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A romantic wedding in France starts with 40-day stay
POST-INTELLIGENCER NEWS SERVICES
Think it might be romantic to get married in France?
The first thing you need to know is that there's a residency requirement of at least 40 days. That means that either the prospective bride or bridegroom must have lived in the same department (district) or arrondissement for at least 30 days before the civil ceremony, plus the 10 days during which the marriage banns are published where the ceremony is to take place.
Under French law, the ceremony must be performed by a civil authority. And if there is a religious ceremony, it must follow the civil one.
Noting that rules may vary, French officials urge a check with local authorities.
As for required documents, among them are these:
- A medical certificate from each party with results of blood tests. The certificates must be submitted before the banns can be published and be dated within two months before the banns are published. Americans can be examined in the United States by a doctor approved by the French Consulate.
- A birth certificate translated into French and affidavits by the couple stating, if applicable, how a previous marriage came to be terminated.
- An affidavit in French by an approved lawyer stating that each party is free to marry in France and that the marriage will be recognized in the United States.
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