You're in love. You've decided to get married. Congratulations! Champagne, a white dress, a catered buffet... But before you choose the linen tablecloths and the DJ, you hear about something strange: the marriage contract . And then, panic. You immediately imagine a stark room, slamming tampons, and above all... a hefty bill.
So, how much does that famous contract at the notary cost? Spoiler: it's not free, but it's not reserved for paranoid billionaires either. And above all, it can save you a lot of hassle later on.
Have a coffee (or a glass of champagne, we won't judge), we'll explain everything .
Okay, let's get to the heart of the matter: the price of a marriage contract at the notary generally varies between €250 and €350 including tax. Yes, you read that right. It's not cheap, but it's not an astronomical sum either when you consider that, just like a wedding dress , it's a symbolic but important expense for a key moment—and above all, a contract that could determine the future of your assets.
This price includes several elements:
The notary's fees (what he earns for drawing up the deed).
Administrative costs .
Registration fees (set by the State).
And if you are in a special case (goods abroad, company to protect, etc.), the price can go up a little. But for a standard contract , we remain within the basic range.
So, we always talk about it as something inaccessible or reserved for the rich?
Good news: yes . The price is regulated by the State , so there's no point in looking for a notary in a small village in Corrèze hoping to save 50 bucks. The price remains the same, whether you're in Paris, Lille or in a remote hamlet in the Cévennes.
When you sign a marriage contract at a notary, you're not just paying for a piece of paper. You're paying for:
A preliminary interview where the notary listens to you and guides you.
Drafting the contract according to your situation (nothing is "copy-pasted").
Registration in the central file of last wills and testaments (yes, it sounds scary as a name, but it's just a legal registration).
Lifetime preservation of your contract in the notarial archives.
So you're not just paying for a formality, you're paying for a complete legal service. And that comes at a price.
Yes, we know. When you love, you don't count. But when things go wrong (and we don't wish that on you!), it's better to have counted from the start .
It's an official document signed before the wedding (or sometimes after, but with more complications), which will define the matrimonial regime of your couple. In short, how your assets will be managed during the marriage, and what will happen to them in the event of separation or death. Just like the choice of a backless wedding dress , which reflects a personal style, this contract reflects your choices for the future of the couple.
Not very romantic, but oh so useful.
Absolutely not. Without a contract , you are automatically married under the community property regime. This is the French "default." It means that everything you buy or earn together during the marriage is common property, except for what you had before.
But if you want something different, like separating everything, or pooling everything, or protecting a business, then the contract becomes essential .
Don't panic, we'll give you a quick, clear summary.
Here, everything belongs to everyone, even what you had before the wedding, like a flowing wedding dress that you might still have in your wardrobe. Great for those in love. Be careful, this can be a problem if there are children from a previous marriage. Price: the same as a traditional contract.
Everyone keeps their own money, their belongings, their debts. We may share vacation time, but not the bills. Perfect for entrepreneurs or those who want to maintain financial independence. This is the most common contract . Price: always in the same range (€250–350).
A somewhat hybrid contract: during the marriage, everything is separated. And at the end (in the event of divorce or death), what you "earned" together is shared. Less common, but useful in certain situations. The cost remains standard.
Before the wedding , of course. Once you say "yes" at the town hall, it's too late. Unless you change your marital status , but that's another story (and another budget...).
Allow at least one month before the wedding for the notary appointment, drafting, and registration. Don't leave it to the last minute. This isn't a contract that the notary drafts on the corner of a table between two will signings, just as an empire-line wedding dress isn't chosen in haste, but requires time and thought.
Yes, but it will be more complicated and more expensive . You have to wait at least two years of marriage , and go before a judge if you have minor children. In short, if you can, do it before , it's simpler.
Good question. And the answer is: yes , especially if:
You are the head of a company.
You have substantial personal assets.
You are getting married for the second (or third) time.
You want to anticipate the hassles (divorce, death, debts, etc.).
It costs the equivalent of a nice dinner for two at a gourmet restaurant. And it saves you years of headaches later.
Even then, it can be worth it. Because even if you don't have any assets yet, that can change. It's a bit like choosing a wedding dress for a curvy woman that suits your body shape from the start: what's clear and well thought out from the start avoids misunderstandings, arguments, and legal hassles.
No. Impossible. Not even in my dreams. The marriage contract is an authentic document , so it must be signed before a notary . Otherwise, it's not a marriage contract, it's a worthless piece of paper.
Unfortunately, no . These are personal expenses, so no tax deduction is possible. But hey, you're not doing this to save taxes, but to protect your relationship.
Not really. The marital regime does not directly affect income tax. However, in the event of divorce or inheritance , it can change the situation. And therefore, indirectly, it can prevent tax surprises.
Ah, civil partners and cohabitants, we haven't forgotten you. You are not concerned by the marriage contract (necessarily), but you can sign a civil partnership agreement with a notary , which can be paid for (around €150 to €200 ). It's cheaper than a marriage contract, but it doesn't provide the same level of protection.
Hopefully, you'll never use it for a divorce, but if you do, you'll be damn glad you planned for it. And frankly, for a few hundred dollars, it's worth sleeping soundly.
And between us, it's much more useful than a 400-dollar bridal bouquet, right?
The main thing is you two. And the Civil Code. But above all, you two.
👉 Learn a little more, just in case
Between €250 and €350 , no more, no less. It's fixed, regulated, and largely amortized if one day your love story turns sour. And even if you live the perfect love until you're 100, at least you'll have everything planned out .
So, do we say yes to the marriage contract?