Elaborate as a royal event, or as simple as an “I do” on a sugar-white beach…a Tahitian wedding ceremony* is for many a dream come true. There’s no more enchanting way to exchange vows, celebrate an anniversary, or promise yourself to your loved one, than one of these traditional Polynesian celebrations.

Marriage Formalities

Marriage between two foreign persons or between French national and a foreign person, must follow and respect the form and conditions provided for in the legislation for public order: legal age limit, freedom from previous marital engagement, marriage arranged by parents within legal limits, mourning period for women. In order to verify if the projected marriage is not contrary to public order, the municipal authority has the right to demand a customary certificate from the foreign authorities (ministry of consulate) if the couple does not exercise the right of their own national law.

Article 74 of Civil Code provides that “the marriage will be conducted in the commune where one of the future spouses has an address or has established residency for a month of continued habitation from the date of publication provided by law.”

The publication of marriage bans will be done during 10 days at the entrance of the Town House. In case one of the future spouses has neither address nor residence in France, the publication must be done in the place of his/her residence and must be verified by a certificate of publication.

Verifying documents to be presented for the marriage include:

1 birth certificate for each of the future spouses (issued within the last 3 months)

1 pre-marriage medical certificate for each of the future spouses (issued within the last 2 months);

1 certificate of residency (1 month of residency at least);

birth certificate of children to be legitimized;

1 copy of the notarized marriage contract. It is requested from foreign born persons;

1 customary certificate

1 certificate of celibacy

1 birth certificate translated into French

1 certificate of residency (with 1 month residency in the commune selected for the marriage)

a publication of marriage bans will be posted for 10 days in the commune where the marriage will take place and in the last place of residence of the future spouse not residing in French Polynesia.