only a degree in the relevant language(s), but also post-graduate training in those specific fields. There are also degrees offered by many universities in either translating or interpreting (and by the way, they are different professions, although we can also have oral translation...). In any case, I must insist that interpreting or translating whenever you are a party in any contract is not acceptable and you do not need to read the Translator/Interpreter  Code of Ethics to realize this. It is a matter of elementary common sense.   

Thanks for all the advice it does seem overwhelming!

I am pleased to say that the comune have all the documents so we are set to go for the end of the month. They are happy that my Italian friend will be interpreting for us and she does not have to be a legal translator etc. thanks for al the advice 

What a load of twaddle.  First of all, there is an albo for interpreters - it is the albo of esperti at the CCIAASecondly - there is no requirement for an official interpreter for a marriage service.  Anyone who can translate Italian to the understood language is fine, but they must swear to do it properly beforehand in the anagrafe office.  It is a serious thing to undertake,   Its a civil service and ITian law requires that the respondees understand what they are about to sign - but you do not need an ' official court translator'.  By the same token the tranlsator needs to be 'independent'.  Thats it - have a great time!  

Vesparina 65, it is great to know that everything has been sorted out and I send you my very best wishes. One extra piece of advice, ask the Comune to affix the Apostille to your marriage certificate. Both the UK and Italy are signataries of the Hague Conventions and the Apostille replaces the old legalisation procedure. Your certificate will then fully acceptable in the UK (or in any country being a signatary of the Convention).Also, I appreciate Modicasa's intervention. I already posted an answer stating which bodies and associations could be contacted in Italy whenever there was a need for an interpreter or translator. Actually, it is not true that these are not recognized professions in Italy. Prestigious Italian Universities such as La Sapienza or Verona offer degrees in those fields. It is regrettable that, for unknown reasons, my post was deleted. I would also like to post the link concerning weddings in Italy, which I originally mentioned. http://www.italy.embassy.gov.au/rome/Marriage.html May I draw your attention to the N.B. paragraph stating that "spouses cannot act as witnesses or interpreters". This type of restriction also applies to beneficiaries in a will. And this rule applies internationally. The link, although intended for Australian citizens getting married in Italy, would be very helpful to most other English speakers, as the explanations given are very clear. I trust that this will help.