Finding someone to marry you in France, no not literally (thought not a bad idea)! I mean sourcing someone to officiate the wedding proceedings!
First step in the process is to get the necessary documents together, and some departments may even required these to be officially translated. These are the documents you will need:
- If you plan to officially marry in France (vs the registry office at home with the celebration being held in France) one of you will need to prove residency for at least 30 days prior to the marriage application
- A valid passport
- Original birth certificates
- A certificate of celibacy (you are not already married)
- An affidavit stating you are free to get married
- A copy of the divorce decree if you have been married
- (Ouch) a prenuptial agreement if this is what you choose
You then have 2 options you can either get “legally” married in your home country and bring your family and friends (or just the 2 of you) to France to hold the ceremony. This can be held anywhere you choose, a church, a château, a park or at the steps of the Eiffel Tower. However you will need an officiant to conduct the proceedings.
Second option is to marry legally in France in which case one or both of you would have to reside in France for at least 30 day prior to the wedding – well that’s not too hard to take! I suppose the only potential pitfall is avoiding all those amazing french pastries and baguettes ahead of the wedding dress fitting!
In either case if you are opting for a celebratory event you will need a wedding celebrant. For a list please send us an email stating where you plan to marry (which Department) and we will point you in the right direction.
