Divorce in France for Americans: The Four Procedures, Costs, Time and Your Permit
A couple living in France can divorce there, even after a US wedding. Each spouse needs a lawyer, and mutual consent takes a 15-day wait and a notaire.
Lawyer in domestic and international family and estate law, Cabinet Astruc Baciotti, Paris, France
Avocate, Paris
Lawyer practising on her own in Paris, exclusively in domestic and international family and estate law. She advises French and international clients who prepare an expatriation, notably on the matrimonial side, and acts in divorce and separation proceedings, domestic or international.
Louise Astruc Baciotti practises on her own in Paris, exclusively in domestic and international family and estate law. She advises a French and international clientele who prepare an expatriation, notably on the matrimonial side, and in divorce proceedings, domestic or international, and separation proceedings. She also helps organise family life and settle the financial consequences of a break-up.
Before opening her own firm she worked for several years at a firm dedicated to family, personal and estate law. She works in French and in English, for French families living abroad, foreign families settling in France, and couples of French nationals who want to secure their family and property position. Trained in amicable dispute resolution, she favours mediation and reasoned negotiation, and represents her clients in court across France when it is needed.
She teaches regularly at the École de formation des Barreaux de Paris, speaks at conferences in France and abroad, writes in specialist family-law journals, and belongs to French and international associations (Institut du droit de la famille et du patrimoine, Association internationale des jeunes avocats, ACE), where she takes part in the work of their family-law and international private-client commissions.
Avocate practising in Paris, as stated on her firm's website (astrucbaciotti-avocat.com, read on 12 November 2026) and in the presentation she sent us.
Reviews French family and matrimonial law in guides on divorce, marriage and matrimonial regimes for couples with international ties. Does not review immigration, tax, criminal or company law.
A couple living in France can divorce there, even after a US wedding. Each spouse needs a lawyer, and mutual consent takes a 15-day wait and a notaire.
Americans can legally marry in France if one of you has a domicile or one month of residence in the commune. Only the ceremony at the mairie counts.
France recognizes your US same-sex marriage, but recognition is not a residence permit. What article 202-1 covers, who can transcribe, and what you file.
Louise Astruc Baciotti reviews selected articles for factual accuracy.
Louise Astruc Baciotti does not write our content and has no editorial control over our recommendations. A review confirms a guide is factually accurate in general; it is not financial, tax or legal advice for your situation. How our review process works.
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Guides for Americans in France on visa & legal status. Free, sourced, dated, and reviewed on these topics.