Getting Married in France to a Spanish or Latin American National
Here is a short FAQ to help you with the administrative formalities if you are planning to get married in France to a Spanish or Latin American national.
FAQ – Sworn translation, apostille and administrative formalities
This page answers the most frequently asked questions about getting married in France to a national of Spain or a Latin American country.
Do you need a sworn translation to marry a foreign national in France?
Yes.
For a marriage in France, all documents written in a foreign language must be translated into French.
The town hall requires a sworn translation, i.e. one carried out by a sworn translator registered with a French court of appeal.
Is a Spanish sworn translation valid in France?
No, in most cases.
A translation done by a sworn translator in Spain or Latin America may be rejected by a French town hall, even if it has been apostilled.
French town halls are entitled to require a translation:
- carried out in France,
- by a French sworn translator,
- recognised by the French judicial authorities.
Why do French town halls sometimes reject foreign translations?
Because a foreign sworn translator:
- comes under their own national legal system,
- is not registered on an official French list,
- cannot be held liable before a French court.
The refusal is legally justified, even if the translation is of good quality.
Which documents must be translated for a Franco-Spanish or Franco-Latin American marriage?
Depending on the situation, the town hall may ask for:
- a foreign birth certificate,
- a certificate of no impediment to marriage (single status or capacity to marry),
- a certificate of custom law (certificat de coutume),
- a divorce judgment or death certificate (where applicable).
All these documents must be translated into French by a sworn translator in France.
Do Spanish or Latin American documents need an apostille?
It depends on the country that issued the document.
- Spain and many Latin American countries are parties to the Hague Convention
→ an apostille is often required - Some countries are not parties to it
→ consular legalisation
The apostille applies to the original document, not to the translation (except in very specific cases).
In what order should the apostille and the translation be done?
Recommended order (the safest):
- Original foreign document
- Apostille or legalisation (if required)
- Sworn translation in France
- Submission of the marriage file to the town hall
Translating before the apostille may make the translation unusable.
Does the sworn translator’s signature need to be legalised?
No, unless the French authorities expressly ask for it, which is rare.
For the vast majority of marriages:
- the French sworn translation is sufficient,
- no apostille or legalisation of the translator’s signature is required.
Are the rules the same in every French town hall?
No.
Every town hall applies national regulations, but some may be:
- stricter,
- more attentive to form,
- more demanding about the order of the steps.
A translation accepted in one town may be rejected in another.
Can a town hall reject a file that has already been submitted?
Yes.
A marriage file may be rejected or put on hold if:
- the translation does not comply,
- the translator is not sworn in France,
- the apostille is missing or in the wrong place,
- the documents are incomplete.
How can you avoid having your marriage refused or postponed?
The best way is to:
- check the town hall’s exact requirements in advance,
- use a sworn translator in France who is used to international marriages,
- follow the right order of steps.
This helps avoid delays, stress and extra costs.
Why choose a sworn translator specialising in Spain and Latin America?
A specialised translator knows:
- Spanish and Latin American documents,
- the practical requirements of French town halls,
- the common mistakes that hold up files,
- actual administrative practice (not just theory).
