Previously in French Polynesia, there was a 30-day residency criteria for overseas visitors wanting to get married. Since May 2009, the French government voted in a new law authorising foreign marriages to be conducted in Tahiti legally.
Who is eligible to get married in Tahiti?
- Both spouses must be at least 18 years old
- Neither spouse can be currently married (in France or overseas)
- Spouses must not be of the same sex
- The couple must not have a relationship in direct lineage
- The couple cannot be of French nationality
- Spouses cannot have resident status in France or its territories
- The bride and the groom should each choose witnesses (at least one, but no more than two, who are 18 years of age and over)
How long does it take?
- The completed file including all the documents (12 pages) must be sent at least 60 days prior to the marriage ceremony.
What needs to be ordered?
- Both future spouses will need to obtain a full copy of their Birth Certificates issued by the Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in their state of residency. (Fees may apply)
- If applicable, Death certificate of the former spouse for widows or widowers will be required too.
- These documents must have been issued less than 6 months prior to the date of marriage
- These documents must be authenticated and translated
What needs to be completed?
- The ‘Marriage of foreign citizens in French Polynesia’ form filled out by both spouses*
- A letter signed and dated by both spouses to the Mayor of Commune chosen for the marriage ceremony*
- A Non-Marital status Certificate issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in your state/territory of residency
What needs to be completed?
- Both future spouses will need to provide:
- Copies of their passports
- Proof of residence in Australia for both of the future spouses (electricity or telephone invoice for instance
What needs to be translated?
- The following documents must be translated into French by an approved translator
- The Birth Certificates
- The Certificate of Non-Marital status
- The Prenuptial/Marriage contract
What happens when I have all the documents?
- It is highly recommended to send all the documents in time to arrive at the mayor ‘s office of the chosen commune at least 60 days prior to the planned wedding date.
- After all the paperwork have been approved, you will receive a confirmation from the Mayor’s office of the chosen commune advising that the intended marriage and time have been approved.
- After submission of the documents a Non Opposition to Marriage document (‘Publication des Bans’), will be posted by the Mayor’s office
The Ceremony
- By French law, a ceremony must take place at the town hall of the chosen commune.
- On the day of the marriage, the future spouses, their guests and witnesses will proceed into the ‘Mairie’ (town hall) at the allocated.
- If the future spouses do not have witnesses, the mayor of the commune can provide them.
- Following the ceremony at the Town Hall, traditional wedding ceremonies can be organised to complete the civil marriage. Many hotels offer this service.
- The Mayor of the Commune which has performed the ceremony will provide a Marriage certificate.
- Also a French Family Record Book will be delivered to the spouses as official proof that the marriage ceremony was held.
