Enforcement and Recognition of Foreign Divorce and Family Orders in France

As an English-speaking family lawyer based in Paris, we help expats and international couples navigate the French divorce system with clarity and confidence. Whether your case is amicable or contested, we provide clear legal guidance adapted to your cross-border situation.

Enforcing a Divorce or Family Order in France

France recognizes and enforces international divorce and family law judgments issued in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions. To make a foreign ruling enforceable in France, a specific court order called exequatur is required.

The exequatur order ensures that the foreign judgment is valid under French law. This includes verifying:

That the foreign court had proper jurisdiction
That due process was respected
That the judgment complies with French public policy

This recognition process is mandatory before a foreign divorce decree, custody ruling, or spousal support order can be legally enforced in France. Without exequatur, these judgments cannot be legally executed — even if they are valid in their country of origin.

France recognizes and enforces international divorce and family rulings handed down in foreign countries like the US and the UK.

➡️ Note: Exequatur is always required when enforcement involves a bailiff.

Registering a Divorce or Family Order in France

Some foreign divorce or family orders do not require enforcement through a bailiff.

Instead, they must be registered (transcribed) into the French civil registry (état civil).

When a foreign divorce judgment or family order needs to be transcribed, it must first be validated by the French Public Prosecutor (Procureur de la République). The transcription request must include:

A copy of the divorce or family judgment
Proof that the judgment is final
Birth and marriage certificates
In certain cases, a legal opinion from a lawyer licensed in the country where the judgment was issued

Once the Public Prosecutor confirms that the judgment meets French recognition standards, the order can be officially transcribed. This step is essential to ensure the effects of the foreign judgment are recognized in France.

➡️ Note: Transcription is required for administrative recognition, not for forcible enforcement.

International Alimony and Child Support Recovery in France

Recovering unpaid child support or alimony from an ex-spouse abroad can be complicated by differing legal systems and jurisdictional barriers.

France is a party to the Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.

This international treaty allows for cooperation between countries in:

Recognizing foreign support obligations
Facilitating the collection of payments
Ensuring enforcement across borders

France has designated a Central Authority to assist with the enforcement of foreign alimony and child support orders — especially from non-EU countries like the US or UK.

Enforcement on Assets in France

If an ex-spouse or co-parent fails to comply with a family law judgment voluntarily, French law provides several options for enforcement on assets located in France — but only after the judgment has been recognized through the exequatur procedure.

Enforcement measures available include:

Seizure of bank accounts in France (with identification of accounts via a bailiff)
Seizure and public auction of real estate located in France
Attachment of movable assets, such as vehicles, furniture, or valuables

These measures ensure compliance with foreign financial judgments in France — but only once those judgments have been legally recognized under French law.