Marriage of a Frenchman abroad

Verified 18 June 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

You are French and you want to marry abroad with a French person or with a person of foreign nationality? It is best to do this several months in advance, as it takes time to obtain certain documents. After the marriage, you will in some cases have to take steps to have your union recognized in France. We present you the information to know.

What applies to you ?

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With a foreigner

Marriage is celebrated by a local authorityaccording to the rules of the country concerned. You have to check them.

The French authorities exercise control before and after marriage.

They check in particular that you are all 2 present at the ceremony.

Depending on the country where you wish to marry and your situation, the marriage can be celebrated by one of the following authorities:

  • Registrar's Office local
  • Foreigner Consul
  • Religious authority.

You need to check which authorities are competent for the country in which you want to marry.

In order for marriage to be recognized in France, you must comply with the conditions imposed by the country concerned.

In many countries, the local authority will not be able to marry you with a person of the same sex.

If you are future same-sex spouses and you reside in a country that does not allow your marriage, you can marry in one of the following municipalities:

  • French municipality of your birth or last residence
  • French commune in which one of your parents (father or mother) has his home or residence.

If no municipality meets these criteria, you can get married in the French municipality of your choice.

As a Frenchman, you must fulfill the same conditions as for a wedding in Francein particular the following conditions:

Two steps are necessary: the application for a certificate of capacity to marry and the mandatory publication of bans.

1Applying for a Certificate of Marriage Ability

As a Frenchman, you have to apply for certificate of capacity to marry at the French embassy or consulate of the place of your wedding.

Documents to be provided

You must provide the following:

  • Fact sheet (provided by the embassy or consulate, or available on its website) completed
  • Proof of French nationality
  • ID (with photo)
  • Proof of home or residence.

Other supporting documents may be requested depending on your situation.

Each of you must also provide your birth certificate extract with indication of parentage.

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Birth certificate established in France

The approach depends on your situation:

You were born in France

You must provide a birth certificate extract with indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You were born abroad

If your birth certificate has been transcribed, you must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You must apply for your birth certificate from the Central Civil Registry.

You can use the following teleservice:

Application for birth certificate: full copy or extract (birth abroad) - Free service

You are a refugee or stateless person

If you are a refugee or stateless, you must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You must request the document fromOfpra: titleContent, which has drawn up the certificate which serves as your birth certificate.

You can use the following teleservice:

Request a copy or extract of a civil status document from the Ofpra if you are a refugee, stateless person or under subsidiary protection

Birth certificate issued abroad

The approach depends on your situation:

You were born in a country of

You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of 6 months maximum.

No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate has been issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of the birth certificate.

In this case, you must provide a certificate from your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority in your country of origin) stating that no update has been made.

If the document is in foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.

It is possible to provide a plurilingual birth certificate extract.

You were born in another country

You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of 6 months maximum.

No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate has been issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of the birth certificate.

In this case, you must provide a certificate from your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority in your country of origin) stating that no update has been made.

If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.

It is possible to provide a plurilingual birth certificate extract.

Depending on the country of origin, one of the following formalities may also be necessary:

Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).

Hearing by the registrar

The diplomatic or consular agent proceed with your hearing common.

It may also hold separate hearings.

If necessary, the French Embassy (or Consulate) may entrust this hearing to one of the following authorities:

  • Registrar of your home or your residence in France
  • French embassy or consulate on which your home or your residence abroad in the absence of residence in France.

2Allow the 10-day deadline for publication of bans to pass

The publication of the bans is mandatory for 10 days (unless exempted).

It is done in one of the following places:

  • Embassy or Consulate of France of the place of celebration of your wedding
  • Town hall of your home or your residence if you or your future spouse have your domicile or residence in France
  • French embassy or consulate on which your home or your residence abroad in the absence of residence in France.

After publication of bans, the French Embassy (or Consulate) gives you your certificate of capacity to marry if your marriage meets the requirements of french law.

The ceremony can only take place after the 10-day period has elapsed.

In the case of a marriage celebrated by a foreign authority, the rules specific to each country are very varied.

Some rules may be unfavorable or restrictive.

You can ask a notary.

Who shall I contact

For your marriage to be fully recognized in France, the marriage certificate must be transcribed on the civil status records of the embassy or consulate from France to your wedding venue.

The transcription consists in recording in the French registers the particulars contained in the marriage certificate drawn up by the foreign authority that married you.

Warning  

This transcript is not mandatory, but it is recommended.

In the absence of a transcript, in France, your marriage only takes effect in the following situations:

  • Between you 2
  • To your children.

Your marriage has no effect on third parties.

In France, you will not be able to benefit from certain rights.

Example :

Your husband will not be able to get residence permit. And you will not be able to benefit from the tax benefits granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).

You have to ask for the transcript on the civil status records of the French embassy or consulate of the place of your marriage.

Conditions

You or your spouse must request the transcript.

The transcript request is not subject to no time limit.

To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have completed the pre-marriage formalities at the embassy or consulate (certificate of marriage capacity)
  • Have been all 2 present at the time of the celebration
  • Have all 2 freely consented to marriage.

If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate (certificate of capacity to marry), the transcription of your marriage remains possible.

It must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.

Please note

This hearing may be joint or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive it.

Approach

The rule depends on country of celebration from your wedding:

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Afghanistan, Algeria, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Niger, Palestine, Republic of Northern Cyprus, Western Sahara, Somalia, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Golan Territory, North Korea, Tunisia, Yemen

You can download the following documents from the relevant consulate in the country concerned:

  • Transcript Request Form
  • List of documents to be provided.

In all cases, you must provide the following documents:

  • Copy of your marriage certificate
  • Proof of your French nationality.

You must send your request, only by postin the Transcription Department of the Central Civil Registry Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Who shall I contact

  • By post

    Central Civil Registry Service

    Transcript Department

    11 rue de la Maison Blanche

    44941 Nantes Cedex 9

Other country

You can download the following documents from the relevant consulate in the country concerned:

  • Transcript Request Form
  • List of documents to be provided.

In all cases, you must provide the following documents:

  • Copy of your marriage certificate
  • Proof of your French nationality.

Ask for the transcript at the appropriate French embassy or consulate, depending on where your wedding is celebrated.

If the French Embassy (or Consulate) considers that the conditions are not met, it may refer the matter to the public prosecutor. The latter may object to the transcription within 2 months.

The transcript allows you to get a french family booklet or have the booklet you already have completed.

Transcription also makes it possible to mention marriage on your birth certificate.

As a reminder, when the marriage is the subject of a transcription, in France, it takes effect in the following situations:

  • Between you 2
  • With regard to your children
  • With regard to third parties, for example administrations.

You can benefit from certain rights.

Example :

Your husband can get a residence permit. And you can benefit from the tax benefits granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).

With another French man

The marriage is celebrated by a local authority, according to the rules of the country concerned. You have to check them.

The French authorities exercise control before and after the wedding, in particular to check that you are all 2 present at the ceremony.

Who can celebrate marriage abroad?

If you are French and wish to marry another French person abroad, your marriage can be celebrated by a local authority.

Depending on the country where you wish to marry and your situation, the marriage can be celebrated by one of the following authorities:

  • Registrar's Office local
  • Foreigner Consul
  • Religious authority.

You need to check which authorities are competent for the country in which you want to marry.

In order for marriage to be recognized in France, you must comply with the conditions imposed by the country concerned.

In many countries, the local authority will not be able to marry you with a person of the same sex.

If you are future same-sex spouses and you reside in a country that does not allow your marriage, you can marry in one of the following municipalities:

  • French municipality of your birth or last residence
  • French commune in which one of your parents (father or mother) has his home or residence.

If no municipality meets these criteria, you can get married in the French municipality of your choice.

What are the pre-marriage procedures with the French authorities?

You must meet the same conditions as for a wedding in France.

The 2 steps the following are necessary:

  • Application for a Certificate of Marriage Ability
  • Mandatory publication of bans.
1- Request a certificate of capacity to marry from the Embassy or Consulate of France

As a Frenchman, you have to apply for certificate of capacity to marry at the French Embassy or Consulate of your wedding venue.

You must provide the following:

  • Fact sheet (provided by the embassy or consulate, or available on its website) completed
  • Proof of French nationality
  • ID (with photo)
  • Proof of home or residence.

Other supporting documents may be requested depending on your situation.

Each of you must also provide your birth certificate extract with indication of parentage.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Birth certificate established in France

The approach depends on your situation:

You were born in France

You must provide a birth certificate extract with indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You were born abroad

If your birth certificate has been transcribed, you must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You must apply for your birth certificate from the Central Civil Registry.

You can use the following teleservice:

Application for birth certificate: full copy or extract (birth abroad) - Free service

You are a refugee or stateless person

If you are a refugee or stateless, you must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You must request the document fromOfpra: titleContent, which has drawn up the certificate which serves as your birth certificate.

You can use the following teleservice:

Request a copy or extract of a civil status document from the Ofpra if you are a refugee, stateless person or under subsidiary protection

Birth certificate issued abroad

The approach depends on your situation:

You were born in a country of

You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of 6 months maximum.

No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate has been issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of the birth certificate.

In this case, you must provide a certificate from your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority in your country of origin) stating that no update has been made.

If the document is in foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.

It is possible to provide a plurilingual birth certificate extract.

You were born in another country

You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of 6 months maximum.

No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate has been issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of the birth certificate.

In this case, you must provide a certificate from your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority in your country of origin) stating that no update has been made.

If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.

It is possible to provide a plurilingual birth certificate extract.

Depending on the country of origin, one of the following formalities may also be necessary:

Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).

The diplomatic or consular agent proceed with your hearing common.

It may also hold separate hearings.

If necessary, the French Embassy (or Consulate) may entrust this hearing to one of the following authorities:

  • Registrar of your home or your residence in France
  • French embassy or consulate on which your home or your residence abroad in the absence of residence in France.

The Embassy (or Consulate of France) gives you your certificate of capacity to marry, if your marriage meets the requirements of French law, after publication of the bans.

2- Wait until the end of the 10-day period for publication of the bans

The publication of the bans is mandatory for 10 days (unless exempted).

It is done in one of the following places:

  • Embassy or Consulate of France of the place of celebration of your wedding
  • Town hall of your home or your residence if you or your future spouse have your domicile or residence in France
  • French embassy or consulate on which your home or your residence abroad in the absence of residence in France.

The ceremony can only take place after the expiry of the 10-day period.

How to find out about the matrimonial regime applicable in the event of marriage abroad?

In the case of a marriage celebrated by a foreign authority, the rules specific to each country are very varied. Some rules may be unfavorable or restrictive.

You can ask a notary.

Who shall I contact

Under what conditions is marriage abroad recognized in France?

For your marriage to be fully recognized in France, the marriage certificate must be transcribed on the civil status records of the embassy or consulate from France to your wedding venue.

The transcription consists in recording in the French registers the particulars contained in the marriage certificate drawn up by the foreign authority that married you.

Warning  

This transcript is not mandatory, but it is recommended.

In the absence of a transcript, in France, your marriage only takes effect in the following situations:

  • Between you 2
  • To your children.

Your marriage has no effect on third parties.

In France, you will not be able to benefit from certain rights.

Example :

Your husband will not be able to get residence permit. And you will not be able to benefit from the tax benefits granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).

You have to ask for the transcript on the civil status records of the French embassy or consulate of the place of your marriage.

How to request the transcription of the marriage certificate on the French registers?

You or your spouse must request the transcript.

The transcript request is not subject to no time limit.

To obtain it, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have completed the pre-marriage formalities at the embassy or consulate (certificate of marriage capacity)
  • Have been all 2 present at the time of the celebration
  • Have all 2 freely consented to marriage.

If you have not completed the pre-marriage formalities with the embassy or consulate (certificate of capacity to marry), the transcription of your marriage remains possible.

It must be preceded by your hearing by the diplomatic or consular authority.

Please note

This hearing may be joint or be the subject of individual interviews. The diplomatic or consular authority may waive it.

The rule depends on country of celebration from your wedding:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Afghanistan, Algeria, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Niger, Palestine, Republic of Northern Cyprus, Western Sahara, Somalia, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Golan Territory, North Korea, Tunisia, Yemen

You can download the following documents from the relevant consulate in the country concerned:

  • Transcript Request Form
  • List of documents to be provided.

In all cases, you must provide the following documents:

  • Copy of your marriage certificate
  • Proof of your French nationality.

You must send your request, only by postin the Transcription Department of the Central Civil Registry Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Who shall I contact

  • By post

    Central Civil Registry Service

    Transcript Department

    11 rue de la Maison Blanche

    44941 Nantes Cedex 9

Other country

You can download the following documents from the relevant consulate in the country concerned:

  • Transcript Request Form
  • List of documents to be provided.

In all cases, you must provide the following documents:

  • Copy of your marriage certificate
  • Proof of your French nationality.

Ask for the transcript at the appropriate French embassy or consulate, depending on where your wedding is celebrated.

If the French Embassy (or Consulate) considers that the conditions are not met, it may refer the matter to the public prosecutor. The latter may object to the transcription within 2 months.

What documents are obtained after transcription?

The transcript allows you to get a french family booklet or have the booklet you already have completed.

Transcription also makes it possible to mention marriage on your birth certificate.

As a reminder, when the marriage is the subject of a transcription, in France, it takes effect in the following situations:

  • Between you 2
  • With regard to your children
  • With regard to third parties, for example administrations.

You can benefit from certain rights.

Example :

Your husband can get a residence permit. And you can benefit from the tax benefits granted to a married couple (for example, a common taxable income).

Who can celebrate marriage abroad?

If you are all 2 French and want to get married abroad, your wedding can be celebrated by the competent French ambassador or consul for the country you want to get married in.

Please note

If one of you 2 has a nationality in addition to the French nationality (you are binational), it must not be the same as the country where you want to get married. For example, if you are French and Spanish and want to get married in Spain, you should contact a local authority.

However, the French ambassador or consul must be authorized to celebrate the marriage in the country concerned. Indeed, in many countries (e.g. Turkey, Japan, Canada, Belgium), marriage is only permitted before a local authority.

If the French diplomatic authority cannot marry you, you can getting married in France or before local authorities.

In any case, it is better to inform yourself in advance, if possible several months before the celebration.

How to build the marriage file abroad?

You must contact the embassy or consulate.

The consular officer verifies that you meet the conditions and formalities required to get married.

They are the same as those required in the event of marriage in France.

You must provide the following:

  • Fact sheet (provided by the embassy or consulate, or available on its website) completed
  • Proof of French nationality
  • ID (with photo)
  • Proof of home or residence.

Other supporting documents may be requested depending on your situation.

Each of you must also provide your birth certificate extract with indication of parentage.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Birth certificate established in France

The approach depends on your situation:

You were born in France

You must provide a birth certificate extract with indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You were born abroad

If your birth certificate has been transcribed, you must provide a birth certificate with an indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You must apply for your birth certificate from the Central Civil Registry.

You can use the following teleservice:

Application for birth certificate: full copy or extract (birth abroad) - Free service

You are a refugee or stateless person

If you are a refugee or stateless, you must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of less than 3 months.

You must request the document fromOfpra: titleContent, which has drawn up the certificate which serves as your birth certificate.

You can use the following teleservice:

Request a copy or extract of a civil status document from the Ofpra if you are a refugee, stateless person or under subsidiary protection

Birth certificate issued abroad

The approach depends on your situation:

You were born in a country of

You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of 6 months maximum.

No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate has been issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of the birth certificate.

In this case, you must provide a certificate from your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority in your country of origin) stating that no update has been made.

If the document is in foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.

It is possible to provide a plurilingual birth certificate extract.

You were born in another country

You must provide a birth certificate with indication of the filiation of 6 months maximum.

No time limit shall be imposed if the birth certificate has been issued in a country which does not provide for the updating of the birth certificate.

In this case, you must provide a certificate from your embassy or consulate (or other authorized authority in your country of origin) stating that no update has been made.

If the document is in a foreign language, you must have a sworn translator translate.

It is possible to provide a plurilingual birth certificate extract.

Depending on the country of origin, one of the following formalities may also be necessary:

Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).

Other supporting documents may be asked of you depending on your situation :

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You sign 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

If your divorce is not mentioned on your birth certificate, you must provide one of the following documents:

  • Final divorce decision
  • Family booklet corresponding to the old union with mention of divorce.

If the final divorce decision has been pronounced abroad, you must attach your translation by a sworn translator.

You or your future spouse are a widow or widower

You must provide additional documents, for example, the death certificate or the birth certificate (with mention of death) 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:

Nationals of certain countries are exempted from these additional formalities (e.g. Switzerland).

You or your future spouse are under guardianship or guardianship

If you or your future spouse are subject to legal protection (guardianship or curatorship), you must, before the marriage, inform the person in charge of the protection measure (your guardian if you are in guardianship or your curator if you are in guardianship).

You must provide a supporting document of this information.

FYI  

The authorization of the judge or the person in charge of the protection measure is not necessary to marry you.

What are the mandatory steps before marriage abroad?

You must go through the following 2 steps:

  • Hearing
  • Publication of bans.

You are first interviewed by one of the following authorities:

  • Civil status officer of the domicile or residence in France
  • Diplomatic or consular authority in case of domicile or residence abroad.

The diplomatic or consular officer can also conduct your hearing.

The publication of the bans is mandatory for 10 days (unless exempted).

It is done in one of the following places:

  • Embassy or Consulate of France of the place of celebration of your wedding
  • Town hall of your home or your residence if you or your future spouse have your domicile or residence in France
  • French embassy or consulate on which your home or your residence abroad in the absence of residence in France.

How to find out about the matrimonial regime applicable in the event of marriage abroad?

You can ask a notary.

Who shall I contact

Is marriage abroad recognized in France?

Marriage is automatically recognized in France.

Who can help me?

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