"A government priority": Gérald Darmanin wants to step up the fight against fraudulent marriages

In a circular sent yesterday to prosecutors, which BFMTV was able to consult, Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin called on public prosecutors to "pay particular attention to the information provided by civil status officers, particularly when it is likely to cast doubt on the reality of the future spouses' matrimonial intentions."

He recalls that "an irregular administrative situation on the national territory must call for increased vigilance." A marriage "requires the existence of consent from both spouses."

The civil registrar who celebrates the union must, beforehand, check the reality of the spouses' matrimonial intention based on concrete elements. These checks are based on the marriage file, the elements collected during the joint hearing of the future spouses, and any other external circumstantial element received.

Civil registrars sometimes have reason to fear that the proposed marriage is forced or fraudulent. In this case, they must speak individually with each of the future spouses as required by the law of August 24, 2021 .

Gérald Darmanin reminds us that "in case of doubt about the situation of the future spouses and on the proposal of the mayor, the suspension of the celebration of the marriage must now be preferred."

"The fight against fraudulent marriages, before they are celebrated, is a government priority. Prosecutors must support civil registrars, in a strengthened dialogue and in trust with mayors and their departments," says Gérald Darmanin.

Please note that penalties for fraudulent marriage can reach a fine of 15,000 euros and up to five years' imprisonment, as provided for in Article L823-11 of the Code on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right to Asylum .