For weddings in Australia, a French national can request a certificate of capacity to marry and later transcribe the marriage into French registers (strongly recommended). Marriages before French authorities are only for couples who are both French and not local nationals.
Where to apply in Australia
Consulate-General in Sydney (page written for Sydney).
Sydney: banns/capacity file by post at least 2 weeks before the wedding; transcription by post only.
Contact details for every office are on the page of the embassy and consulates of France.
How to apply
Post the capacity-certificate file to the civil registry | after the wedding post the transcription form with documents
Documents you need
- Australian certificates with apostille (JP certification not accepted)
- French birth certificate under 3 months
- Transcription form
Fees and processing time
The official pages do not publish a fee for this service. Ask the office before you apply.
Processing time: Transcription 1 week to 1 month.
Good to know
Page updated 24 Sep 2026. Interview may be requested.
Official sources
Check before you apply
This page summarises information published by France's official channels, last checked on 24 octubre 2026. Fees and requirements can change at short notice, so confirm with the office that will handle your case.
Spotted a change? Let us know.
More services of France in Australia
- Apostille and legalisation of documents
- Birth declaration or transcription
- Certificate of registration / residence and change of residence
- Citizen census registration and Defence and Citizenship Day (JDC)
- Death declaration or transcription
- Declaration of loss or theft of French documents
- Digital identity certification (France Identite)
- Emergency passport
- French nationality (marriage, naturalisation, reintegration)
- French visa (France-Visas)
- Laissez-passer (single-journey travel document)
- Life certificate for pensions
- National identity card (CNIe)
- PACS registration
- Passport application or renewal (in person)
- Registration on the register of French nationals abroad
- Remote passport renewal (trial)
- Voting from abroad and proxy voting