TYING THE KNOT

There are two different ways to go about getting hitched in France: you can get married the traditional way, or enter into a Pacte civil de solidarité (PACS) a legally recognised civil union open to heterosexual or same-sex couples.

GETTING MARRIED

All weddings must be performed by a local civil authority before a religious ceremony can take place. This civil ceremony confirms a couple as husband and wife in the eyes of the law. It is held at the local town hall (mairie) of the commune where one or both persons must have been resident for at least one month.

All the preliminary paperwork must be completed at least 20 days before the wedding date, with notices of intention to marry being posted at the mairie no less than 10 days before the ceremony. Non-French nationals may be asked to prove that they are not already married in their country of origin by presenting a certificat de capacité matrimoniale.

On the day itself, the local mayor, the deputy-mayor, or a regular city councillor conducts the ceremony. Then the newly-weds will receive their marriage certificate (acte de marriage). They can follow the civil ceremony with a religious ceremony if they wish.

In France, married women are not legally obliged to take their husband's name. Either spouse can change their name, or both can choose to adopt a hyphenated version of the two surnames.

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CONFETTI IS NOT THE ONLY PAPER YOU NEED

The documents required to get married in France include:

• A passport or French residence permit for each spouse.
• A birth certificate for each spouse. Non-French birth certificates must be translated by an official translator
• A medical certificate (certificat médical prenuptial) for each spouse.
• Proof of an address in the French commune you are getting married in (normally a utility bill).
• If you have signed a prenuptial agreement, a certificate from a French solicitor (notaire) stating this.
• At least two witnesses (témoins) for each spouse.

In certain cases other documentation may be required, so it is advisable to check with your local mairie.

Married couples receive a livret de famille. This booklet records the marriage and important subsequent events such as births, deaths, name changes or a divorce.

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PACTE CIVIL DE SOLIDARITE

An alternative to getting married in France is the Pacte civil de solidarité, or PACS.

This civil union is a contractual agreement made by two people over the age of 18 either of the same sex or not, in order to establish a life together. It confers legal recognition of the union, and a number of other fiscal rights normally only enjoyed by married couples.

A PACS is signed at the local magistrates' court for civil cases, the tribunal d'instance. It can be undertaken by two unmarried people, aged over 18, who can prove that they already share a residence. The PACS can also be signed abroad, at a French consulate, but in this case at least one of the parties must be French.

For more information on getting married in France or entering into a PACS, see the Service Public website's Family section (in French).

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