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Ah, civil marriage! That great administrative adventure where love meets... the Cerfa form. You said "yes" at the town hall? Perfect! Now you have to say "yes" to the paperwork. And believe us, between the supporting documents, the copies, and the certificates, it's best to arm yourself with patience... and our guide!
In this article, we'll reveal everything you need to know about the paperwork required for a civil marriage in France. No pompous jargon or unnecessary blah-blah: here, we'll get straight to the point, with a good dose of clarity and a few smiles along the way.
Before booking the venue, choosing the DJ, or even thinking about the wedding dress , there is one crucial step: submitting the wedding application. Without it, there will be no ceremony. And to put together this famous application, you will need to gather a few essential documents.
We are talking here about basic documents, valid for all couples who wish to say "I do" at the town hall, whether you are French, foreign, or a mixture of both.
Let's start with the obvious: identity documents . Each future spouse must provide a photocopy of both sides of an official document : national identity card, passport, or residence permit.
A small but important detail: the document must be valid . A passport that expired in 2017, even if it reminds you of your vacation in Bali, will not pass.
The town hall wants to know where you live, but we promise, it's not to send you advertising. You'll need to provide recent proof of address (dated within the last 3 months). This could be:
An electricity, water, gas or internet bill (long live the box!)
A rent receipt
A certificate of accommodation with the host's identity document
And if you live at two different addresses, don't panic: each one provides their own proof.
Here's THE document that often causes problems: the birth certificate . But don't panic, we'll explain everything.
Easy! Simply request a full copy or an extract with filiation of your birth certificate, dated less than 3 months ago (or 6 months ago if you were born abroad). You can apply:
Online via your town hall website
By mail
Or directly on site (if you are lucky enough to be in the area)
This is where it gets a little tricky, but it's doable. You need to request your birth certificate:
At the central civil status service in Nantes (if you are French born abroad)
Or from the authorities of your country of origin, with an official translation if the document is not in French
And be careful: in certain cases, legalization or apostille is required for the document to be recognized by the French administration.
Because every couple is unique, the government has provided specific paperwork for your situation, whether you're opting for an intimate ceremony or a simple wedding dress . Here's a quick overview so you don't forget anything.
Divorced or widowed? We're not going to rub salt in the wound, but it needs to be proven.
If you are divorced , provide the marriage certificate with mention of the divorce or the final divorce judgment .
If you are widowed , you will need to provide the death certificate of your previous spouse.
And yes, the administration likes proof, even when it comes to the past.
This is where we come to the "graph paper" chapter. If one of you is a foreign national, you will need to add a few documents:
Certificate of Custom : This document certifies that you are of legal age and can marry according to the law of your country. It is issued by the consulate or embassy.
Certificate of celibacy : to prove that you are not already married elsewhere.
Official translation of all documents written in a language other than French (by a sworn translator)
And in some cases, an interview with a civil registrar may be requested. Don't panic, it's not the police, it's just to make sure the marriage isn't... how can I put it... arranged.
Ah, the witnesses. Those friends or family members who will accompany you on the big day. They too must provide a little something: a copy of their ID. And let's not forget that the country wedding dress will also be a key element for an unforgettable day.
Each bride and groom must have at least one witness and at most two . So in total, count between 2 and 4 witnesses for the ceremony.
They don't need proof of address or a criminal record. Just scan their ID card, and that's it!
Once you have gathered all these precious documents, all that remains is to submit the file to the town hall.
But be careful, not just any!
That of the place of residence of one of the future spouses
Or that of one of their parents (under conditions)
The file must be submitted in person (by at least one of the two future spouses), generally by appointment . And for your information, the marriage can only be celebrated one month after the submission of the file (due to the publication deadline for the banns).
So, we anticipate a little to avoid unpleasant surprises!
Once the application is accepted, the town hall will proceed with what is called the publication of the banns . It's a bit like a public announcement that says: "Hey, these two are getting married, anyone have anything to say?"
Display for 10 days at the town hall
The marriage can be celebrated after this period
And if no one objects, bingo: you can legally say "yes."
We touched on this above, but let's go a little further: marrying a foreigner in France requires a few additional steps.
If one of the spouses is not French, the town hall can request a preliminary hearing, separately or together. The goal? To ensure the free and informed consent of both people and the reality of the relationship, a bit like choosing a lace wedding dress meticulously, with care and attention, to leave nothing to chance.
Don't panic, this isn't an FBI-style interrogation. It's mainly about questions about how you met, your daily life, your plans... In short, to show that this is a real couple.
In some cases, particularly if the marriage is planned abroad , a certificate of capacity to marry may be requested. This can be obtained from the French consulate in the country concerned.
And if there's any doubt, the embassy can also conduct its own little investigation. It's rare, but it's better to know.
Come on, because we're nice, we'll give you some good advice to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Some documents can take several weeks to arrive, especially foreign birth certificates. Don't wait until the last minute.
Yes, the administration loves copies. So make sure you have copies of everything : one for the town hall, one for you, and one for the souvenir folder if you're the sentimental type.
Each town hall may have its own specific requirements. Some require additional forms, others want documents on glossy paper (no, we're exaggerating... barely). A quick phone call or a visit to the civil registry office can save a lot of hassle. For more information, you can consult this guide. Civil marriage at the town hall: formalities, documents, witnesses .
A civil marriage is, above all, a beautiful promise. But before celebrating love, you have to go through the administrative process. Here's a checklist of essential paperwork :
✅ Identity documents
✅ Proof of address
✅ Birth certificates
✅ Specific certificates depending on your situation (divorce, widowhood, foreign nationality)
✅ Witness IDs
And above all: a little patience, a touch of organization, and a good dose of humor to handle the surprises. After all, that's also what the beginning of life together is all about!