Call Us + 33 1 84 88 31 00

Article L823-11 of the French Code governing the entry and residence of foreign nationals and the right of asylum

It is punishable by five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros for any person to contract a marriage or recognise a child for the sole purpose of obtaining, or having obtained, a residence permit or the benefit of protection against expulsion, or for the sole purpose of acquiring, or having acquired, French nationality. These penalties are also incurred when the foreign national who has entered into the marriage has concealed his or her intentions from his or her spouse.
These same penalties are applicable in the event of organising or attempting to organise a marriage or recognition of a child for the same purposes.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article L823-11


Est puni de cinq ans d’emprisonnement et de 15 000 euros d’amende le fait, pour toute personne, de contracter un mariage ou de reconnaître un enfant aux seules fins d’obtenir, ou de faire obtenir, un titre de séjour ou le bénéfice d’une protection contre l’éloignement, ou aux seules fins d’acquérir, ou de faire acquérir, la nationalité française. Ces peines sont également encourues lorsque l’étranger qui a contracté mariage a dissimulé ses intentions à son conjoint.
Ces mêmes peines sont applicables en cas d’organisation ou de tentative d’organisation d’un mariage ou d’une reconnaissance d’enfant aux mêmes fins.

Need help with this article? Get help from a French lawyer

Our French business lawyers are here to help.
We offer a FREE evaluation of your case.
Call us at +33 (0) 1 84 88 31 00 or send us an email.

Useful links

You have a question in French Business Law?

Our French business lawyers are here to help.
We offer a FREE evaluation of your case.
Call +33 (0) 1 84 88 31 00 or send us an email.

All information exchanged through this website will be communicated to lawyers registered with a French Bar and will remain confidential.