B24: What kind of information is on an Italian marriage certificate
and how do I obtain it from Italy?
Marriage Certificate (Atto della Solenne Promessa di Celebrare il Matrimonio)
According to John P. Colletta, in his book Finding Italian Roots,
the bride and groom, along with four witnesses, had to appear before the
recorder of vital records (ufficiale dello stato civile) of the town where
the marriage took place. The record usually contains:
- Date of the appearance in the town hall
About the groom:
- Name of groom
- Age of groom
- Birthplace of groom
- Profession of groom
- Place of residence of groom
- Father of groom’s name
- Father of groom’s age
- Father of groom’s profession
- Father of groom’s place of residence
- Mother of groom’s maiden name
- Mother of groom’s age
- Mother of groom’s place of residence
About the bride:
- Name of bride
- Age of bride
- Birthplace of bride
- Place of residence of bride
- Father of bride’s name
- Father of bride’s age
- Father of bride’s profession
- Father of bride’s place of residence
- Mother of bride’s maiden name
- Mother of bride’s age
- Mother of bride’s place of residence
About the witnesses:
- Names of each of the four witnesses
- Ages of each of the f our witnesses
- Professions of each of the four witnesses
- Places of residence of each of the four witnesses
If the bride or groom is a widow or widower this will also be stated,
sometimes with the name of the former spouse included. Those principals
present when the act was recorded would sign their names at the end, if
they could write. In many towns, the above information was written on the
left side of the act and a brief record of the sacramental union which
followed in the church, was recorded on the left. This often was only the
date and parish of the marriage.