How to Get Married as a Filipino with a French Citizen in France?

Last year, my French partner (now husband) and I entered into a civil partnership (PACS) in France.

A couple of months later, we started discussing doing future projects as a couple (e.g., buying a house together, investing or doing business together, planning for vacations in Asia, etc.) and finally considered getting married after looking carefully into the differences between PACs and marriage in France not only for our future projects but also for our relationship. It makes quite an important life marker to have your relationship legally recognized by the state and by your families.

On 11th May 2024, we finally tied the knot at the Mairie of Roubaix as a same-sex couple, witnessed and joined by our families and friends.

To Filipinos who are considering marrying a citizen in France, here are the steps I took that might help you with your journey:

Steps to Marry a French Citizen as a Filipino in France

Getting married in France as a Filipino to a French citizen involves several legal steps and documentation.

Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. Collect Required Documents

Ensure you have all the necessary documents for both the Filipino and the French citizen.

For the Filipino:

• Birth Certificate: Authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and then legalized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR): Issued by the PSA, also legalized by the DFA. I did this in the Philippines.
• Valid Passport: Original and copy of the data and signature pages of valid passport.
• Proof of Residency in France: If applicable.
• Legal Capacity to Marry (Certificat de Coutume): Issued by the Philippine Embassy in France. If you are a Filipino already living in France, I recommend you contact the embassy through email or via messenger on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PHinFrance/.
  • In my experience, the Philippine Embassy in Paris sent me a Service Request Form and a step-by-step guide in applying for a Certificat de Coutume. The Service Request Form lists all other requirements.
  • I was also advised to email the scanned copies of the required documents first for initial evaluation and completeness check, before purchasing a train ticket and to head down to Paris to submit the original copies in person.
  • Once the Embassy case handler gives you the green light, you may personally submit your application documents at the Philippine Embassy in Paris during weekdays, between 10AM and 4PM. 

Note: In my personal experience, I only needed the CENOMAR and the Certificat de Coutume for Marriage. It is best to ASK your specific mairie about the documents they need.

For the French Citizen:

• Birth Certificate: Issued within the last three months.
• Proof of Identity: National ID card or passport.
• Proof of Address: Recent utility bill or lease agreement.
• Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage (Certificat de Coutume): Issued by the town hall in France.

2. Submit Marriage Application

• At the French Town Hall (Mairie): The French partner should submit all necessary documents, including the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry for the Filipino partner, to the local town hall where the marriage will take place.
• Publication of Banns: The town hall will publicly announce the marriage intent for at least 10 days.

3. Attend Possible Interviews

• Interviews: The town hall might conduct interviews with both partners to verify the legitimacy of the relationship.

4. Civil Marriage Ceremony

• Schedule the Ceremony: Once the banns are published and any waiting period is observed, schedule the civil marriage ceremony at the town hall.
• Ceremony: Attend the ceremony with two witnesses. Since the ceremony will be conducted in French, a translator might be necessary if you’re not fluent.

5. Obtain the Marriage Certificate

• Livret de Famille: After the ceremony, you’ll receive a Livret de Famille, an official record of your marriage and any future children.
• Marriage Certificate Copies: Obtain multiple copies of the marriage certificate from the town hall.

6. Report the Marriage to the Philippine Embassy

• Register the Marriage: Notify the Philippine Embassy in France of your marriage. Provide the marriage certificate and other necessary documents to update your marital status in the Philippines. Since I entered a same-sex marriage, which does not exist in the Philippines at the time of this writing, I did NOT need to report my marriage with a French citizen to the Philippine embassy.

7. Post-Marriage Legalization

• Update Civil Status: Ensure your marital status is updated in both French and Filipino civil records.
• Residence Permit: Apply for a residence permit at the local prefecture if the Filipino partner plans to reside in France.

8. Additional Considerations

• Name Change: If you plan to change your name after marriage, update all legal documents, including your passport, national ID, and bank accounts.
• Prenuptial Agreement: If desired, draft and notarize a prenuptial agreement before the marriage.

By carefully following these steps and ensuring all documentation is properly prepared and submitted, a Filipino citizen can successfully marry a French citizen in France.

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