Can UK residents marry in France?

OUR son wants to get married in our local church in France, but he lives in England, as does his fiancée. Is it correct that they have to have been in France for 40 days beforehand, or is it sufficient that we have lived here for 15 years? Also, is the civil marriage valid in England or do they need to have a register office wedding there? M.B.

A CIVIL part to a marriage is essential in France before a marriage in church is possible.

For this, one condition is that at least one member of the couple should be able to show a link with the local area.

According to the letter of the law, they should have their home in the commune, or at least to have been physically living there continuously for at least a month. It is common to be asked to prove it with a rental contract, utility bill etc.

However some mairies interpret this rule more strictly than others. In some, for example, it is enough that your parents should live in the commune, or in some cases, even that they have a holiday home there. You need to ask yours about their policy.

The religious element depends on the rules of the relevant church. In the case of a wedding in a Roman Catholic church, at least one member of the couple must be a Catholic.

When one is not, a dispensation from the bishop is asked for (and is usually granted).

The Abbé Drillon, Chancellor of the Diocese of Nice, said that, in the case where residents abroad want to marry in France, they should arrange to prepare for their wedding with a priest near their home (ie. in the UK), who should be asked to authorise that the marriage should take place abroad.

They should then seek the agreement of the priest of the church where they wish to marry in France, which will usually be granted unless there are practical difficulties (for example, it is not possible at the date the couple requests).

A French marriage is perfectly valid in the United Kingdom.