From USA. Got married on the Island, July 8th. Question about Visa.

so we did everything we were directed to do. prepared everything before i left the states. married at the town hall / mayor's office in saint-paul, on july 8th, and we were told that my 3 month stay could be extended to 6 months rather easily, without marrying (though, we planned to, all along) and once married, we could go to the prefecture and apply for a 3 year visa. once at prefecture's office, we spoke with a young woman, and after she returned to the back office 3 times, she insisted i'm considered "irregular", can't work, and will have to return to the states by the end of August to get a proper visa? initially she said i needed a certificate of state, but after further conversation, she said i did not. i don't know what that means, to begin with. anyway... has anyone known someone in a similar situation to ours? my wife is a school teacher, here, and has resided on Reunion Island (originally from Brittany, France) for 23 years. all paperwork was filed and translated, properly, prior to our marriage. or any suggestions? thanks, in advance!