Why does it take a month or more to register a marriage in France?

[capnbooboo]

I just asked about the process in France if i got married in the U.S. and i was told i have to wait a month after submitting requested documents, what exactly do they do that takes a month or more, anyone know?

[Bevdeforges]

In France, your birth certificate is updated for major life events, like marriage, divorce and your eventual death. (This is why they usually ask for a birth certificate within the last three months - to make sure it has been updated with any "late breaking" events.)

Depending on the mairie for the town in which a French person was born, it can take a couple weeks to a couple of months to get around to updating their birth records, even if the events took place in France. Actually, everything in France takes time.
Cheers,
Bev

[capnbooboo]

oh i was asking what they do that takes so long to process as to the USA where we use computers.

i imagined by now that France can verify information outside the country but my fiance says they take just as long with EU citizens to process documents requested for a marriage, but why so long i thought

[Bevdeforges]

First of all, the US government system of computers isn't all you might think it is. There is constant talk of how antiquated the government computer network is, and the expense to actually make a functional network of even just the federal part of things. Birth records in the US are handled by the states and local governments and they aren't linked as it is. (The main reason why your birth records in the US aren't updated for life events, like your death. It's fairly easy to get the birth certificate of a dead person to use for a false identity in the US.)

Then again, local records in France generally haven't been computerized yet. There are 35,000 towns in France, each with their own birth records going back hundreds of years. In some towns, there are only one or two town employees and the town hall is only open a couple of afternoons a week. Let's just say updating and computerizing birth records isn't really a priority.
Cheers,
Bev

[capnbooboo]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

First of all, the US government system of computers isn't all you might think it is. There is constant talk of how antiquated the government computer network is, and the expense to actually make a functional network of even just the federal part of things. Birth records in the US are handled by the states and local governments and they aren't linked as it is. (The main reason why your birth records in the US aren't updated for life events, like your death. It's fairly easy to get the birth certificate of a dead person to use for a false identity in the US.)

Then again, local records in France generally haven't been computerized yet. There are 35,000 towns in France, each with their own birth records going back hundreds of years. In some towns, there are only one or two town employees and the town hall is only open a couple of afternoons a week. Let's just say updating and computerizing birth records isn't really a priority.
Cheers,
Bev

thats very interesting, i do love France allot, especially outside Paris in the South.

Thanks

Originally Posted by capnbooboo

oh i was asking what they do that takes so long to process as to the USA where we use computers.

Well whaddya know, we've heard of them thar com-pu-ter thingys here too. However, because they were not invented here, I doubt that they'll catch on too well..... Quills and candles rule....

A month, you reckon, for updating? That's positively breakneck speed for froggy officialdom, I wouldn't complain too loudly in case someone notices it and puts your paperwork back at the bottom of an in-tray - a few times....

Chill out and get used to it - it's the un-american way.......

[capnbooboo]

Originally Posted by minesthechevy

Well whaddya know, we've heard of them thar com-pu-ter thingys here too. However, because they were not invented here, I doubt that they'll catch on too well..... Quills and candles rule....

A month, you reckon, for updating? That's positively breakneck speed for froggy officialdom, I wouldn't complain too loudly in case someone notices it and puts your paperwork back at the bottom of an in-tray - a few times....

Chill out and get used to it - it's the un-american way.......

hahaha i heard that before, im not stressing like those tourists cause we will be married and we have allot of time


But i must say who ever it was that i spoke to in the French Consulate in San Francisco was so rude, the woman pretended she could not hear anything until i asked in French if she spoke english, Before i could ask a question she said go to the website and hung up, same thing with another Consulate, no luck until i came here and i still think i may have to hire a lawyer to deal with this in France, if anyone knows one for the south near midi Pyrenees do let me know.

All this culture struggles for power between french and english leaves many wondering why people think they are rude actually, I lived in Montreal and when i went to the bank on Saint Denise i noticed a sign clearly saying if anyone refuses to speak English call a number to complain., i then realized it was in almost all types of banks, stores etc, but i got along well, someone told me it was the Brits in Canada they hate, but when i asked about al this mambo jumbo i was told that many expats who lived in France discovered that most Nationalistic types tend to believe in the Myth that the little country the size of Texas is still more powerful then the whole UNITED STATES, i also watched this documentary once in Spain where 2 spanish expats that lived in Paris for 20 years claimed that many in France believe they are still a world power and refuse to bend into bilingual conversations

just came across this link, funny one

STM bus driver refuses to speak English, calls police - Soundoff

How are english speaking foreigners treated in Montreal?

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by capnbooboo

But i must say who ever it was that i spoke to in the French Consulate in San Francisco was so rude, the woman pretended she could not hear anything until i asked in French if she spoke english, Before i could ask a question she said go to the website and hung up, same thing with another Consulate, no luck until i came here and i still think i may have to hire a lawyer to deal with this in France, if anyone knows one for the south near midi Pyrenees do let me know.

Another thing you'd best get used to. Most "civil servants" in France are famous for their rude, arrogant treatment of the public - and it's normally worse if they are forced to deal with foreigners.

OK, perhaps a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

But another hint - don't be too quick to go lawyering up on an immigration issue. France is NOT a litigious society like the US is. Other than starting a business (and sometimes not even then) you don't normally consult with the lawyers until and unless you've been accused of doing something wrong.

For something simple like a visa or taking nationality, it's part of the process to have to muddle through on your own. If you show up with your lawyer in tow, you're kind of asking for trouble. (And I say that from personal experience.)
Cheers,
Bev

[capnbooboo]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Another thing you'd best get used to. Most "civil servants" in France are famous for their rude, arrogant treatment of the public - and it's normally worse if they are forced to deal with foreigners.

OK, perhaps a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

But another hint - don't be too quick to go lawyering up on an immigration issue. France is NOT a litigious society like the US is. Other than starting a business (and sometimes not even then) you don't normally consult with the lawyers until and unless you've been accused of doing something wrong.

For something simple like a visa or taking nationality, it's part of the process to have to muddle through on your own. If you show up with your lawyer in tow, you're kind of asking for trouble. (And I say that from personal experience.)
Cheers,
Bev

wow i did get that impression,

Maybe i will just consult one to make sure i have proper paperwork together in case of any mistakes.

so nice to find kind souls on the net, ten years ago this advise would cost us all.

Thank you!

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by capnbooboo

wow i did get that impression,

Maybe i will just consult one to make sure i have proper paperwork together in case of any mistakes.

My advice would be not to bother. The French are not as "literal minded" about the law as the Americans. They won't deny your application for a minor error, and if they do deny your application, they don't have to tell you why they did. (In Canada this is sometimes referred to as "Just cause" as in "Just 'cause they can.")

Besides, if you apply for a visa as the spouse of a French citizen, they can't refuse you unless you are a threat to national security or refuse to learn French. (At least that's what they say on the Service Public website now.)
Cheers,
Bev