You are free to choose the town hall, but you must have a connection with the city.

It is therefore possible to organize the wedding in:

• The town where you have a mailing address (municipality of residence): one of the future spouses has their registered address there.
• OR the town where you live (municipality of residence): one of the future spouses has lived there permanently for at least 1 month
• OR the town where one of the parents (mother or father) of one of the future spouses lives or has an address (municipality of a parent).

A witness is a person of legal age (over 18) or emancipated (over 16) who is present on the wedding day to confirm the identity and statements of the future spouses. It is a trusted person with whom you wish to share your wedding.

Each future bride and groom can have between 2 and 4 witnesses: family member, friend, colleague, man or woman, of French or foreign nationality…

For each witness, you will need:

• name
• first name
• date and place of birth
• profession (occupation)
• address
• copy of identity document.

This information is in the marriage file (step 3) and officially on the marriage certificate (step 6).

1. Obtain and complete a marriage application form at the town hall

This file contains the list of documents to be given, the rules of marriage in the city (noise in front of the town hall for example), pages to be completed and other important information.

2. Prepare the documents

• original and photocopy of the identity documents of the future spouses
• proof of address or residence
• information about witnesses
• For future spouses born in France: birth certificate (full copy or extract with parentage) issued within the last three months.
• For couples getting married who were born abroad:
  - if protected by the OFPRA: birth certificate less than 6 months old
  - if not protected by the Ofpra: birth certificate less than 6 months old OR without time limit if the country of origin does not update civil status records.
  Documents must be translated by a sworn translator if they are not written in French.

Read on Refugees.info: " Requesting a birth certificate from the OFPRA "

To find out which documents to provide depending on your situation, you can use this online simulator.

On the day of your appointment at the town hall, bring your completed marriage file and all the documents.
Both future bride and groom must be present.

1. A professional from the town hall conducts the marriage hearing (verification of all documents)

2. They conduct an interview with the two future spouses (and the translator-interpreter if needed) if the marriage file is complete.

3. They give confirmation of the date and time of the marriage (depending on the publication of the banns, see step 5).

The town hall where the marriage will be celebrated and the town hall of the future spouses' place of residence must display the following for at least 10 days:

• the wedding date
• the names, surnames, occupations, and addresses of the future bride and groom
• the place where the wedding will be celebrated.

This is the "publication of banns" and it is mandatory.

1. The marriage is officially celebrated by the mayor or a deputy mayor in a room in the town hall open to the public or in a city building (for example a function room) with at least two witnesses present.
You can invite your family and friends, or stay only with the witnesses.

2. Each spouse says aloud their consent and commitment to respect the rights and duties of marriage.

3. The bride and groom and the witnesses sign the official register.

4. The family record book is given to the newlyweds.

All information about the family record book can be found on the Refugees.info page: " Obtaining a family record book "

You must inform the relevant authorities (CAF, tax office, Health Insurance, etc.) of your new situation:

• Log in to your personal account and declare the change to "married" or "spouse"
• send the marriage certificate (a photocopy by mail or an electronic document by email or on your account).

If one spouse moves into the accommodation already occupied by the other spouse, the landlord or social housing provider must be informed to add their name to the contract.

The town hall sends the marriage certificate directly to the OFPRA: you don't have to do anything (no need to send any documents or contact the Ofpra).

DUTIES

After the wedding in France, the newlyweds commit to:

• To live together
  The bride and groom live together and share a common project.
  The agreement of both spouses is required to make decisions concerning the marital home (selling, terminating the lease, re-letting, removing furniture, etc.), even if the home was rented or purchased by only one spouse before the marriage.
  It is not mandatory to live together all year round, for example because of work.
• Contribute to daily living expenses
  The married couple both contribute to the rent, mortgage payments, food and clothing expenses, health expenses (doctor, medication…), children's education, and activities according to their income and available time.
  The spouses are also jointly liable for debts: if one spouse has borrowed money to pay for family expenses, both spouses must repay together (unless the expense is too large, not adapted to the family's situation, and not accepted by both).
• To ensure the education of children
  The married couple are responsible for the children's education and future preparation (school, health, etc.).
• Declare and pay taxes together
  The married couple are a "tax household" with a single tax return.
• Providing aid and assistance
  If one spouse is ill, has financial difficulties, or is going through a difficult time, the other spouse must support him/her.
  Each spouse helps the other in daily life.
• Remain faithful
  Sexual or emotional relations with another person are prohibited and can lead to divorce.
• Respecting each other
  Each spouse respects the body, opinions, feelings, and personal choices of the other.
  Physical or verbal violence is prohibited.

RIGHTS

After the wedding in France, the newlyweds are free to:

• Choose a name
  Each spouse has the option of using the other's (male or female) surname.
  This "preferred name" can be:
  - just a name
  - the two names together, in the chosen order.
  Changing one's name after marriage is neither mandatory nor automatic: each person can choose. Without a "preferred name," each spouse retains their family name from before the marriage.
  You can then declare the preferred name to government agencies (CAF, Health Insurance…) and use it for identity documents (residence permit, driver's license…).
  A child born after marriage may have the name of one parent (male or female) or both names together.
• Maintain physical integrity
  Each spouse has the right to respect for their body and can make decisions (medical care, etc.) without information or consent from the other.
• Choose a professional life and having a personal bank account
  Each spouse can decide whether or not to work, choose a profession, and use their own money (after contributing to daily living expenses).
• Choose a lifestyle and expressing opinions
  Each spouse has the right to participate in activities (cultural, political, trade union, sporting…), to organize their personal life and to say what they think.