How do I find marriage records in France?
You can obtain a marriage certificate from the last hundred years from the registrar’s office (bureau de l’état civil)at the town hall (mairie). A copy of a marriage certificate will be sent by mail to direct descendants only. Marriage register (registre des actes de mariage).
How do I get my original birth certificate from France?
A birth certificate may be obtained from the Office of the Mayor (La Mairie) at the place of birth. The request should be in French. The request must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. There is no charge for a copy of a birth certificate.
How can I get my French birth certificate online?
In this case, you can order your birth certificate online at Follow the instructions to obtain your French birth certificate. Again, include your full name, the date and place of your birth, and the full names of your mother and father.
How do I get a copy of a death certificate in France?
Anyone is allowed to request a copy of a death certificate in France, and it has to be done at the mairie where the person died or that of the last place where they lived. Usually they will need the first name and surname of the person and the date when they died.
Does ancestry have records for France?
Welcome to our France family history research page. Here you’ll find record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you trace your France ancestors.
Does France have census records?
Because French censuses are not indexed, it is not easy to find a name in them. Church records and indexed civil registration are better sources. The first national census listing names in France was taken in the year 1772. Most national censuses from 1795 to 1836 show only statistics without personal names.
How do I get a French marriage certificate online?
Couples married in France automatically receive a livret de famille….
- Service Public and click on access online service.
- On the new page, Under reason for the request box select wedding and enter your postal code and town under municipal where the marriage was registered then click on button “Following” to proceed.
Who certifies documents in France?
Notaries
Notaries, who are authorised to certify documents, are tasked with this role. They are one of the legal professions authorised to certify documents and apply the seal of the French State.
How is death viewed in France?
A funeral ceremony in France can be secular and conducted by a funeral director, or religious and take place at a place of worship. After a death, the family have up to six working days (not including weekends or public holidays) to decide whether the deceased should have a cremation or burial.
How far back do French records go?
They have microfilmed civil registration records from about half of the departments in France up to 1870, and some departments up to 1890. You will generally find nothing microfilmed from the 1900s due to the 100 year privacy law.
How do I trace my French ancestors?
To find your ancestor’s place of origin in France, thoroughly research in US records. Sources most likely to indicate the place of birth or last residence before immigration include living relatives, family papers and photos, vital records, passenger lists, naturalization records and obituaries.
