As this is usually difficult to achieve, many couples opt to have a legal marriage in their own country, before jetting to France for a religious ceremony held in an amazing place like a fairy tale castle in the Loire Valley or in Paris and then honeymoon in France. Whether civil or religious ceremony in France, will offer a romantic and picturesque for your special day.
Civil marriage is compulsory in France and religious ceremonies, which are optional, are not legally binding in any way and can only be performed after the civil ceremony. To be legal, a marriage in France must be conducted by a French civil authority. In practice this means that the mayor or his legally authorized replacement performs the marriage ceremony.
For a civil ceremony is not a requirement of residence in France, one of the parties to marry must meet. A party must reside in the city or district, whether in Paris for thirty days before marriage. In addition to these thirty days, French law requires the publication of banns in the City for ten days, making a residence requirement of 40 days before the ceremony can be scheduled to take place at City Hall.
Documents for a civil ceremony are:
1. No birth certificate from a hospital, but the official government birth registration office, as the Office of Civil Registry in the United States of America.
2. A notary "Affidavit of Law" (Certificate of Coutume) prepared by a licensed attorney at law in the State of residence of the person, stating:
- That this person is free to marry
- That the marriage must take place in France will be recognized as valid in their country of origin
- And that the publication of marriage banns is not required in their home country, or under any State or federal law.
3. In the case of previous marriages, a certified copy of death certificate of the deceased spouse or a certified copy of the final divorce decree must be produced.
4. Prenuptial health certificate issued no more than two months before the date of marriage by a doctor after:
- The serological tests for syphilis,
- The serological tests to determine blood types and possibly the presence of irregular antibodies,
- And even more so for women also serological tests for rubella and toxoplasma.
You can have these tests performed in France.
As prenuptial agreements, if no special measures are taken by the parties before a French notary or a lawyer in the U.S., before marriage, then they are considered married under the COMMUNAUTE aux acquets reduite. This means that what each party owns personally before the marriage, or what comes to them afterwards through inheritance, remains their property. Only what is acquired during marriage is owned equally by both parties.
All foreign documents must be authenticated before being presented to the French authorities. U.S. Documents can be certified by obtaining the apostille provided by the Hague Convention was signed by the United States on 15 October 1981. The apostille is generally obtained through the office of Secretary of State of any state the document was issued in
In all cases, it is recommended that greater contact the Office of City Hall marriage upon arrival in France, as the additional documents may be needed, such as an affidavit of residence. All these documents must be translated into French for presentation to the French authorities. The translation can be done in the United States of America for a translation agency or by an official translator in France. If translations are performed in the United States the translations and the original document must be submitted to the Consulate General of France for verification.
Ordinary citizens holding U.S. passports are not required to obtain a visa for a trip to France, provided that no more than 3 months remaining. The visa exemption does not apply to journalists or members of airline crews, no matter what the duration of their stay. U.S. citizens with diplomatic or official passports must obtain a visa before going to France, no matter what the duration of your stay. Other foreign nationals should check with the visa section of the Consulate General of France.
As to the legal requirements for marriage in France are complex and may be revised or amended at any time, it is recommended that you hire a competent wedding planner if they wish to marry in France. Not only will advise on up-to-date legal requirements that can help you with every little detail for your special day.
A fairytale castle in France is a magical place for your wedding vows.
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