This article is about the Certificate de Coutume for PACS application experience at VFS Paris and shared by “Mohona”. The article has been published with her permission, along with a few important additional information.
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What is a Certificat de coutume?
A Certificat de coutume is a document issued by the Indian Embassy In Paris for multiple purposes such as,
- Getting married in France
- Getting PACSed in France
- Giving Last Name to a newborn baby in France
The applications can be submitted at VFS Global offices in Paris and Marseille
You can find all the official details at Indian Consular Services – VFS Global
Application Summary
The main purpose of the application was to get PACSed with a French partner.
If you plan on getting PACSed, please contact your local mairie. They will give you a list of documents to follow the process. One of the documents requested by them for a foreigner is the Certificat de Coutume. It certifies that the person is single or that the previous union has been dissolved by death or divorce.
If you go to the VFS website, you can select the option certificat de coutume for marriage purposes even if it is not marriage. It will be accepted for PACS too.
So, here is a summary of the process followed by her.
- Application Mode: Offline via appointment.
- Application Location: VFS Global India, Paris [16 Bd du Général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy], +33 01 76 27 86 85, Email – infoindefrance@vfshelpline.com
- Application sent: 10/01/2024
- Fees paid: ~ 57.96 € [Service charge = 6,96 € + Selection of the delivery and sms-email service = 30 € + 2 € + ICWF Tax = 2 € + Birth Certificate = 17 €]
- Document received by Post: 15/01/2024.
| Processing duration for Indian Consular Service Applications (except Police Clearance Certificate) | |
|---|---|
| VFS Office | Duration |
| Paris | Minimum 5 working days but may take longer |
| Marseille | Minimum 7 working days but may take longer |
List of Documents submitted to VFS Paris
Here are the various documents submitted by her during the VFS appointment. It says on the checklist that you must come with your future spouse, but it is not mandatory. You can go alone too.
- Self-attested Passport copy of the applicant (me)
- Self-attested Passport copy of future partner
- Titre de sejour copy of the applicant (me)
- Titre de sejour copy of partner (not required in my case as the partner is of french nationality)
- Miscellaneous Service application form duly signed
- Photocopies of documentary proof of resident status: electricity, gas or landline telephone bills/internet ( provided with electricity bill preferably a bill which has name of you and your partner; house contract not accepted)
- Original valid passport and titre de séjour
- Two photographs as Indian government norms.
- Declaration Form duly signed.
You can also refer to the official checklist “Certificat de coutume” for the purpose of marriage checklist
Certificat du coutume from Embassy of India
