Family Matters (Marriage, PACS) in France: real experience from chats
Short answer
Eligibility for the minimum vieillesse depends on the couple's total income, provided the beneficiary resides in France at least nine months annually. Marriage or PACS registration requires specific documentation like a 'certificat de coutume' or birth certificate, often obtainable through the consulate or Mairie. Note that PACS does not grant automatic residency, and French citizenship cannot be acquired by parents through family reunification.
From real experience
Eligibility for French social pension (minimum vieillesse) for a spouse of a French national with a residency permit (titre de séjour) depends on several factors: duration of marriage, own work history in France, and the couple's total income.
The 'minimum vieillesse' aims to bring the total household income up to a certain threshold (around €1620/month as of 2024). If the spouse's pension/income is €1000, the minimum vieillesse could add €620. However, this benefit is contingent on residing in France for at least 9 months a year and will cease upon permanent relocation outside of France. It is advisable to consult with an 'assistante sociale' for personalized guidance and refer to French legislation regarding retirement benefits for non-working spouses.
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For Russian citizens marrying in France, a 'certificat de coutume' (certificate of custom) is required.
This document is not issued directly by Russian ZAGS (registry offices). Options for obtaining it include: 1. Russian Consulate in Paris: Schedule an appointment, and it can be issued on the same day. 2. French Lawyer: A French lawyer can prepare this document. It's advisable to check with the specific French Mairie (city hall) if they accept a lawyer-issued document. 3. Notary (in Russia/CIS): Some notaries in Russia or CIS countries (e.g., Belarus) may issue a document based on a 'certificate of no marriage' from ZAGS, which then requires translation and potentially apostille. However, this is less direct than the consulate option.
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When registering a marriage in France and lacking a birth certificate from Russia, alternative documents may be considered by the Mairie.
Options include obtaining an informational certificate from the Russian consulate or having someone in Russia apostille the original birth certificate and send it. It is important to note that the birth certificate with an apostille is a crucial document for various administrative procedures in France, and obtaining it might require travel to Russia if direct consular issuance of alternative documents is not feasible or timely.
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A French citizen and a Russian citizen (from Moscow) plan to marry in Moscow.
The French citizen's visa is expiring before the planned registration date, prompting a question about expediting the process. Advice given is to: 1. Contact the Moscow registry office (ZAGS) and explain the urgency due to the expiring visa. 2. Ensure the French fiancé has obtained the necessary 'certificate of celibacy' or 'marriageability' (справка о брачной правоспособности). There's a mention that French authorities might prefer PACS (civil union) over marriage for their citizens, but the focus here is on formalizing marriage in Moscow.
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To obtain a 'certificat de célibat' (civil status certificate) for French administrative purposes, it is generally issued by the Mairie (town hall) of the French commune where one resides or last resided.
If you are a Russian citizen residing in France, you may also be able to obtain a similar document from the Russian consulate. However, the French Mairie is the primary authority for issuing this certificate within France.
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PACS in France does not grant automatic residency or citizenship.
It serves as supporting evidence for a 'vie privée et familiale' residence permit under article L 423-23 of the CESEDA. Immediate application after PACS is discouraged due to a high risk of refusal and OQTF (Obligation to Leave the French Territory).
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Registering a PACS through a notary in France involves administrative checks by the prefecture or SCEC.
The processing time can range from 4 weeks to several months, especially during summer months. Once registered, a Visa D 'visiteur' is typically required for non-EU partners to legally reside in France.
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Query: If a person obtains French citizenship through naturalization, can their parents obtain citizenship through family reunification? Answer: No.