Getting married abroad

Proposed by Ofpra Updated on il y a un an

A person protected by France (refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection, stateless person) can marry abroad .

It is advisable to prepare everything several months in advance, as it takes time to obtain some documents.

The marriage must be “compliant” with French law, this means that the conditions are therefore the same as for a marriage in France. Other conditions may be added depending on the country.

You can consult our sheet “ Getting married in France ” for more information on the conditions, rights and duties of marriage in France.

After the marriage, you will have to take several steps to have your union recognized in France.

Same-sex marriage is permitted in France, but it is only possible in certain countries .

How to do it?

It is first necessary to contact the French authority in the chosen country (French embassy or consulate) to find out the rules and procedures specific to the country for the marriage to be celebrated and recognized.

You can also inquire with a notary.

It is advisable to have a sufficiently long residence permit for the duration of the marriage procedure (refugee travel document (TVR) and visa depending on the country).

> Read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Obtaining a travel document”.

You must make an appointment or send an email to the French embassy or consulate of the country where the marriage will be celebrated.

Then, the two bride and groom are called for an interview.

You must bring these documents:

ID (with photo): valid residence permit (refugee resident card, multi-year residence card for subsidiary protection), identity card/passport;
proof of residence: rent receipt, electricity bill, telephone bill, etc.
information sheet (given by the embassy or consulate) completed;
copy of the birth certificate of each future spouse, less than 3 months old (6 months if the document was issued abroad, with its translation and legalization);

You can retrieve this document from the OFPRA website.

> Read the Réfugiés.info sheets: “Request a birth certificate” and “Obtain the official translation of a document”.

Other supporting documents may be requested depending on your situation.

This is an official poster that announces your wedding with this information:

the first names, surnames, professions, domicile or residence of each of the future spouses;
the place where the marriage is solemnized.

The publication of the banns is compulsory (unless dispensed) for several days at the French embassy or consulate in the foreign country, OR at your town hall in France.

After the interview and the period of publication of the banns, a "certificate of marriage capacity" is issued, if the conditions provided for by French law are confirmed.

Depending on the country where you are getting married and your status, the marriage may be solemnized by one of the following authorities:

state registrar;
foreign consul;

After the ceremony, a marriage certificate is issued.

It is advisable to make several photocopies of the marriage certificate.

There is no marriage transcript for refugees. However, you will need to request an update of your birth certificate from Ofpra (see next part).

What happens next?

As soon as you return to France, you can apply for registration of your marriage with OFPRA.

You first need your OFPRA file number. It is a 9-digit number like XX-XX-XXXXX written at the top left of each letter sent by OFPRA.

You must complete this form and send it with these documents:

the certificate of capacity to marry or the certificate of publication of banns;
a photocopy of the travel document with entry and exit stamps from the country where the marriage is celebrated and a photocopy of the plane or train ticket;
a copy of the foreign marriage certificate with a certified translation by a sworn translator, as well as a photocopy of both sides of this certificate and its translation.

> Read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Obtain the official translation of a document”.

You must send your file by mail to this address:

OFPRA

201 rue Carnot

94136 Fontenay-sous-Bois Cedex

It is advisable to make a photocopy of the form and send it with acknowledgment of receipt.

If the marriage was celebrated abroad after obtaining international protection, OFPRA or French town halls cannot issue a family record book . This document must be requested directly from the authorities of the country where the marriage was celebrated.