What is a wedding capacity certificate (CCAM)?
Certificate of matrimonial capacity: for the marriage of a French abroad abroad
The certificate of marriage capacity (CCAM) is a document required in certain countries for foreign couples who wish to get married. It makes it possible to prove that future spouses meet the legal conditions to marry in accordance with the laws of their country (age, absence of kinship links, etc.). It also serves to verify their nationality and legal residence.
An obligation to marry abroad
The certificate of marriage capacity is compulsory to get married abroadand this, whatever the country where marriage takes place. It constitutes a guarantee for foreign authorities that marriage respects French laws and that future spouses are not already engaged in another legal union.
Morocco, Algeria, Senegal…: Does the certificate of marriage capacity concern all countries?
The wedding capacity certificate (CCAM) is not required in all countriesbut it is requested in a large number of states, especially when marriage implies a French national and that it must be celebrated abroad.
Country where the CCAM is compulsory
Countries like the Morocco, Algeria or Senegalas well as many other States in Africa, the Middle East or Asia, demand the presentation of the CCAM before celebrating a marriage involving a French national. It serves to confirm that marriage respects French legal conditions.
Country where the CCAM is not systematically required
In some countries, local authorities do not ask for the CCAM. However, he remains strongly recommended For marriage to be recognized in France. Without CCAM, the spouses could encounter difficulties in transcribing their marriage on the French registers or to assert their matrimonial rights.
Why is the certificate of marriage capacity necessary to marry abroad?
Check the legality of marriage according to French law
The wedding capacity certificate makes it possible to verify that future spouses meet all the legal conditions provided by French law. This includes in particular the minimum age required, the lack of kinship, as well as the fact that the spouses are not already married. This verification is essential for marriage to be also recognized as valid in France.
Prevent fraudulent or irregular marriages
The CCAM plays a role of protection against simulated marriages, forced or which can be considered void according to French legislation. It constitutes insurance for the foreign and French authorities that marriage is based on Free and enlightened consent of the two parties, thus guaranteeing the legal validity and the protection of the rights of the spouses.
Confirm the identity and nationality of future spouses
The certificate includes precise checks on the identity, nationality and residence of future spouses. This information allows consulates and embassies to ensure that all administrative conditions are met before the celebration of marriage, which simplifies the procedure and reduces the risks of dispute or refusal by local authorities.
Facilitate recognition of marriage in France
Without the CCAM, a marriage celebrated abroad could not to be officially recognized in Francewhich can pose legal problems for heritage, estate or family rights. The certificate guarantees that marriage will have full legal value from its celebration, allowing the spouses to benefit from all the rights and protections linked to marriage in France.
What are the other documents to marry abroad?
The French who want to marry abroad, in addition to the required CCAM, must provide other documents:
- A valid French passportas well as a visa depending on the country.
- The original birth certificate.
- Proof of French citizenship (identity card or certificate of nationality).
Sometimes countries can also require a certificate of residence in France and a celibacy or non-mariage certificate. In many countries, documents must be translated by an approved translator.
Where to request the certificate of marriage capacity?
The certificate of marriage capacity must be requested from French authorities competent, depending on the place where you are and your wedding project.
At the French Embassy
For future spouses who resident in the country where marriage must be celebratedthe request can be made directly at the French Embassy. The embassy then examines the file, checks the civil status of the spouses and ensures that they meet the legal conditions to marry. It then delivers the CCAM, valid for the celebration of marriage abroad.
At the French Consulate
In most countries, the French consulate is the competent authority for processing requests for certificate of marriage capacity. The consulate provides the list of documents to be provided, the deadlines and formalities specific to the country where marriage takes place. The request must be made several weeks Before the scheduled date of marriage.
From France to town hall
For future spouses who prepare their marriage abroad, but who are still in France, certain steps can be initiated with their Town hall of residencewhich can guide them on the procedure and provide them with the necessary documents to constitute a file intended for the embassy or the consulate.
Go to foreign authority
Married future must also address the foreign authority, in order to inquire about the conditions necessary for the Wedding validity in the country in which they wish to get married. Each country can have its own complementary requirements (publication of banns, presence of witnesses, etc.).
How to make a request and obtain a certificate of marriage capacity?
The request for a certificate of marriage capacity must follow a specific procedure, whether to the authorities of the country of origin of the bride and groom or those of the country of the place of marriage.
Dematerialization of procedures
Some embassies and some consulates have gradually set up Procedures partially online For CCAM’s request. It is now possible in some countries to download official forms from the Embassy or Consulate website, then make an appointment online to submit the file,
It is also possible to submit certain documents in digital version before maintenance, thus reducing the processing time. This aims to speed up the procedure and reduce the number of trips necessary for future spouses.
Wedding capacity certificate: request form and file
The procedure is administrative. The consulate or the embassy require the constitution ofA file by each of the two spouseswhich includes several elements:
- an information sheet (or form) on future spouses;
- a copy of the birth certificate of each of the spouses, dating from less than three or six months depending on the country;
- the justification of French nationality;
- proof of address.
Since 2023, French consulates have requested strict attention to civil status documents. This means that the file must be complete and complies upon the deposit, under penalty of refusal or delay.
Certificate of marriage capacity: hearing and questions to the spouses
The consulate or the embassy has the right to hear the spouses, in order to ensure the reality of consent and to avoid irregularity. If the validity of the marriage seems doubtful, the authority must inform the Public Prosecutor who decides within six months, either by granting the transcription, or by asking the judge the nullity of the marriage.
Wedding act abroad: transcription
Once the marriage is celebrated before the foreign authority, the latter must proceed to its transcription on the registers of consular civil status, so that marriage is enforceable in France. However, you should know that this transcription is not made automatically! It must result from the spouses’ request to the competent authority.
Once the transcription has been carried out, a marriage certificate and a French family book are issued to the new spouses.
What to do in case of refusal to issue a certificate of marriage capacity?
Understand the reason for refusal
The first step is to officially request the reasons for refusal with the embassy, the consulate or the town hall which processed the request. The most frequent reasons include an anterior non -dissolved marriage, an age lower than the legal minimum, or even incomplete, incorrect or non -compliant documents.
Provide additional or rectified documents
In some cases, the refusal can be lifted by providing additional supporting documents or by correcting errors in the folder. For example: a recent birth certificate, a celibacy certificate, an official translation or proof of dissolution of a previous marriage.
Seize the competent administrative authority
If the refusal persists, it is possible to challenge the decision to the administrative authority French who issued the refusal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy or Consulate). This approach must be done in writing, clearly exposing the reasons and joining all the supporting documents.
Jurisdictional appeal
As a last resort, an appeal to the competent judicial court can be considered. The court may order the administration to issue the CCAM if the legal conditions are actually met. This appeal is often long and requires the support of a specialized lawyer.
What is the deadline for obtaining a certificate of marriage capacity?
In some countries, the certificate of marriage capacity can be quickly obtained in Four to eight weeks. For other foreign authorities, the period extends to several months. The consulates recommend making the request at least three months before marriage, which corresponds to the usual validity of the certificate (minimum of six months).
How long is the validity of the wedding capacity certificate?
A wedding capacity certificate is valid six month from his delivery. After this period, the certificate can be considered expired by the foreign or French authorities. This means that if marriage is not celebrated in this time, future spouses will have to request a new certificate before the ceremony.
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