Civil status documents whose entries are translated into the official language of another country. It is issued free of charge by the city hall.
Formality consisting, after verification of the quality, seal and signature of the author of an act, in affixing on the act a stamp, called an apostille. This formality certifies the origin and signature of the document but does not confirm its content.
Magistrate at the head of the public prosecutor's office (or public prosecutor's office). It is the recipient of complaints and reports. It conducts investigations, prosecutions and enforces the law.
You are French and you want to marry a French or a person of foreign nationality abroad? It's best to do it several months in advance, because it takes time to get some documents. After marriage, you will in some cases have to take steps to have your union recognized in France. We present you with the information you need to know.
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Marriage is celebrated by a local authorityaccording to the rules of the country concerned.
But the French authorities exercise control before and after the wedding, in particular to check that you are all 2 present at the ceremony.
in rare cases, your wedding can be celebrated in an embassy or consulate of France. The rules are then the same as for a marriage in France.
Unfold allWho can celebrate the wedding?
Depending on the country where you wish to marry, the marriage can be celebrated by one of the following authorities:
To check which authorities are responsible, contact the French Embassy or Consulate.
In many countries, the local authority will not be able to marry you to a person of the same sex.
You are future same-sex spouses and you reside in a country that does not allow your marriage.
If at least one of you 2 has French nationality, you can apply to be married by the French consular authorities.
If this is not possible, you can get married in one of the following municipalities:
If no commune meets these criteria, you can marry in the French commune of your choice.
What are the pre-marriage procedures with the French authorities?
You must meet the same conditions as for a wedding in France.
Two steps are needed: the application for a certificate of capacity to marry and the mandatory publication of bananas.
You must also check with the local foreign authority the conditions to be fulfilled for your marriage to be celebrated in this country.
As a Frenchman, you must apply for marriage certificate at the embassy or consulate of France where you are getting married.
You must provide the following:
Additional proof may be required depending on your situation.
You must also provide a copy of the birth certificate of each of you 2.
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You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the parentage of less than 3 months.
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.
You must apply for your birth certificate from the Central Civil Registry Service.
You can use the following teleservice:
If you are a refugee or stateless person , you must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.
You must request the document from the Ofpra : titleContent , who has issued the certificate that is your birth certificate.
You can use the following teleservice:
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate was issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of birth certificates. In this case, you must provide a certificate issued by your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority of your country of origin) stating that this is not updated.
If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
It is possible to provide multilingual birth certificate .
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate was issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of birth certificates.
In this case, you must provide a certificate issued by your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority of your country of origin) stating that this is not updated.
If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
It is possible to provide multilingual birth certificate .
Depending on the country of origin, one of the following formalities may also be necessary:
Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
The diplomatic or consular officer proceed to your hearing municipality.
It may also hold separate hearings.
If necessary, the French Embassy (or Consulate) may entrust the hearing to one of the following authorities:
Banking publication is required for 10 days (unless waived).
It is done in one of the following locations:
The embassy (or consulate of France) will give you your marriage certificate if your marriage meets the requirements of French law, after publication of the reports.
The ceremony can only take place after the 10-day period has elapsed.
How to find out about the applicable matrimonial regime?
You must contact the Embassy (or Consulate of France) to obtain the following information:
In the case of a marriage performed by a foreign authority, the rules in each country are very varied.
Some rules may be unfavorable or restrictive.
You can also ask a notary.
Under what conditions is marriage recognized in France?
For your marriage to be fully recognized in France, the marriage certificate must be recorded in the civil registration records of the embassy or consulate from France where you were married.
The transcription consists in recording in the French registers the indications contained in the marriage certificate drawn up by the foreign authority who married you.
This transcript is not mandatory, but it is recommended.
In the absence of transcription, in France, your marriage takes effect only in the following situations:
Your marriage has no effect on third parties.
In France, you will not be able to benefit from certain rights.
Your husband will not be able to get residence permit.
You will not be able to take advantage of tax advantages granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).
You have to request the transcript on the civil registration records of the French embassy or consulate where you are married.
How to request the transcription of the marriage certificate on the French registers?
The rule depends on country of celebration of your marriage.
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You or your spouse must request the transcript.
The request for transcription is not subject to no time limit.
To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions :
If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate, the transcript of your marriage must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.
This hearing may be a joint hearing or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive this requirement.
You can download the following documents on the website of the consulate general of France responsible in the country concerned:
In all cases, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and one proof of your nationality French.
Request the transcript from the relevant French embassy or consulate, depending on where your wedding is celebrated.
If the French Embassy (or Consulate) finds that the conditions are not met, it can refer the case to the public prosecutor . The latter may object to the transcription within two months.
You or your spouse must request the transcript.
The request for transcription shall not be submitted to no time limit.
To obtain it, you must fill in the the following conditions:
If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate, the transcript of your marriage must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.
This hearing may be a joint hearing or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive this requirement.
The following documents can be downloaded from the website of the competent consulate in the country concerned:
In all cases, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and one proof of your nationality French.
You must submit your request, only by postal mail, to the Maghreb Transcription Office (BTM) of the Central Civil Registry Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Numéro d'urgence:" Transcription Office for the Maghreb - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Transcription Office for the Maghreb - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By E-mail bta.scec@diplomatie.gouv.frBy mail Ministry of Foreign Affairs Central Civil Registry Service Office of Transcripts for the Maghreb (BTM) 11 White House Street 44941 Nantes Cedex 9
By fax 02 51 77 28 05You or your spouse must request the transcript.
The request for transcription shall not be submitted to no time limit.
To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions:
If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate, the transcript of your marriage must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.
This hearing may be a joint hearing or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive this requirement.
The following documents can be downloaded from the website of the competent consulate in the country concerned:
In all cases, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and one proof of your nationality French.
You must submit your request, only by postal mail, to the Transcription Bureau for Europe (BTE) of the Central Civil Registry Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Numéro d'urgence:" Transcription Office for Europe - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Transcription Office for Europe - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By E-mail bte.scec@diplomatie.gouv.frBy mail Ministry of Foreign Affairs Central Civil Registry Service Transcripts Bureau for Europe (BTE) 11 White House Street 44941 Nantes Cedex 9
By fax 02 51 77 28 05What documents were obtained after the transcription of the marriage certificate?
Transcription allows you to obtain a french family record book or to complete the booklet you already have.
Transcription also allows mention marriage on your birth certificate.
As a reminder, when the marriage certificate is the subject of a transcript, in France, it takes effect in the following situations:
You may have certain rights.
Your spouse can get a residence permit.
You can take advantage of the tax advantages granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).
Marriage celebrated by a foreign authority
The wedding is celebrated by a local authority, according to the rules of the country concerned.
But the French authorities exercise control before and after the wedding, in particular to check that you are all 2 present at the ceremony.
If you are French and wish to marry another Frenchman abroad, your wedding can be celebrated by a local authority.
Depending on the country where you wish to marry and your situation, the marriage can be celebrated by one of the following authorities:
To check which authorities are responsible, contact the French Embassy or Consulate.
You are future same-sex spouses and you reside in a country that does not allow your marriage.
If at least one of you 2 has French nationality, you can apply to be married by the French consular authorities.
If this is not possible, you can get married in one of the following municipalities:
If no commune meets these criteria, you can marry in the French commune of your choice.
You must meet the same conditions as for a wedding in France.
2 steps are needed: the application for a certificate of capacity to marry and the mandatory publication of the bans.
You must also check with the local foreign authority the conditions to be fulfilled for your marriage to be celebrated in this country.
As a Frenchman, you must apply for marriage certificate at the embassy or consulate of France where you got married.
You must provide the following:
Additional proof may be required depending on your situation.
Each of you owes it, too provide a copy of his birth certificate.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the parentage of less than 3 months.
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.
You must apply for your birth certificate from the Central Civil Registry Service.
You can use the following teleservice:
If you are a refugee or stateless person , you must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.
You must request the document from the Ofpra : titleContent , who has issued the certificate that is your birth certificate.
You can use the following teleservice:
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate was issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of birth certificates. In this case, you must provide a certificate issued by your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority of your country of origin) stating that this is not updated.
If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
It is possible to provide multilingual birth certificate .
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate was issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of birth certificates. In this case, you must provide a certificate issued by your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority of your country of origin) stating that this is not updated.
If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
It is possible to provide multilingual birth certificate .
By country of origin, the following formalities may also be necessary:
Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
The diplomatic or consular officer proceed to your hearing municipality.
It may also hold separate hearings.
If necessary, the French Embassy (or Consulate) may entrust the hearing to one of the following authorities:
The embassy (or consulate of France) will give you your marriage certificate if your marriage meets the requirements of French law, after publication of the reports.
Banking publication is required for 10 days (unless waived).
It is done in one of the following locations:
The ceremony can only take place after the expiry of the 10-day period.
You must contact the Embassy (or Consulate of France) to obtain the following information:
In the case of a marriage performed by a foreign authority, the rules in each country are very varied.
Some rules may be unfavorable or restrictive.
You can also ask a notary.
For your marriage to be fully recognized in France, it must be recorded in the civil registration records of the embassy or consulate from France where you were married.
The transcription consists in recording in the French registers the indications contained in the marriage certificate drawn up by the foreign authority who married you.
This transcript is not mandatory, but it is recommended.
In the absence of transcription, in France, your marriage takes effect only in the following situations:
Your marriage has no effect on third parties.
In France, you will not be able to benefit from certain rights.
Your husband will not be able to get residence permit.
You will not be able to take advantage of tax advantages granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).
The rule depends on the country where your marriage is celebrated.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You or your spouse must request the transcript.
The request for transcription is not subject to no time limit.
To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions:
If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate, the transcript of your marriage must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.
This hearing may be a joint hearing or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive this requirement.
You can download the following documents on the website of the consulate general of France responsible in the country concerned:
In all cases, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and one proof of your nationality French.
Request the transcript from the relevant French embassy or consulate, depending on where your wedding is celebrated.
You or your spouse must request the transcript.
The request for transcription is not subject to no time limit.
To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions:
If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate, the transcript of your marriage must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.
This hearing may be a joint hearing or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive this requirement.
The following documents can be downloaded from the website of the competent consulate in the country concerned:
In all cases, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and one proof of your nationality French.
You must submit your request, only by postal mail, to the Maghreb Transcription Office (BTM) of the Central Civil Registry Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Numéro d'urgence:" Transcription Office for the Maghreb - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Transcription Office for the Maghreb - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By E-mail bta.scec@diplomatie.gouv.frBy mail Ministry of Foreign Affairs Central Civil Registry Service Office of Transcripts for the Maghreb (BTM) 11 White House Street 44941 Nantes Cedex 9
By fax 02 51 77 28 05You or your spouse must request the transcript.
The request for transcription is not subject to no time limit.
To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions:
If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate, the transcript of your marriage must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.
This hearing may be a joint hearing or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive this requirement.
The following documents can be downloaded from the website of the competent consulate in the country concerned:
In all cases, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and one proof of your nationality French.
You must submit your request, only by postal mail, to the Transcription Bureau for Europe (BTE) of the Central Civil Registry Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Numéro d'urgence:" Transcription Office for Europe - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Transcription Office for Europe - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By E-mail bte.scec@diplomatie.gouv.frBy mail Ministry of Foreign Affairs Central Civil Registry Service Transcripts Bureau for Europe (BTE) 11 White House Street 44941 Nantes Cedex 9
By fax 02 51 77 28 05Transcription allows you to obtain a french family record book or to complete the booklet you already have.
Transcription also allows mention marriage on your birth certificate.
As a reminder, when the marriage is transcribed, in France, it takes effect in the following situations:
You may have certain rights.
Your spouse can get a residence permit.
You can take advantage of the tax advantages granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).
Marriage celebrated by a French authority (ambassador or consul of France)
If you are French and wish to marry abroad, your wedding can be celebrated by the competent French Ambassador or Consul for the country you want to marry.
However, the French ambassador or consul must be authorized to celebrate the marriage in the country concerned.
If the French diplomatic authority cannot marry you, you can, under conditions, to marry in France.
In any case, it is best to inform yourself beforehand, if possible several months before the celebration.
You must contact the embassy or consulate.
The consular officer verifies that you meet the conditions and formalities required to marry.
You must provide a folder consisting of the following:
Each of you must also provide the extract (with indication of the parentage) of his birth certificate.
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You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the parentage of less than 3 months.
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.
You must apply for your birth certificate from the Central Civil Registry Service.
You can use the following teleservice:
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate was issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of birth certificates. In this case, you must provide a certificate issued by your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority of your country of origin) stating that this is not updated.
If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
It is possible to provide multilingual birth certificate .
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate was issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of birth certificates. In this case, you must provide a certificate issued by your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority of your country of origin) stating that this is not updated.
If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
It is possible to provide multilingual birth certificate .
Depending on the country of origin, the following formalities may also be necessary:
Nationals of certain countries are exempt from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
Other supporting documents may be requested of you depending on your situation :
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If a marriage contract is concluded, you must provide the notary's certificate.
If your divorce is not mentioned on your birth certificate, you must provide one of the following documents:
If the final divorce decision was made abroad, you must attach your translation by a sworn translator.
You must provide additional parts, for example, the death certificate or the birth certificate (with mention of death) of the deceased spouse.
If a document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
Depending on the country of origin, the following formalities may also be necessary:
Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
If you or your future spouse are the subject of a legal protection measure (guardianship, trusteeship, safeguard of justice or family entitlement), you must, before marriage, inform the person in charge of the protection measure (e.g. your guardian if you are a guardian or your curator if you are a guardian).
You must provide a proof of this information.
No authorization from the judge or the person in charge of the protection measure is necessary to marry you.
You must go through 2 steps:
You are first interviewed by one of the following authorities:
The diplomatic or consular officer may also conduct your hearing.
Then, the publication of the bans of your marriage is required for 10 days.
It is done in one of the following locations:
You must contact the Embassy (or Consulate of France) to obtain the following information:
In the case of a marriage performed by a foreign authority, the rules in each country are very varied.
Some rules may be unfavorable or restrictive.
You can also ask a notary.
Marriage is automatically recognized in France.
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