About the Author
Kwok is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Kwok has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every apostille and legalisation case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
Kwok Lam
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
British Nationals Getting Married or Entering a PACS in France
If you are a British national planning to get married or enter into a PACS in France, you must follow the correct French process.
Your marriage or civil partnership will usually be recognised in the UK if:
you follow the correct process under French law;
and the marriage or civil partnership would be allowed under UK law.
The French local authority or the person handling your ceremony can tell you which documents you need.
In France, British nationals may be asked for documents such as:
certificat de célibat;
certificat de coutume;
proof of identity;
proof of address;
birth certificate;
divorce document, if previously married;
death certificate, if widowed;
translation by a qualified translator, where required.
However, the UK Government does not issue a certificat de célibat or certificat de coutume for British nationals.
Instead, British nationals use a declaration sur l’honneur, or self-declaration form, for marriage or PACS in France.
Certificat de Célibat and Certificat de Coutume
French authorities may ask for a certificat de célibat or certificat de coutume.
These terms usually refer to documents showing that a person is free to marry and explaining the relevant foreign law on marriage capacity.
For British nationals, the UK does not issue these certificates.
The British Embassy form explains that these certificates do not exist in British law. It also states that British consular authorities cannot issue them. Instead, British nationals may complete a declaration on honour before the French local registrar officer.
This form is designed for British nationals who wish to marry or enter into a PACS under French law.
Declaration Sur L’Honneur for France
The declaration sur l’honneur is a self-declaration.
It replaces the certificat de célibat and certificat de coutume for British nationals.
In the form, you may need to confirm details such as:
your full name;
your date and place of birth;
whether you have never been married;
whether you have never entered into a PACS;
whether you are currently PACSed;
whether a previous marriage ended in divorce;
whether a previous spouse has died;
whether a previous PACS has ended.
You must complete the form carefully. Your name should match your current British passport. Your birth details should match your full birth certificate.
The form also includes French and English wording for French authorities.
The British Embassy Does Not Check the Declaration
The declaration is not the same as a certificate issued after official checks.
The form states that the British Embassy has not completed checks into the validity of the information provided by the applicant.
This means the applicant must take care when completing it.
You should check with the French mairie or civil registrar before submitting your documents. They can confirm whether they accept the form and whether they need supporting evidence.
Marriage and PACS Registration in France
A marriage or PACS completed in France will be registered in France.
It will not be added to UK records.
You cannot register the French marriage or PACS later at a UK register office, British Embassy or British Consulate.
You should keep your French marriage certificate or PACS document safely.
If you want to use the document outside France, you may need a translation or apostille, depending on the destination country.
You Were Previously Married
If you were previously married, the French authority may ask for proof that the previous marriage has ended.
For England and Wales, this usually means a:
Decree Absolute;
or Final Order.
A Decree Absolute is the older final divorce order. It usually applies to divorces completed before 6 April 2022.
A Final Order is the current final divorce order. It usually applies to divorce cases issued on or after 6 April 2022.
Both documents prove that the previous marriage has legally ended.
The French mairie may ask for the document in a specific format. It may also ask for an apostille or French translation.
If You Do Not Have Your UK Divorce Document
Many British nationals no longer have a clear copy of their Decree Absolute or Final Order.
Some only have:
an old scan;
a blurred photo;
a downloaded PDF;
an electronic court document;
a court email attachment;
or a copy from an old file.
This may cause problems if the French authority needs clear proof of divorce.
Ginkgo Advisory can help with the UK document stage.
We can assist with obtaining the correct UK divorce document where available, then prepare it for overseas use.
UK Divorce Documents for France Need Care
Modern UK divorce documents may be electronic.
Some come as court PDFs. Others may come with a covering email from the court.
A French local authority may not be familiar with the format of an English electronic divorce order.
A loose printout may not explain the document clearly. It may also fail to show the source trail.
A stronger route may include:
reviewing the UK court document;
checking whether it is a court PDF, HMCTS copy or paper order;
preparing solicitor certification;
arranging a UK FCDO apostille where needed;
then arranging French translation if required.
This gives the French authority a clearer document chain.
Do You Need an Apostille for France?
France and the UK both use the apostille system.
If the French mairie asks for a UK document to be legalised, this usually means a UK FCDO apostille.
For UK divorce documents, the common route may be:
UK divorce document → solicitor certification → UK FCDO apostille → French translation if required → use in France
The exact requirement depends on the French authority.
Some mairies may require certified translations. Some may also ask for documents to be issued within a certain period.
You should confirm the document format, apostille requirement and translation requirement before you start.
UK Civil Status Documents and Marginal Notes
French authorities may expect civil status documents to include marginal notes.
UK civil status documents do not work in the same way.
The British Embassy information note explains that civil status certificates in Great Britain do not have marginal annotations. It also states that British birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates, and their translations, remain valid regardless of the date of issue.
This point may help explain the difference between UK and French civil status records.
However, you should still check what the local French authority requires for your specific case.
How Ginkgo Advisory Helps
Ginkgo Advisory is a London-based legal service provider.
We assist with the UK document side of marriage or PACS preparation for France. This is especially useful if a British national was previously divorced in England or Wales.
We can help with:
UK Decree Absolute retrieval;
UK Final Order retrieval;
UK divorce document review;
solicitor certification;
UK FCDO apostille;
2 working days UK apostille service, where suitable;
document preparation for France marriage or PACS use.
We do not replace the French mairie, French civil registrar, British Embassy, British Consulate or a French translator.
You should always check the French marriage or PACS requirements directly with the local authority.
Our role is focused. We help ensure that the UK divorce document is obtained, reviewed, certified and apostilled correctly before you use it overseas.
British National Getting Married or Entering a PACS in France: UK Divorce Document Support
If you are a British national getting married or entering a PACS in France, your previous divorce may form part of your French paperwork.
If you divorced in England or Wales, your Decree Absolute or Final Order may need careful preparation.
Ginkgo Advisory can help you obtain the UK divorce document, prepare solicitor certification and arrange a UK FCDO apostille in suitable cases.
Contact Ginkgo Advisory for UK Decree Absolute / Final Order certification and apostille support for marriage or PACS in France.
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