It is first necessary to find and contact the local authority of 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 contact a notary.

> To read: the Refugees.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.

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.

If you are a refugee, this part does not apply to you: there is no transcription for refugees. You can move on to the next part.

If you are a common law foreigner:

For your marriage to be recognized in France, you must request " its transcription" in the civil status registers of the French embassy or consulate where your marriage took place.

The list of documents to be provided as well as the transcription request form can be downloaded from the website of the competent French consulate in the country concerned.

Transcription allows you to obtain a French family record book or to update the record book you already have.

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