The Pact Civile de Solidarité

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The Pact Civile de Solidarité

The Pact Civile de Solidarité is a legal alternative to marriage in France, also recognized for Same-Sex Couples

Pacte Civile de Solidarité (PaCS)

French law does not accept same sex marriage, however the National Assembly passed a gay-inclusive domestic-partnership law in October 1999, which affords some of the legal benefits of traditional marriage: the Pact Civil de Solidarité (PaCS).

The articles of this law allows the PaCS partners to have claims to:

• Inheritance, tax relief, housing rights and social security.
• Partners are liable for each other's debts and contracts.
• Partners do not receive adoption, lineage, or custody rights.
• Certain financial allowances (tax and social security benefits) take effect three years after registration.

Foreigners

French nationality is not required by both parties signing a pact but a foreigner must be legally resident in France.

PaCS does not confer citizenship or residency on a foreign partner. However, after three years of common life, a PACS agreement is considered as valid evidence of a personal relationship when applying for residency in France.

Registration is made through a common declaration at the local court in the area of residence:

To qualify for a PaCS, partners must share the same address and provide:

• Two completed copies of a PaCS contract.
• Valid ID, passport or a carte de séjour.
• Birth certificates (extrait d'acte de naissance) translated into French.
• A sworn statement that a PaCS can be legally entered into.

Cessation of the agreement is made:

• By the court at the common statement of the partners
• By the death or the marriage of one of the partners
• At the request of one of the partners (after a three month delay).

Further information:

• Tax implications: Notaires de France
• French Justice Department Web site
• France Queer Resources Directory
• The International Lesbian and Gay Association
• An article of interest

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