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An American citizen contemplating marriage in France would be well advised to first consult the web site of the Office of American Services of the United States Embassy in Paris: 

http://france.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/paris-marriage.pdf

As indicated at that web site, there is a long list of documents that must be obtained in order to be married in France. Each local French city hall has its own check list and such list needs to be reviewed with care. If in doubt as to the adequacy of a particular document, it is advisable to informally show it to the local official and thereby have sufficient time to obtain a more satisfactory document.

Certificat de coutume

A certificat de coutume is what Americans call a "legal opinion". For the purpose of using such a document before a French administrative body in connection with a to-be-celebrated French-American marriage, it should be prepared by an attorney admitted to the practice of the law in France and in the United States. Naturally, the opinion must be in French.

As stated at that the bottom of page 2 of web site of the United States Embassy (see link above), the Office of Consular Affairs of the Embassy can provide the American fiancé(e) with  an affidavit of marital status ("Certificat de célibat ou de non-remariage"). If the local city hall accepts such document, there should be no need to retain the services of an attorney. 

However, if the Certificat de célibat ou de non-remariage is not accepted, a legal opinion by an attorney admitted to the practice of the law at least in the united States  will be necessary.

Documents Required

When attorney Polier delivers to his client a "Certificat de coutume et de célibat" (a legal opinion), he will normally require the following:

• Current address and telephone number of the American fiancé(e) 
• A good (enlarged) photocopy of the signature and identity photo pages of the passport of the American financé(e) 
• A copy of each divorce decree (if any) of the American fiancé(e) 
• The name, address and telephone of the attorneys who handled the divorce(s), unless there was no counsel. 

Normally, a Certificat de coutume et de célibat can be issued within 48 hours after the documents are provided and the American fiancé(e) signs a short attestation prepared by the attorney Polier

Marriage contracts (the pre-nuptial agreement)

[Text under preparation]