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Article 171-5 of the French Civil Code

In order to be enforceable against third parties in France, the marriage record of a French national celebrated by a foreign authority must be transcribed into French civil status registers. In the absence of transcription, the marriage of a French national, validly celebrated by a foreign authority, produces its civil effects in France with regard to the spouses and children.

The future spouses are informed of the rules provided for in the first paragraph when the certificate of capacity to marry is issued.

The request for transcription is made to the consular or diplomatic authority competent with regard to the place of celebration of the marriage.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 171-5

Pour être opposable aux tiers en France, l’acte de mariage d’un Français célébré par une autorité étrangère doit être transcrit sur les registres de l’état civil français. En l’absence de transcription, le mariage d’un Français, valablement célébré par une autorité étrangère, produit ses effets civils en France à l’égard des époux et des enfants.

Les futurs époux sont informés des règles prévues au premier alinéa à l’occasion de la délivrance du certificat de capacité à mariage.

La demande de transcription est faite auprès de l’autorité consulaire ou diplomatique compétente au regard du lieu de célébration du mariage.

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