Franco-Togolese marriage (page 7 of 9)

the logical solution would be to request a visa to introduce their country before going through marriage procedures... that just makes sense to me.

well, no...

really?! so why offer a service I found exceptional when I tested it last time, like CAPAGO on Rue des Femmes Savantes in Lomé, which supposedly advises you in the best way possible, only to hand you back, alone, without any visitors behind a 50x40 cm window, with a security guard who looks miserable (or is it just acting?), a sterile passport, and then escorts you to the exit in the elevator? Why not say from the start that the visa application has no chance of success anyway and that it's a waste of time to apply, even with a complete file and lawyer's documents to back it up? of course... no more money coming in for them... and you're telling me about marriage... without giving the person from another culture the chance to appreciate—or not—your own country where you're welcoming them? not to mention the wasted time, money spent for nothing, and the total disappointment and consternation that follows... the consulate itself stays clear of unfavorable outcomes and the distress this causes for sincere people, and here I am, a French citizen dependent on the consulate—or at least the French Embassy in Togo—wasting my energy and money for nothing to prove my good faith and that of my partner? What do you think about that? and the rejections and the "no-shows" for appointments that feel like a scam to me, a French person who made the trip specifically for this? what world are we living in? during the slavery era, "visas were certainly easier to obtain in the 17th century"—but what do we do now? maybe cut off an arm and leave it in the consulate's freezer to pick up on the person's return, or give it to the dogs if they don’t come back...

and this is the service offered:

To address the increase in visa applications, reduce waiting times, and improve public reception, visa application files will now be collected at the Capago Togo center. This center will provide a dedicated and adapted space for receiving the public and will improve the reception of individuals wishing to travel to France or to a country represented in Togo by France. Appointment waiting times will be reduced.

This simplification of visa application collection reflects the President of the Republic's desire to facilitate regular mobility.

What are the benefits for users? This new procedure aims to improve the service for users in several ways:

- Speed: appointment waiting times will be minimized; - Reception: 16 agents will be available to users from Monday to Friday, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM; - File tracking: Capago Togo will keep users informed at every stage of their file's progress via SMS or email; - Comfort: users will be welcomed in a large 550 m² space, of which 380 m² will be exclusively dedicated to file collection. Comfortably arranged, the center will guarantee the reception of at least 60 applicants daily. - Premium Service: a new feature is also offered, with the possibility for users to opt for a Premium service, where comfort, advantages, and attention will be enhanced. Users can thus enjoy pastries, hot drinks, fresh fruit juices, Wi-Fi access, and personalized reception in a dedicated space.

The Capago Togo Center The Capago Togo center is located in the P. Thérèse building, at the intersection of Boulevard du 13 Janvier and Rue des Femmes Savantes in Lomé.

- The basic service fee amounts to 18,500 CFA francs - For the Premium service, an additional 25,000 CFA francs will be required

The Capago Togo center, a private service provider, is mandated by the French Embassy. Its role is limited to receiving, verifying the completeness of files, and collecting alphanumeric and biometric data. However, visa applications remain processed by the consular service of the French Embassy, the only authority entitled to make decisions regarding visas, in accordance with current regulations.

even a Premium service... great!! just like on some airlines...

When passports were returned, there were 5 applications, and all 5 were systematically refused with the box checked "no proof of return to the territory provided"... there you go. and how many others like this??? I'm disillusioned with this system that feels like a mirage...

Hi, I’d also like to get married in Togo in November, but with everything I’m reading and all the paperwork required, I’m a bit lost and don’t know where to start... Could you shed some light on this, please?

Hi everyone, Actually, every case is different, but there’s always at least one super long document to get For my part, I applied for the CCAM at the end of December and got it in mid-April (so three and a half months). We were starting to stress, but we managed to get married in May. The transcription request was sent at the end of May, but more than three months later, we still haven’t heard anything... and then there’s the visa to deal with. I’m starting to worry we won’t be able to spend the end-of-year holidays together. It’s crazy how much of an obstacle course we have to go through just to live together...

Good luck to everyone!

Hello, I’d also like to get married in Togo in November, but with everything I’m reading and all the paperwork required, I’m a bit lost and don’t know where to start... Could you shed some light on this, please?

Make sure to carefully check the list of required documents, keeping in mind that each paper can take more or less time to obtain. Don’t forget anything they’re asking for—I think they’re just waiting for that. On my end, I’m still waiting for some documents that haven’t arrived yet, and on top of that, it’s vacation season... so that’s all I’ve got for now.......

Thanks so much for the reply! So, for the CCM, they’re asking for documents from my future spouse. Maybe it’s better to handle it on-site (in Togo) at the embassy, after I’ve gathered all my own documents first? I’ll be there from October through the end of February...

it's the town hall that issues the papers to your wife, not the embassy

Yeah, I got it, but once I have all the papers on my side, and my spouse has hers too, can I just drop off the CCM file directly at the embassy? Since I’ll be there in person... or do I *have* to mail it?

Some people say you can drop off documents at the consulate in Lomé, others mention the diplomatic pouch—I’m not sure. As for me, I’m eagerly waiting for the CNF, the French nationality certificate, which I’d never heard of before, even though I have all my papers and birth certificate?? It’s taking a long time to start the document-sending process, and no one could tell me if the absence of this document is important or not. But I want to provide it because I’m afraid of my file being rejected for being incomplete. That’s all!

Hey there, did you provide the CNF when you applied? Thanks

Hi! For my part, I didn’t provide the French nationality certificate for the CCAM file. I only provided it afterward so my spouse could apply for the long-stay visa. The application went through just fine! Have a great day!

thanks for your reply, so we’ll need it anyway?

Yes, you'll need it for the visa application!

okay even if I don’t really get the point of this paperwork that’s so hard and long to get...

Yes... I got it in 3 months in the Paris region! They asked me for my parents' birth certificates and also my grandparents'!... Along with a marriage certificate... even though I've been French for several generations... Once I had all these documents, I was able to submit the file. And this certificate helped my husband get his visa (it was required and highly recommended). So much paperwork...

He’s asking me for my father’s death certificate, a photo, a full copy of my birth certificate less than three months old, a photocopy of my passport and ID card, proof of address, and to send it all by registered mail since I don’t live in mainland France. And now I’m waiting for my birth certificates, which still haven’t arrived...

Hi, Kchoupapy, is it possible to call you for more information? In private, of course...

Hi, we can communicate by email if you'd like. I don't want to give out my personal number! Best regards

Hello, I’ve just gone through all these steps and am now at the marriage transcription stage. If I can help by answering any questions about this process, don’t hesitate to ask. Best regards, Benoît

Hello, I’ve just gone through all these steps, and I’m now at the marriage transcription stage. If I can help by answering your questions about this process, don’t hesitate. Best regards, Benoît

Good evening, So happy for you! Could you tell me how long the transcription will take? I’m at the marriage stage—it’s in two months.

Hello, what does "via la valise diplomatique" mean? I went to the post office, but no one could answer me. Is it a special service? Indeed, on the shipping paper, I’m given an address and asked to send it by recorded delivery via la valise diplomatique. Could you clarify this for me? Thanks

Hello everyone,

Sorry for disappearing from the discussion for so long! I married my Togolese fiancé on August 13, 2015, and we’ve been parents since October 10, 2016. For those who have questions, I’d be happy to answer!

I can already tell you that the French consulate in Lomé doesn’t perform marriages! You have to go through the local authorities (only the town hall, not the prefecture) after obtaining a Certificate of Capacity to Marry from the consulate for the French national. This procedure, almost mandatory if you later want to register your marriage in the consular civil registry, takes between 3 and 6 months if your file is complete. Additionally, the consulate doesn’t receive any Togolese who aren’t married to a French national outside of visa applications (tourist visas are systematically refused, by the way!). Moreover, I strongly advise requesting this famous Certificate of Capacity to Marry (CCM) from France via la valise diplomatique (this is very well explained on the consulate’s website, under "services for French citizens" – "marriage"). Indeed, when files are submitted directly at the consulate (even by the French national), they mysteriously disappear without a trace... (this is from personal experience, I’m not just gossiping).

There you go, if I can help, I’d be happy to!