What is a marginal statement on a civil status document?
Verified 26 September 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
A marginal entry on a civil status record is an addition of information on a birth certificate, of marriage or of death.
It is used to indicate a subsequent event that changes the civil status of the person concerned, such as a marriage, divorce, recognition of a child, change of name or sex, or dissolution of a Civil partnerships: titleContent. These statements are important because they help keep up to date official civil status information
Marginal note is positioned on the side, in the margin, of the civil status document.
It indicates, among other things, the nature, the date and the event location (birth, marriage, death,...) which is mentioned.
It also includes the date on which the entry is made, the status ofregistrar who updated and signed it.
The following situations lead to the drafting of a marginal mention of the birth certificate and/or marriage certificate:
Situation | Act containing the entry | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
Recognition of a child | Birth certificate | Endorsement automatically entered by the Civil Registry |
Marriage | Birth certificate | Endorsement automatically entered by the Civil Registry |
Divorce, legal separation |
| Entered at the request of the lawyer or the person concerned by the civil registry office of the marriage commune. On presentation of a copy of the court decision or the certificate of deposit issued by the notary or the divorce agreement (or legal separation). |
Civil partnerships: conclusion, amendment, dissolution | Birth certificate | Endorsement automatically entered by the Civil Registry |
First name change and change of surname | Birth certificate | Endorsement automatically entered by the Civil Registry |
| Endorsement entered automatically by the Civil Registry. In the marriage certificate and the spouse's birth certificate, mention of the change of first name, not of the change of sex. | |
Death | Birth certificate | Endorsement automatically entered by the Civil Registry |
Birth certificate | Endorsement automatically entered by the Civil Registry | |
Decisions entered in the civil repertoire : change of marital status, guardianship, revocation of parental authority, revocation of French nationality, for example | Birth certificate | Act bearing a marginal mention CR and a number. To find out what it refers to, it is possible to request a copy of the extract kept in the civil register. |
If the act supplemented by the entry appears on a family record book, this booklet must also be updated.
FYI
A marginal entry may not be deleted. It can only be modified. Therefore, if a marginal note contains an error, you have the right to ask for correction.
You have the right to request a full copy of your civil status certificate (birth, marriage or death certificate) where the marginal entries will be recorded.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
If the birth or marriage took place in France
Town HallIf the birth or marriage took place abroad
Central Civil Registry Service (Scec)
Attention: the Central Civil Registry Service does not welcome any public.
Civil status (birth, marriage or death) of a Frenchman abroad
Only by mail to:
Central Civil Registry Service
11 White House Street
44941 Nantes Cedex 09
You can apply for a civil status certificate through a online service.
For more information, you can:
- Go to diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Call the+33 1 41 86 42 47 Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 4 pm
Free access to video interpretation or instant speech transcription for the deaf or hard of hearing - Email courrier.scec@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Acquisition or loss of French nationality
Change of first and last name
Child recognition
Gender change
Marriage
Civil partnerships
Civil Directory
Persons initiating the request for a marginal note
FAQ
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