Getting married in France? Here’s everything you need to know about the famous French marriage booklet!
Picture This…
You’re standing in a beautiful Mairie (town hall) in France, hand in hand with your love, as the officiant pronounces you married. The room is filled with smiles, and just as you’re about to bask in the joy of the moment, the official hands you… a booklet.
“Here is your Livret de Famille,” they say with a knowing smile.
You look at your new spouse. “Our first souvenir from France?” you joke. But as you flip through the pages, you start to wonder—what exactly IS this little book, and do we really need it?
Let’s dive into this uniquely French tradition and why it matters for couples planning a wedding in France.
What is a Livret de Famille? (And Why French Weddings Have One!)
A Livret de Famille is a small official booklet issued by the French government that serves as an ongoing record of a family’s major life events. It includes:
📜 Your marriage details (date, place, official signatures)
👶 Birth or adoption records of children
💔 Divorce or separation updates (hopefully never needed!)
⚰ Death certificates of family members (a bit morbid, but practical)
Think of it as a family scrapbook—but one that the French government actually cares about.
Do You Need One for Your Destination Wedding in France?
If you’re legally getting married in France, the answer is oui! You’ll receive a Livret de Famille automatically after your civil ceremony at the local Mairie.
But if you’re having a symbolic ceremony (like a château wedding in Provence or an elopement in Paris), you won’t need one—because a civil marriage is the only way to be legally wed in France.
How to Get a Livret de Famille (Step-by-Step)
Planning a legal wedding in France? Here’s what you need to do:
1️⃣ Meet the residency requirement – At least one of you must live in France for 30 days before applying.
2️⃣ Submit the paperwork – You’ll need birth certificates, proof of residency, and other documents (which, let’s be honest, will probably take some time).
3️⃣ Say “Oui” at the Mairie – Your civil wedding is the only legal part. Any religious or symbolic celebration comes after this.
4️⃣ Receive your Livret de Famille – The Mairie will hand it to you immediately after the ceremony.
Livret de Famille vs. Marriage Certificate: What’s the Difference?
Many couples confuse the Livret de Famille with a marriage certificate. Let’s clear it up:
✅ Marriage Certificate – The official proof that you are legally married. You’ll need this for visas, name changes, and international paperwork.
✅ Livret de Famille – A family record that stays with you for life, used primarily within France for things like registering children, school enrollments, or legal matters.
💡 If you plan to live in France, keep your Livret de Famille safe—it will come in handy more than you think!
Common Myths About the Livret de Famille
❌ “You need a Livret de Famille to get married in France.”
Nope! You get it AFTER your civil wedding.
❌ “Only French citizens can get a Livret de Famille.”
Not true! If you have a civil wedding in France, you’ll receive one—no matter your nationality.
❌ “It replaces a marriage certificate.”
Not at all! You still need your marriage certificate for legal documents, especially outside of France.
Top Wedding Destinations in France (+ Legal Info)
Dreaming of a French wedding? Here are some of the most popular locations for destination weddings:
🏰 Paris – The city of love! Perfect for elegant elopements and chic celebrations. Check out Paris City Hall for legal wedding info.
🌿 Provence – Think lavender fields and rustic vineyard weddings. You’ll need to handle legal paperwork at the Avignon Mairie.
🏖 French Riviera (Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez) – For glamorous seaside weddings, check the Nice Mairie for marriage requirements.
🍷 Bordeaux – A paradise for wine lovers! Get legal details from the Bordeaux City Hall.
Since legal weddings require residency, most foreign couples do the paperwork at home and have a symbolic ceremony in France—the best of both worlds!
What If You Lose Your Livret de Famille?
Lost your booklet while moving from Paris to Provence? Don’t panic! You can request a duplicate at the Mairie where you got married.
📌 Pro tip: Scan it and keep a digital copy in case you ever need to replace it!
Final Thoughts: A Little Book with a Big Role
The Livret de Famille is more than just a piece of French bureaucracy—it’s a living record of your journey together. While you might not need it for a dreamy château wedding, it plays a key role for couples making their marriage legally official in France.
And whether you’re tying the knot in Paris, Provence, or the Riviera, the most important thing is capturing the magic of your wedding day—because paperwork fades, but memories last forever.
Planning a Destination Wedding in France? Let’s Capture Every Moment!
Your wedding is more than just a day—it’s a story waiting to be told. As a destination wedding photographer, I specialize in capturing the raw emotions, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable details of your French love story.
📸 See my latest work: Your Happy Moments Blog
💍 Explore photography packages: Investment
💌 Let’s start planning: Contact me here
Because every love story deserves to be told beautifully. 💕
