Eveything You’ve Been Googling – Answered
Bridge to France is a guidance resource for Filipinas navigating the process of marrying a French citizen and moving to France. We share real, experience-based information on the CCAM, transcription, spouse visa, and life in France – from someone who's living it herself.
What is Bridge to France?
Are you a visa agent or immigration lawyer?
No, and we're transparent about that. Bridge to France provides guidance based on personal experience, not legal advice. We help you understand the process, prepare your documents, and navigate the journey. For legal matters, we always recommend consulting the French Embassy or a licensed professional.
Primarily Filipinas marrying French citizens, but anyone navigating the French spouse visa process is welcome. Our guides and consultations are written from a Philippine documentation perspective, so some details may vary for other nationalities.
Who is this for?
FAQs: The CCAM
The Certificat de Capacité à Mariage is a document your French partner must obtain from the French Embassy of the country where you plan to marry. It proves they are legally free to marry.
What is the CCAM?
Who applies for the CCAM – me or my French partner?
Your French partner applies for it at the French Embassy of the country where you plan to marry. In the case of Filipinas marrying in the Philippines, that's the French Embassy in Manila. You don't apply separately, but both of you need to provide documents.
Do I need the CCAM if we're getting married in France?
No, the CCAM is specifically for couples marrying outside of France where one partner is a French citizen. If you're marrying in France, you'll need different documents from your own embassy.
It varies, but typically several weeks to a few months. We cover realistic timelines in our CCAM Guide.
How long does the CCAM take?
Do I need to apostille my PSA birth certificate for the CCAM?
Yes – an apostilled PSA birth certificate is required, alongside an apostilled CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record). Both must be apostilled before submission to the French Embassy in Manila.
FAQs: Marriage Transcription
What is the middle name suppression notice?
Filipino documents include a middle name, which French administrative systems don't recognize. To resolve this, the French Embassy in Manila provides a middle name suppression notice: a form that allows you to officially remove your middle name from French documentation.
You can download the form directly from the French Embassy in Manila's official website.
Download the Middle Name Suppression Notice
The transcription is the process of registering your Philippine marriage in the French civil registry, essentially making your marriage officially recognized in France. It's done after your wedding, not before.
What is the transcription?
How long does the transcription take?
This is one of the most asked questions, and honestly, one of the most variable. It can take anywhere from 3-6 months. We document our own timeline as we go through it.
Does my marriage certificate need to be translated into French?
It depends on the language of your marriage certificate.
If it's in English, no translation is needed. If it's in Tagalog or any other language other than English or French, you will need a certified French translation. For non-Filipino nationals, check whether your country's marriage certificate is issued in English or French – if neither, a certified translation will be required.
FAQs: The Spouse Visa
The French spouse visa, officially called the Visa de Vie Privée et Familiale, is a long-stay visa that allows you to move to France and live with your French spouse. It is applied for at the French Embassy in Manila after your marriage has been registered through the transcription process.
What is the French spouse visa?
Can I apply for the Visa de Vie Privée et Familiale before the transcription is complete?
No – the Livret de Famille is a prerequisite for the spouse visa application. You cannot apply without it. This is why starting the transcription process as early as possible after your wedding is so important – the Livret de Famille must be issued before you can move forward with the visa.
Do I need an agency to apply for the spouse visa?
No, you can apply yourself, and many couples do. Bridge to France exists to help you understand the process, prepare with confidence, and know exactly what to expect at every stage. From document checklists to consultation calls, we're here to make sure you're not figuring it out alone.
FAQs: Working with Bridge to France
What's included in the CCAM Guide?
A complete breakdown of what the CCAM is, who applies, the full document checklist, timeline, common mistakes, and next steps. Full details on the product page.
What's included in a CCAM Consultation Call?
A private 30-minute video call where you can ask anything about your specific CCAM situation and get honest, experience-based answers.
What if my question isn't covered in the guide?
Book a consultation call – that's exactly what it's for. We can go through your specific situation, answer your questions, and review your dossier together so you feel confident before submitting anything to the embassy.
Due to the digital nature of our products and the time dedicated to consultation calls, all sales are final and non-refundable. If you have any concerns about your purchase, please reach out to us at bonjour@bridgetofrance.com and we'll do our best to help.