Policy
Gérald Darmanin wants to strengthen the fight against fraudulent marriages in France. Anthony left/jdd/sipa
In French town halls, distrust will have to redouble in the face of so -called “white” weddings. These unions, contracted only in order to obtain Despapiersdarma, are in the sights of the government. The Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, decided to make it ” government priority ». The Keeper of the Seals asks prosecutors to apply ” Special vigilance And to support civil status officers. “” The prosecution must be in support of civil status officers, in a reinforced and confidence dialogue with mayors and their services “, He writes in a circular published on August 18, relayed by CNews.
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Reinforced control of weddings
Concretely, according to the indications of the Minister of Justice, civil status officers will have to examine closely “ The reality of matrimonial intention »Spouses. For this, they will rely on several elements such as the “ Wedding file, the elements collected during the common hearing of the future spouses and any other outdoor external element received ». If in doubt, future spouses may be interviewed separately. And if “ serious clues suggest the lack of matrimonial intention “, The civil status officer will have the obligation to seize the public prosecutor. The minister goes even further, in the event of suspicion, a postponement of the ceremony will now be privileged, in particular if one of the spouses is in an irregular situation.
A worrying increase
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Few weddings are affected by fraud on the 247,000 unions celebrated each year in France. But their number tends to increase: 272 cases in 2017, a peak of 553 in 2019, then 406 in 2022, reports the JDD. As a reminder, the sanctions provided for by law are heavy in the event of proven fraudulent marriages, up to five years in prison and 15,000 euros fine.
