The French seek to limit illegals' rights to marry
In France, the right to marry is protected by Articles 144 and following of the Civil Code, Articles 2 and 4 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789 (DDHC), and Articles 8, 12, and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). However, France retains a margin of appreciation regarding the limitations placed on marriage and may therefore legislate on the matter as it sees fit.
On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the French Senate passed a bill aiming to prohibit marriage in France when one of the future spouses is residing illegally in the country. The proposal seeks to add the phrase “marriage may not be contracted by a person residing illegally on national territory” to Article 143-1 of the Civil Code. In other words: "No papers? No marriage!" This would put an end to the provisions of Article 9 of the law of October 29, 1981, “relating to the conditions of entry/stay of foreigners and aimed at improving the legal status of foreigners in France,” which currently allows individuals in an irregular situation to marry.
However, let’s not jump the gun! The bill faces a major hurdle: the Constitutional Council, in its decision 2003-484 DC, paragraphs 96 to 97, dated November 20, 2003, held that “equating irregular residence with serious suspicion of lack of consent is unconstitutional.” So, is this a reversal of position or not? The answer remains uncertain... And above all, before ringing the wedding bells (or panicking), let’s remember that the bill must also pass through the National Assembly. In other words, until the deputies say "yes," the law hasn’t yet made it to the legislative altar.
Nevertheless, in cases of irregular immigration status, an immigration lawyer can assist you in obtaining, where possible, the residence permit best suited to your situation. Moreover, following a marriage with a French national, new residence permit options may become available to the foreign spouse. So don’t hesitate to consult a lawyer — sometimes, love needs a good case file.
Le club des juristes, 19 février 2025. Interdire les mariages avec un étranger en situation irrégulière : une proposition de loi examinée jeudi 20 février au Sénat. Consulté le 15/04/2025. En ligne. https://www.leclubdesjuristes.com/en-bref/interdire-les-mariages-avec-un-etranger-en-situation-irreguliere-une-proposition-de-loi-examinee-jeudi-20-fevrier-au-senat-9336/
DERVIEUX Valérie Odile, 20 février 2025. Le maire, la mariée et l’étranger sous OQTF. Lextenso. Consulté le 15/04/2025. En ligne. https://www.actu-juridique.fr/droit-etrangers/le-maire-la-mariee-et-letranger-sous-oqtf/
