Marriage between two foreign persons or between French national and a foreign person, must follow and respect the form and conditions provided for in the legislation for public order: legal age limit, freedom from previous marital engagement, marriage arranged by parents within legal limits, mourning period for women. In order to verify if the projected marriage is not contrary to public order, the municipal authority has the right to demand a customary certificate from the foreign authorities (ministry of consulate) if the couple does not exercise the right of their own national law.

Article 74 of Civil Code provides that "the marriage will be conducted in the commune where one of the future spouses has an address or has established residency for a month of continued habitation from the date of publication provided by law."

The publication of marriage bans will be done during 10 days at the entrance of the Town House. In case one of the future spouses has neither address nor residence in France, the publication must be done in the place of his/her residence and must be verified by a certificate of publication.

Verifying documents to be presented for the marriage include:

• 1 birth certificate for each of the future spouses (issued within the last 3 months)
• 1 pre-marriage medical certificate for each of the future spouses (issued within the last 2 months)
• 1 certificate of residency (1 month of residency at least)
• birth certificate of children to be legitimized
• 1 copy of the notarized marriage contract. It is requested from foreign born persons
• 1 customary certificate
• 1 certificate of celibacy
• 1 birth certificate translated into French
• 1 certificate of residency (with 1 month residency in the commune selected for the marriage)
• a publication of marriage bans will be posted for 10 days in the commune where the marriage will take place and in the last place of residence of the future spouse not residing in French Polynesia.

The Secret's Out:

Best Places To Kiss Your Sweetie In Tahiti:
Tahiti is known as the island of love, and all of French Polynesia is worshipped by honeymooners for its beautiful scenery, dreamy sunsets and relaxed island atmosphere that makes everyone feel flirtatious. Well, now, local "experts" are revealing the ten best spots to "Kiss Your Sweetie in Tahiti."

1. Belvedere Lookout on Moorea - high above the heart-shaped island with a spectacular view of the twin bays, Cook's Bay and Oponohu Bay.

2. Deep inside the colorful limestone grotto on Rurutu, a remote island about 355 miles southwest of Tahiti. Kiss under the majestic stalactites in the cool underground cave.

3. Most of French Polynesia is uncrowded, but to really get away, boat out to a secluded motu (coral islet) for a kiss that you'll remember forever.

4. In the heart of the island of Tahiti, a steep road takes you 4,500 feet to Mt. Marau, where lush mountain peaks and cascading waterfalls set the scene for romance.

5. Any spot along the narrow isthmus that connects Huahine Nui (big) and Huahine Iti (little) affords unbelievably romantic views of the Maroc and Bourayne Bays.

6. Given the ambiance of Bora Bora, no one could agree on just one spot…so suffice it to say, a great kiss can be had anywhere near the warm turquoise lagoon of Bora Bora.

7. Travel deep into the hills of Tahaa, the vanilla island, for a romantic moment with panoramic views of the turquoise bays and be enveloped with the rich, puissant aroma of vanilla.

8. You must try an underwater kiss - in the warm, aqua lagoon of Rangiroa, where only the multitude of multicolored fish can see you.

9. On the pink and white sand beaches of Manihi, just a few feet away from the black pearl farm (French Polynesia is the only place in the world where the cherished black pearls grow).

10. The enclosed lagoon of Tikehau is a haven of seclusion - and beauty. Thousands of sea birds and fantastic colorful fish provide the backdrop for a perfect kiss amid the effervescence of tropical life.

There's never been a better time to plan a romantic trip to Tahiti and the 118 islands that make up French Polynesia. Air fares are a bargain, the dollar is stronger and tour operators are offering terrific packages at unbelievable prices. Once you're in Tahiti, enjoy the warm turquoise lagoons, secluded white sand beaches, fun outdoor activities and true Polynesian hospitality.

The test begins by imagining your honeymoon…as the airline approaches your honeymoon destination. Look out the window. Are you looking at lots of buildings, cement, traffic, and possibly a brown smoggy haze? Or do you see lush, volcanic peaks with hardly any signs of population, surrounded by a lagoon that is the most incredible color turquoise that you have to rub your eyes in disbelief and look again?

When the plane lands, do you get jostled through a big air line terminal and wait forever to get through customs and claim your luggage? Or are you greeted by a charming Tahitian who places a fragrant tiare flower behind your ear, as traditional musicians play the soothing island tunes and costumed dancers mesmerize you?

At your hotel, after waiting at the check-in desk and tipping the bellman, do you take an elevator up to your beige, box-like room that looks like every other hotel room you've ever been in, right down to the bad art on the walls? Or do you enter a thatched-roof bungalow, filled with fresh tropical flowers that is situated right over the crystal clear lagoon?

Your first night together as a married couple, do you hear the hotel's elevator whining and ice machine clanking while you struggle to keep the air conditioning from freezing you to death? Or do you listen to the gentle lapping of the water as your room is cooled by balmy Pacific breezes?

Is breakfast the next morning a long wait for room service with cold eggs and hard toast? Or is your feast of exotic fruit, crusty French bread and Tahitian delicacies delivered to your over-water bungalow by outrigger canoe?

Are you losing valuable vacation time in your tacky rental car getting lost and arguing over whether or not to stop and ask directions? Or are you leisurely pedaling a bicycle around the 18-mile perimeter of Bora Bora, enjoying spectacular views of the azure lagoon as you explore charming villages? (Note: even if you rent a car in Tahiti, most of the islands have only one road, so it's pretty hard to get lost!)

Do you find that every time you turn around you are tipping someone - the taxi drivers, the doormen, the bellmen, the waiters, the tour guides? Or do you give merely your Tahitian hosts a warm smile…the only tip they ever want or expect?

Let's look at the activity options. Are you faced with a bus tour, crowded beaches, shopping malls that look just like the one you left at home, and golf courses that could lure your husband away? Or are you having a romantic picnic on a secluded motu (islet) all your own, and snorkeling in a warm lagoon that is brilliant with colorful fish?

Do you get kind of bored during the day? Or are you happily trying to decide among hiking into the lush island interiors, discovering waterfalls, grottos and fantastic views…or enjoying the watersports like sailing, jet skiing, snorkeling, diving and strolling on the white sand beaches…or learning about the ancient Polynesians by exploring marae temples, meeting native Tahitians and appreciating the traditional activities such as outrigger canoeing and tamure dancing?

Of course every bride wants her honeymoon to be truly special. So don't settle for one that is ordinary, Come to extraordinary French Polynesia where the people are as beautiful as the islands themselves. You will become a part of that beauty and begin your life together with a radiant bliss that just seems unstoppable when you're in Tahiti.

As you envision what your honeymoon can be, do you dare to dream beyond the ordinary? Come to Tahiti for a perfect honeymoon.