San Marino to consider recognition of out-of-state Same-Sex Marriage

Monte Titano

The oldest republic in the world, San Marino, is now considering the recognition of the marriages of gay couples contracted abroad. 

On Sunday Federico Podeschi filed an Istanza d'Arengo (Initiative of the Council) in Palazzo Pubblico (the Government body of San Marino) which will recognize the marriages of same-sex couples contracted abroad. 


Podeschi was the San Marino consul in Wales and on March 29 he married his Welsh partner Darren Williams. They were the first couple in Wales to enjoy the new English and Welsh legislation commenced that day.

The istanza is now before the two Reggenti (Governors) of San Marino who have a month to approve or reject the initiative. If approved the initiative would be introduced in the Consiglio Grande e Generale (San Marino legislature) and then the istanza will face a vote. 

The mandate of the Reggenti lasts only 6 months so in October San Marino will elect another two governors (and then in April 2015). If the two Reggenti reject the istanza the citizenry of San Marino could file the same initiative the first Sunday after the October elections.

San Marino decriminalizes same-sex sexual acts only in 2004 and in 2012 the legislature approved a bill that grant visa rights to the foreign partner of a cohabitant couple. 

Federico Podeschi and Darren Williams