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The marriage declaration
This sheet presents an essential step to secure your settlement and residence in line with the law: the marriage declaration.
Key points of the sheet
- Civil marriage is the only marriage recognised in France.
- Two people of different sex or of the same sex can marry. They must be over 18, or under 18 with the agreement of at least one parent or the authorisation of the public prosecutor (procureur de la République).
- The future spouses have no family or in-law relationship. For example, marriage between first cousins is forbidden. They can also give free and informed consent to the marriage.
- The marriage takes place in the municipality (commune) where at least one of the 2 future spouses or one of their parents lives.
- To marry, you prepare your identity documents, a proof of address and your birth certificates. You also give the identity details of the witnesses and a photocopy of their identity document.
- On the day of the ceremony, you receive the French marriage certificate and a family record book (livret de famille).
- A civil marriage held abroad is recognised by France through transcription. You request it at a French consulate or at the SCEC.
- Then you receive a French marriage certificate and a family record book.
Words to know
- civil marriage (mariage civil)
- It is the only marriage recognised in France.
- public prosecutor (procureur de la République)
- He can authorise the marriage of a person under 18.
- free and informed consent (consentement libre et éclairé)
- The future spouses must be able to give it in order to marry.
- family or in-law relationship (lien de parenté ou d’alliance)
- The future spouses must not have this relationship. Marriage between first cousins is forbidden.
- family record book (livret de famille)
- It is given with the French marriage certificate.
- transcription
- It is the entry of the foreign marriage certificate in the French civil status registers.
- Central Civil Status Service (SCEC) (Service Central d'État Civil (SCEC))
- It is a service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where you can have the transcription done.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Where is the civil marriage held?
In French, the language of the exam: Où le mariage civil est-il célébré ?
The marriage is held in the municipality where at least one of the future spouses or one of their parents lives.
What do you receive on the day of the civil marriage?
In French, the language of the exam: Que recevez-vous le jour du mariage civil ?
On the day of the ceremony, the French marriage certificate and a family record book are given.
Which marriage is forbidden in France?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel mariage est interdit en France ?
The future spouses must not be related. Marriage between first cousins is forbidden.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- Which marriage is recognised by law in France?
- What are the conditions for a civil marriage to be recognised in France?
More in this topic (Administrative procedures)
- The declaration of birth
- The steps to obtain French nationality
- Everyday formalities such as domiciliation (administrative address)
Source
Sheet “La déclaration de mariage” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.