A marriage celebrated in Dakar is not automatically registered in France. For it to take effect in the French civil status records, three steps follow one another, governed by articles 171-1 to 171-8 of the Civil Code.
1. Before the wedding: the certificate of capacity to marry (CCAM)
A French national marrying abroad before a local authority must first obtain a CCAM (article 171-2 of the Civil Code). In Senegal, the file is submitted only by appointment booked online, by one of the future spouses. The banns are published for 10 days. An interview may be requested.
The processing times announced by the consulate are long: acknowledgement of receipt about 5 months after submission, issue in 6 months on average for a complete file. The consulate recommends not setting the wedding date before obtaining the CCAM, which is valid for 1 year.
2. The celebration
The consulate does not set the date: you must contact the Senegalese civil status office. Under article 121 of the Senegalese Family Code, the marriage is celebrated at the civil status centre of the domicile or residence of one of the spouses. Two French nationals without Senegalese nationality may also marry at the consulate, by submitting the file at least two months in advance.
3. After the wedding: transcription
The French spouse applies for transcription of the Senegalese marriage certificate (article 171-5 of the Civil Code). If the marriage took place without a CCAM, transcription is preceded by an interview of the spouses (article 171-7). The public prosecutor may object if he suspects the marriage is void.
Religious or customary marriage
Once married religiously, you can no longer obtain a CCAM. The marriage must be recorded by the Senegalese civil status office within 6 months, with four witnesses. After that, a judgment authorising late registration is required before applying for transcription.
A spouse visa refused afterwards? See our page on spouse of a French national visa refusals.
How we help
Interviews, refused transcriptions, objections by the public prosecutor in Nantes, unrecorded customary marriages: these are the files we handle every day. Legal Field Avocats assists you from the CCAM application through to court proceedings if necessary.
Planning a Franco-Senegalese marriage? Call us on +221 33 844 29 16.
Sources: French Consulate General in Dakar – Marriage (in French); French Civil Code, articles 171-1 to 171-9.
See also: French civil status in West Africa, country by country · French visa refusal lawyer
LEGAL FIELD AVOCATS
14 rue Woro Fila, Fann Hock, Dakar, Senegal
Phone: +221 33 844 29 16
Email: contact@fbavocat-sn.com
Our correspondent law firm in France:
FB AVOCAT
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Phone: +33 9 85 40 18 64
Email: contact@legalfb-avocat.fr