Can two foreigners living abroad marry in France?
Verified 13 October 2020 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice
The possibilities of marrying in France for 2 foreign persons living abroad differ according to the level of their territorial attachment to France.
Aliens whose parents do not live in France
It all depends on the situation:
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Foreigner without domicile or residence in France
Two foreigners without home or residence in France and having no relatives domiciled in France may marry only in a commune belonging to one of the following territories:
- New Caledonia
- French Polynesia
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Wallis and Futuna
The application must be made to the town hall of the chosen community, at least 1 month and 10 days before the desired date for the celebration of the marriage.
The registrar concerned shall verify that the prospective spouses meet all the requirements of conditions laid down by French law to get married.
He may ask the diplomatic authorities to conduct the compulsory prior hearing of the couple.
The ceremony is necessarily held in the presence of a translator-interpreter.
Alien who has been continuously resident for at least 1 month in the same commune in France
Two foreigners living mainly abroad but one of whom has been continuously resident for at least 1 month in the same commune in France can get married there. The month of continuous residence shall apply on the date of publication of the bans.
Please note
two foreign persons domiciled or not in France may have their marriage celebrated before the consular authorities of their country.
Who shall I contact
A foreigner whose parent lives in France
If one or the other of the couple's members has at least one parent (father or mother) domiciled in France, their marriage in France is possible in the commune where the parent concerned resides.
Please note
two foreigners living mainly abroad but one of whom has been continuously resident for at least 1 month in the same commune in France can get married there. The month of continuous residence shall apply on the date of publication of the bans.
Two foreign persons domiciled or not in France may have their marriage celebrated before the consular authorities of their country.
Who shall I contact
- Civil Code: Articles 63 to 76Article 74 (place of celebration of marriage)
- Civil Code: Articles 165 to 171Domiciliation in France (Article 165)
- Act No. 2009-594 of 27 May 2009 for the economic development of overseas territories: Rule 58