A step-by-step guide to the formalities of a civil marriage

Here is a practical guide to the formalities for a civil marriage.

Organiser un mariage en France demande non seulement une planification rigoureuse mais également une bonne compréhension des obligations légales. Dans cet article complet, nous vous guidons à travers toutes les étapes administratives essentielles pour que votre union soit parfaitement conforme à la loi. Ce guide s’adresse aux futurs mariés, qu’ils soient de nationalité française ou étrangère, vivant en France ou à l’étranger.

Who can get married?

First of all, the union is possible only when both individuals are of legal age and consenting:

1) Without distinction of sex Law of 17 May 2013 (loi Taubira), Law of 17 May 2013

2) Absence of a relationship by blood or marriage that is too close : Marriage between close relatives (siblings, uncles, nieces, etc.) is prohibited.

3)Marital status : Neither spouse may be currently married, whether in France or abroad. Being in the process of getting a divorce is not sufficient; the divorce must have been finalized.

Special cases: PACS and marriage

Please note that if one or both of the future spouses are bound by a PACS (Civil Solidarity Pact), it automatically terminates on the date of the marriage. Therefore, no document dissolving the PACS is required.

 

 

 

Application package for a civil marriage ceremony:

Submitting the marriage application file is an essential step. It allows the town hall to verify that all requirements for the wedding ceremony are met. Here are the documents generally required:

Pièces d’identité et état civil :

1)Photocopies of the identity documents of both future spouses (national identity card or passport).

2)Birth certificate with parentage, less than 3 months old (or 6 months if the document is foreign).

Personal supporting documents:

3) Sworn statement of single status or non-remarriage.

4) Proof of address (electricity bill, rent receipt, etc.).

5)Liste des témoins avec leurs coordonnées (nom, prénom, date et lieu de naissance, profession, pièce d’identité, justificatif de domicile).

 

In some cases, though

1) A marriage contract is concluded between the future spouses; provide the certificate of notary.

2) Divorced: copy of the divorce decree, marriage certificate, or birth certificate extract noting the divorce.

3) Widower/Widow: Death certificate of the spouse concerned, birth certificate, or family record book (*livret de famille*) in which this information is recorded.

4) Born abroad, provide a birth certificate with parentage less than 6 months old.

 

Quels délais pour les formalités d’un mariage civil ?

 

Once the marriage file is complete, allow at least 10 days (see publication of banns) to several months.

You will therefore be able to choose a date that suits you, subject to the availability of the ceremonies department at your town hall.

Obviously, if you wish to get married between May and July, the wedding season, it is It is preferable to start several months in advance.

Subsequently, an (optional) appointment will be scheduled with the civil registrar to ensure that Each spouse actually consents to the marriage. This refers to the municipal interview.

 

Interview with the civil registrar:

Subsequently, an (optional) appointment will be scheduled with the civil registrar to ensure that Each spouse actually consents to the marriage. This refers to the municipal interview.

Banns, the public announcement of an upcoming marriage:

The banns must be published by the town hall staff on their premises 10 days prior to your wedding date. These are public notices listing upcoming marriages and therefore include your names, occupations, places of residence, and the location of the ceremony. The purpose of publishing the banns is to inform the public of the marriage, thereby allowing individuals to raise an objection that could potentially lead to the marriage being declared void.

This is also the reason why the doors to the wedding hall remain open during the civil ceremony.

 

 

 

At which town hall must the civil marriage formalities take place?

 

According to Article 165 of the Civil Code, a marriage must take place in the municipality where one of the two spouses has resided for at least two months.

However, since 2013, Article 74 has stipulated that couples can now celebrate their union in another municipality, subject to certain conditions.

How can a union be celebrated in another municipality?

To get married at a town hall other than the one in your own municipality, you must first obtain a special dispensation. Issued by the mayor of the town where you wish to hold the ceremony, this authorization is granted when the prospective spouses have valid reasons. To secure this permission, you must therefore convince the authorities and the mayor of the merits of your request.

Under what conditions can I obtain an exemption?

You may wish to get married in a municipality other than the one where you reside, for various reasons. 

The most frequent grounds—and those most likely to result in a waiver granted by the mayor—are as follows:

You wish to get married in the city where your parents live.

If you wish to celebrate your union in the town where you grew up and at least one of your parents still lives there, there is a good chance the mayor will approve your request. In your application, you can point out that your parents have difficulty traveling and that it makes more sense to get married close to their home!

What should I do if I want to get married in a municipality where I have no ties?

If no one close to you can vouch for your presence in the municipality where you wish to marry, and if no relatives live in that town, you will need to prepare a strong case before meeting the mayor. In a small town, you might succeed in persuading him by praising the beauty of the landscape. However, if the village is a popular location, your request could be denied.

 

 

 

What steps do I need to take to get married at a different town hall?

To obtain the all-important authorization that will allow you to celebrate your union at the town hall of your choice, you must send a letter to the mayor of the relevant municipality.

Set out your arguments in a letter and attach proof of your parents' address as well as statements from friends confirming your accommodation, in an attempt to have your application accepted.

Who can grant me this exemption?

To have your request accepted, you must convince the mayor of the municipality where you wish to hold your wedding. If the mayor is slow to meet with you, you can also go through the municipal registry office. Regardless of whom you speak to, you must wait for an official response before beginning wedding preparations.

What civil documents are given to the couple on the day of the civil wedding?

 

On the day of the civil wedding in France, several official documents can be given to the spouses, but the main one is:

 

The family record book

• It is the only document systematically given to the newlyweds at the end of the ceremony.
• It is issued free of charge by the registrar of civil status.

 

It contains:

• The marriage certificate extract
• A page for recording the children's births
• The sections for deaths, potential divorces, etc.

If one of the spouses already holds a family record book (from a previous union involving children together), it will be updated rather than a new one being created.

 

Marriage certificate (not issued automatically)

The marriage certificate It is drawn up and signed during the ceremony, but it is not handed to the couple on the same day.

You must apply for it later (online, in person, or by mail) at the town hall where the wedding takes place.

 

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