Getting Married in France

Quick reference

Step-by-step requirements

Follow these steps in order. Most are completed weeks before travel; the in-country portion typically takes 1-3 days depending on the destination.

1. 1

   At least one partner must establish 30-40 consecutive days of residency in the commune where the ceremony will take place — France's most restrictive requirement.

2. 2

   Each partner provides an apostilled birth certificate (issued within 6 months of the wedding date), translated into French by a French sworn translator (traducteur assermenté).

3. 3

   Provide a Certificate of Custom (Certificat de Coutume) from a French notaire or your home country's embassy showing your marital capacity under home-country law.

4. 4

   Publish marriage banns at the local mairie for 10 days before the ceremony.

5. 5

   If divorced or widowed, apostilled and translated divorce decree or death certificate is required.

6. 6

   Two to four witnesses (témoins) with valid ID must attend the civil ceremony at the mairie.

Documents you'll need

• →Valid passport (6+ months remaining validity)
• →Apostilled birth certificate (issued within 6 months) translated by sworn French translator
• →Certificate of Custom (Certificat de Coutume)
• →Proof of residency (rental lease, utility bills) for the residency partner
• →Apostilled divorce decree if previously married (translated)

Timeline

The 30-40 day residency requirement makes legal marriage in France impractical for most non-resident couples. Plan for 6-8 weeks total: 30-40 days of residency, 10 days of banns publication, plus document preparation buffer. Most foreign couples instead legalize at home and host a symbolic ceremony.

Cost breakdown

Legal costs run $200-$500 USD before residency lodging: apostille and sworn translation ($150-$300 per document), Certificate of Custom ($50-$150), and ceremony filing fee ($0-$100 — many mairies don't charge a civil fee). Residency lodging during the 30-40 day requirement is the dominant practical cost.

Already married? Symbolic ceremony option

The 30-40 day residency requirement is the single biggest reason most couples planning a Provence, Loire Valley, or Côte d'Azur wedding choose symbolic over legal. Legalize at home in advance, host a fully symbolic ceremony at a French château — the experience is indistinguishable to guests.

Same-sex marriage recognition

Same-sex marriage has been legal in France since 2013. Civil requirements apply equally to all couples without distinction.