Some couples are content to tie the knot at the courthouse down the road. But for those who are more adventurous, a destination wedding -- and an international marriage -- are a must. The Huffington Post's guide to international marriages will tell you everything you need to know to get legally married in France. Read on to ensure all of your paperwork is in order before booking your ticket.
Residency Requirement And Waiting Period
France requires that at least one of the parties to be married lives in France for at least 40 consecutive days before a wedding ceremony is allowed. This is a required step in the process and cannot be waived under any circumstance.
Intent To Marry
In France, the couple to be married must post a
marriage banns
, or intent to marry, at the mairie (the French equivalent of a city hall) at least 10 days prior to the marriage. The earliest the marriage banns may be posted is at the end of the 30 days of residence in France.
The Ceremony
The ceremony must take place in a
mairie
. Marriages cannot be performed within the American embassy or within an American consulate in France. If the couple wants a religious ceremony, that has to take place after the civil ceremony in the
mairie
. This can never occur before the civil ceremony; the priest, minister or rabbi performing the religious ceremony must see proof of the civil ceremony beforehand.
The Marriage Certificate
After marriage, each couple will receive a
livret de famille
. This book is a record of marriage and subsequent family events such as name changes, births and deaths in the family. To get a copy of the marriage license, the couple can write to the mairie where the marriage took place.
Legal Documentation
Both parties to be married need a valid U.S. passport, proof of
domicile
(e.g., electricity bill) and a
certificat du notaire
or prenuptial contract, if the parties wish to file one. Additionally, both parties require the following documents (issued no longer than three months prior to the ceremony): a birth certificate, a certificate of celibacy, an affidavit of law (a document signed by an attorney licensed in both France and the U.S. confirming that the American citizen is indeed contracted to get married in France and that the marriage will be recognized in the United States) and a medical certificate ensuring both parties are in good health.
Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage is
, as of May 2013.
View the full set of laws and regulations regarding marriage in France.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.