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Marriage in France
Verified 08 June 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice
You want to get married? Whether you are a couple of different sex or of the same sex, you must meet certain conditions and file a file in the city hall.
What applies to you ?
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You are single or divorced or widowed
Two people, of different or same sex , must meet certain conditions to get married.
Age
You must be of age to marry, i.e. at least 18 years of age.
If you are a minor, you may exceptionally be allowed to marry.
You must have the following permissions:
- Age exemption granted by the public prosecutor for serious reasons
- At least one of your parents agreed
Unrelated
The marriage is forbidden when a very close link exists.
Consent
Each of you 2 must give his free and informed consent at the wedding.
If consent is not free and informed, the wedding can be canceled at the request of one of the following persons:
- You or your future husband
- Public Prosecutor
The request for cancelation must be made in a maximum period of 5 years.
The wedding is celebrated in a commune with which at least one of you 2 has a lasting bond.
The link can be with one of the following municipalities:
- That of the domicile or the residence from one of you two
- That of the home or residence of a parent of one of you 2
The registrar ensure that at least one of the persons concerned has lasting links with the municipality.
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Municipality of the home
The wedding can be celebrated in the commune where one of you 2 has domicile.
Municipality of residence
The wedding can be celebrated in the commune where one of you 2 has his residence.
This residence may be a primary or secondary residence.
Residence must be established by at least 1 month of continuous housing on the date of publication of the reports.
Common of a parent
The wedding can be celebrated in one of the following municipalities:
- Municipality of the home of one of the parents (father or mother) of one of you 2
- Municipality of the main residence of one of your parents
- Municipality of the secondary residence of one of your parents
Other situation
If you are all 2 foreigners and you do not live in France, know that the marriage in France of a foreigners couple is only possible in the following locations:
- Consulate of your country of origin
- Municipality of overseas collectivity (Com) or New Caledonia
Documents to be provided by the future spouses
Check which documents you need to provide to build your marriage record.
For this, you must use the simulator next:
Review documents to be provided
Indeed, each of you 2 shall provide the following documents:
- ID valid (original and photocopy). Depending on your situation, this may be an identity card, passport, driving license, resident card, residence card or any other document with a photograph issued by a public authority
- Proof of domicile or residence (water, electricity or gas bill, tax notice, proof of property tax, attestation from the person hosting you, etc.)
You don't have to provide informationbirth certificate if your marriage municipality can access your civil status data directly from your birth municipality.
The process depends on where your birth certificate was issued:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Birth certificate issued in France
General case
If your marriage municipality does not have access to your civil status data at your birth municipality, you must provide a birth certificate with indication of the parentage of less than 3 months.
The starting point of the period of validity of the birth certificate is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of the celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated (for example, a change of first name), you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
You are a refugee or stateless person
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.
The 3-month period is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of its celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
You must apply for the document from the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra), which has issued the certificate that acts as your birth certificate.
You can use the following teleservice:
Refugee/stateless person: application to Ofpra for a copy or extract of a civil status document
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated (for example, a change of first name), you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
Birth certificate issued abroad
Act drawn up in a country of the European Union
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
Who shall I contact
The starting point of the period of validity of the birth certificate is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of its celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
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.
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated, you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
Act drawn up in another country
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
Who shall I contact
The starting point of the period of validity of the birth certificate is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of its celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
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:
- Apostille
- Legalization
Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated, you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
Depending on your situation, you must provide additional documents :
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You or your future husband are a foreigner
The City Hall may ask you to provide documents specific to your nationality.
These documents are as follows:
- Certificate of custom
- Certificate of celibacy (or marital capacity)
The certificate of custom is usually provided by your embassy or consulate. It shall specify the following:
- Foreign rules applicable to marriage
- Document proving your marital status
- A document that proves you are not already married
If your country of origin does not issue a certificate of custom, you must provide a certificate from the competent authorities of the foreigner country specifying this. You must also provide a certificate issued by a lawyer or a lawyer specifying the rules applicable to marriage in your country of origin.
If this is not possible, you must provide an attestation on the honor indicating that you are an adult, unmarried and legally capable.
Certificate of celibacy (or marital capacity) is asked when your country cannot provide you with up-to-date documents. It is usually provided by your embassy or consulate. He proves you're not already married.
If a document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
You can inquire at the city hall and the consulate.
Please note
If you cannot provide the necessary information, the registrar must inform you that your marriage may not be recognized in your country of origin.
You're signing a marriage contract
If a marriage contract is concluded, you must provide the notary's certificate.
Who shall I contact
You or your future husband are divorced
You must provide additional parts, such as the divorce decree.
If the judgment was given abroad, you must attach your translation by a sworn translator.
You or your future spouse are widowed
You need to provide additional parts, for example, the death certificate or the birth certificate 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:
- Apostille
- Legalization
Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
You or your future spouse are subject to a legal protection measure (guardianship, guardianship, safeguarding of justice, family entitlement)
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 proof of this information.
FYI
No authorization from the judge or the person in charge of the protection measure is necessary to marry you.
Neither you nor your future spouse are residents of your marriage commune
Your marriage can be celebrated in the commune of the home or residence (main or secondary) of a parent of one of you 2.
You must provide proof of this residence (water, electricity or gas bill, tax notice, property tax proof, etc.).
Documents to be provided by witnesses
For each of your witnesses, you must provide the following information:
- Name
- First Name
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation
- Home
- Copy of identity document
You must submit the file to the municipality of the municipality chosen for the ceremony.
Check with the city hall if you need to make an appointment.
The registrar auditions you two together.
If he considers it necessary, he may also ask for individual interviews with both.
This hearing is mandatory. But it does not occur in the following cases:
- Not possible (for example, due to illness)
- The registrar does not consider it necessary
The officer may request the presence of a translator or interpreter (at your expense if paid) if you or your future spouse are in any of the following situations:
- Deaf, dumb
- Does not understand French
If you or your future spouse resides abroad, the hearing can be conducted by the competent diplomatic or consular authority.
Before and after the hearing, the city hall cannot refuse a marriage file.
But she can ask the public prosecutor prohibit the solemnization of the desired marriage (for example, in the case of suspicion of a white marriage).
The announcement of the marriage is made by the publication of the bans.
These are notices posted by the registrar at the door of the town hall.
They shall contain the following information:
- Given names, surname, occupation, domicile or residence of each of you 2
- Place where the wedding is to be celebrated
They are displayed for 10 days at the gate of the following town halls:
- Mayor of the wedding
- Town hall where you or your future spouse have your home
Please note
You can request a publication waiver from the public prosecutor in the case of serious grounds.
Marriage cannot be celebrated until the 10the the day following the publication of the reports.
Example :
If the bans are published on June 4, 2023, the wedding can be celebrated from June 14, 2023.
The day of the celebration of the marriage is fixed in agreement with the mayor and the future spouses, provided that the marriage file is complete and up to date.
The marriage must be celebrated within one year of the expiration of the 10-day period.
FYI
It is forbidden to celebrate a religious marriage before civil marriage.
Location
The wedding is to be celebrated in the town hall, in a room open to the public.
The mayor may celebrate the marriage in any communal building (e.g. a party room), provided that the building is located in the territory of the commune. But the public prosecutor may object to it.
In case ofserious impediment of you or of your future spouse, the registrar may, at the request of the public prosecutor, travel to one of the following places:
- Your home or residence
- A hospital or health care facility
He can move without this request in case of life-threatening risk.
Marriage can also be celebrated in a penal institution.
Process
The celebration must be made by the mayor or a deputy, in the presence of you 2 and your witnesses.
During the celebration, each of you 2 confirms his commitment to respect the obligations of marriage.
A translator-interpreter may be present.
One family record book is delivered to you.
In the days that follow, you can ask the city hall for a extract or a full copy of the marriage certificate.
Please note
if you and your future spouse had children before your marriage and already have a family record, this booklet will be updated with the marriage certificate.
Once married, you can use the name of your spouse or partner as your last name.
You are currently on a pass
If you are hired by a Civil partnerships: titleContentNo, you can get married.
Marriage is possible in the following situations:
- With your past partner
- With another person
Marriage automatically dissolves Civil partnerships.
To get married, you and your future spouse must meet certain conditions.
These conditions are the same whether you are a couple of different sex or of the same sex.
Age
You must be of age to marry, i.e. at least 18 years of age.
If you are a minor, you may exceptionally be allowed to marry.
You must have the following permissions:
- Age exemption granted by the public prosecutor for serious reasons
- At least one of your parents agreed
Unrelated
The marriage is forbidden when a very close link exists.
Consent
Each of you 2 must give his free and informed consent at the wedding.
If consent is not free and informed, the wedding can be canceled at the request of one of the following persons:
- You or your future husband
- Public Prosecutor
The request for cancelation must be made in a maximum period of 5 years.
The wedding is celebrated in a commune with which at least one of you 2 has a lasting bond.
The link can be with one of the following municipalities:
- That of the domicile or the residence from one of you two
- That of the home or residence of a parent of one of you 2
The registrar ensure that at least one of the persons concerned has lasting links with the municipality.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Municipality of the home
The wedding can be celebrated in the commune where one of you 2 has domicile.
Municipality of residence
The wedding can be celebrated in the commune where one of you 2 has his residence.
This residence may be a primary or secondary residence.
Residence must be established by at least 1 month of continuous housing on the date of publication of the reports.
Common of a parent
The wedding can be celebrated in one of the following municipalities:
- Municipality of the home of one of the parents (father or mother) of one of you 2
- Municipality of the main residence of one of your parents
- Municipality of the secondary residence of one of your parents
Other situation
If you are all 2 foreigners and you do not live in France, know that the marriage in France of a foreigners couple is only possible in the following locations:
- Consulate of your country of origin
- Municipality of overseas collectivity (Com) or New Caledonia
Documents to be provided by the future spouses
Check which documents you need to provide to build your marriage record.
For this, you must use the simulator next:
Review documents to be provided
Indeed, each of you 2 shall provide the following documents:
- ID valid (original and photocopy). Depending on your situation, this may be an identity card, passport, driving license, resident card, residence card or any other document with a photograph issued by a public authority
- Proof of domicile or residence (water, electricity or gas bill, tax notice, proof of property tax, attestation from the person hosting you, etc.)
You don't have to provide informationbirth certificate if your marriage municipality can access your civil status data directly from your birth municipality.
The process depends on where your birth certificate was issued:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Birth certificate issued in France
General case
If your marriage municipality does not have access to your civil status data at your birth municipality, you must provide a birth certificate with indication of the parentage of less than 3 months.
The starting point of the period of validity of the birth certificate is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of the celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated (for example, a change of first name), you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
You are a refugee or stateless person
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.
The 3-month period is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of its celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
You must apply for the document from the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra), which has issued the certificate that acts as your birth certificate.
You can use the following teleservice:
Refugee/stateless person: application to Ofpra for a copy or extract of a civil status document
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated (for example, a change of first name), you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
Birth certificate issued abroad
Act drawn up in a country of the European Union
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
Who shall I contact
The starting point of the period of validity of the birth certificate is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of its celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
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.
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated, you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
Act drawn up in another country
You must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of Maximum 6 months.
Who shall I contact
The starting point of the period of validity of the birth certificate is calculated in relation to on the day the marriage is filed, and not on the day of its celebration. It is this deposit that determines the publication of the tapes.
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:
- Apostille
- Legalization
Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
Please note
If your marital status or that of your future spouse has changed before the marriage is celebrated, you must give a copy of the updated document to the registrar responsible for celebrating the marriage.
Depending on your situation, you must provide additional documents :
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You or your future husband are a foreigner
The City Hall may ask you to provide documents specific to your nationality.
These documents are as follows:
- Certificate of custom
- Certificate of celibacy (or marital capacity)
The certificate of custom is usually provided by your embassy or consulate. It shall specify the following:
- Foreign rules applicable to marriage
- Document proving your marital status
- A document that proves you are not already married
If your country of origin does not issue a certificate of custom, you must provide a certificate from the competent authorities of the foreigner country specifying this. You must also provide a certificate issued by a lawyer or a lawyer specifying the rules applicable to marriage in your country of origin.
If this is not possible, you must provide an attestation on the honor indicating that you are an adult, unmarried and legally capable.
Certificate of celibacy (or marital capacity) is asked when your country cannot provide you with up-to-date documents. It is usually provided by your embassy or consulate. He proves you're not already married.
If a document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.
You can inquire at the city hall and the consulate.
Please note
If you cannot provide the necessary information, the registrar must inform you that your marriage may not be recognized in your country of origin.
You're signing a marriage contract
If a marriage contract is concluded, you must provide the notary's certificate.
Who shall I contact
You or your future husband are divorced
You must provide additional parts, such as the divorce decree.
If the judgment was given abroad, you must attach your translation by a sworn translator.
You or your future spouse are widowed
You need to provide additional parts, for example, the death certificate or the birth certificate 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:
- Apostille
- Legalization
Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).
You or your future spouse are subject to a legal protection measure (guardianship, guardianship, safeguarding of justice, family entitlement)
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 proof of this information.
FYI
No authorization from the judge or the person in charge of the protection measure is necessary to marry you.
Neither you nor your future spouse are residents of your marriage commune
Your marriage can be celebrated in the commune of the home or residence (main or secondary) of a parent of one of you 2.
You must provide proof of this residence (water, electricity or gas bill, tax notice, property tax proof, etc.).
Documents to be provided by witnesses
For each of your witnesses, you must provide the following information:
- Name
- First Name
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation
- Home
- Copy of identity document
The file must be submitted to the municipality of the municipality chosen for the ceremony.
Check with the city hall if you need to make an appointment.
The registrar auditions you two together.
If he considers it necessary, he may also ask for individual interviews with both.
This hearing is mandatory. But it does not occur in the following cases:
- Not possible (for example, due to illness)
- The registrar does not consider it necessary
The officer may request the presence of a translator or interpreter (at your expense if paid) if you or your future spouse are in any of the following situations:
- Deaf, dumb
- Does not understand French
If you or your future spouse resides abroad, the hearing can be conducted by the competent diplomatic or consular authority.
Before and after the hearing, the city hall cannot refuse a marriage file.
But she can ask the public prosecutor prohibit the solemnization of the desired marriage (for example, in the case of suspicion of a white marriage).
The announcement of the marriage is made by the publication of the bans.
These are notices posted by the registrar at the door of the town hall.
They shall contain the following information:
- Given names, surname, occupation, domicile or residence of each of you 2
- Place where the wedding is to be celebrated
They are displayed for 10 days at the gate of the following town halls:
- Mayor of the wedding
- Town hall where you or your future spouse have your home
Please note
You can request a publication waiver from the public prosecutor in the case of serious grounds.
Marriage cannot be celebrated until the 10the the day following the publication of the reports.
Example :
If the bans are published on June 4, 2023, the wedding can be celebrated from June 14, 2023.
The day of the celebration of the marriage is fixed in agreement with the mayor and the future spouses, provided that the marriage file is complete and up to date.
The marriage must be celebrated within one year of the expiration of the 10-day period.
FYI
It is forbidden to celebrate a religious marriage before civil marriage.
Location
The wedding is to be celebrated in the town hall, in a room open to the public.
The mayor may celebrate the marriage in any communal building (e.g. a party room), provided that the building is located in the territory of the commune. But the public prosecutor may object to it.
In case ofserious impediment of you or of your future spouse, the registrar may, at the request of the public prosecutor, travel to one of the following places:
- Your home or residence
- A hospital or health care facility
He can move without this request in case of life-threatening risk.
Marriage can also be celebrated in a penal institution.
Process
The celebration must be made by the mayor or a deputy, in the presence of you 2 and your witnesses.
During the celebration, each of you 2 confirms his commitment to respect the obligations of marriage.
A translator-interpreter may be present.
One family record book is delivered to you.
In the days that follow, you can ask the city hall for a extract or a full copy of the marriage certificate.
Please note
if you and your future spouse had children before your marriage and already have a family record, this booklet will be updated with the marriage certificate.
Once married, you can use the name of your spouse or partner as your last name.
You're already married
If you're already married, you can't marry a 2e times.
This prohibition applies in the following 2 situations:
- Married according to French law
- Married according to a foreign law
Warning
If you are in the process of divorce or legal separation, you are considered married.
Review documents to be provided
- Civil Code: Articles 63 to 76Marriage certificates
- Civil Code: Articles 143 to 164Qualifications and requirements for entering into marriage
- Civil Code: Articles 165 to 171Formalities relating to the solemnization of marriage
- Civil Code: Articles 515-1 to 515-7-1Dissolution of Civil partnerships by marriage (Article 515-7)
- General code of local and regional authorities: Articles L2121-29 to L2121-34Wedding hall (article L2121-30-1)
- LAW n°2021-1109 of 24 August 2021 confirming the respect of the principles of the RepublicHearing of future spouses (Article 35)
- Law No. 2009-594 of 27 May 2009 for the economic development of overseas territories: article 58Marriage of 2 persons of foreign nationality not residing in France
- Circular of 26 July 2017 relating to various provisions in the field of the rights of individuals and the family of Law No. 2016-1547 of 18 November 2016 (PDF - 566.9 KB)Building the marriage file (Annex 4)
- Circular of 23 July 2014 on civil status (PDF - 249.4 KB)
- Circular of 29 May 2013 on the introduction of the law opening marriage to same-sex couples (PDF - 624.5 KB)
- Ministerial reply of 20 January 2015 on the place of solemnization of marriageMunicipality of the domicile or residence of one of the parents of the spouses
- Ministerial reply of 20 January 2015 on "gray marriages"
- Review documents to be provided
Simulator
- Application for birth certificate: full copy or extract (birth in France) - Free service
Online service
- Application for birth certificate: full copy or extract (birth abroad) - Free service
Online service
- Refugee/stateless person: application to Ofpra for a copy or extract of a civil status document
Online service
FAQ
- Can the city hall turn down a marriage report?
- Is the mayor obliged to perform a wedding himself?
- Can you marry a family member?
- Witnesses to a marriage: what are the rules?
- Can two foreigners living abroad marry in France?
- In which countries can same-sex marriages take place?
- Marriage, Civil partnerships or cohabitation (common-law): what differences?
- Carte grise Name change after marriage: Should the name change?
- Translating a document: how to find a certified translator?
- Change in civil statusService-Public.fr
- User name: use of wife or husband’s nameService-Public.fr
- Decision 13-50059 on marriage between a French and a Moroccan of the same sexCourt of Cassation
- Delegation of the civil registration functions of the mayor for the celebration of marriagesSenate
- Celebration of marriages by a municipal councilorSenate
- Couples in EuropeNotaries of Europe