french PACS

[whl]

I am American and my partner is French.
For us to get the PACS there are a few document I must submit from my end. One is an "Affidavit of Law" that states that I am of legal age, that I am not married and that I am not under someone's official "care" or responsibility. Does this make sense to anyone? Any advice on where to obtain such a document?

[Bevdeforges]

It may have changed since I got married here in France, but back then (1995) you had to get a "Certificat de coutume" from an attorney licensed to practice law both in France and in the US. The US Consulate has a list of English speaking attorneys in the Paris area that indicates those who are dual qualified in this manner. (On the American side, it doesn't matter what state the attorney is qualified in.) This will cost you a couple hundred euros at a minimum.

Some foreigners can get this sort of affidavit through their consulate, but the US consulate doesn't (or didn't in 1995) do this. Check with the consulate first, on the off chance they have changed their policy. There is (or was) a similar document required from the consulate - but they would only issue it once you had the certificat de coutume from an attorney.

Get used to it. The paper chase is a big part of Life in France, and whether or not the documents they ask for make any sense is totally irrelevant!
Cheers,
Bev

[giantpanda]

Hi!

Here the papers you would require.

Conclusion d'un pacte civil de solidarité - Service-public.fr

Difficult to know which one you are referring to.

Normally the American consulate should be able to advise you.
Or if you are still in the USA the French Consulate.

Yours,

giantpanda