The Documents You Must Have When Moving to France

Why Document Preparation Matters So Much

French administrative bodies have strict requirements about document format, certification, and translation. A document that would be perfectly acceptable in your home country may be refused in France because:

• It’s not accompanied by a certified French translation
• It lacks an apostille (international authenticity certification)
• It’s more than 3 months old (for proof of address documents)
• It’s a copy when an original is required, or an original when a certified copy would suffice

The more complete your dossier from the start, the fewer return visits, delays, and headaches you’ll face at the préfecture, the CPAM, or the bank. For a full picture of the mistakes that derail applications, see mistakes that can delay your application.

Part 1: Identity Documents

Passport

Your passport is your primary identity document throughout the immigration process. Key requirements:

• Must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay plus a margin (some banks and préfectures want 6 months of validity beyond your permit end date)
• Photocopy all pages — not just the photo page and visa page. Include blank pages, entry/exit stamps, and the cover.
• Keep a certified copy in a separate location from the original at all times

National identity card (EU citizens)

EU citizens can use their national ID card instead of a passport for most French administrative procedures. It must be valid.

Visa or current titre de séjour

Always carry a copy of your current visa or residence permit. The original should be kept safe; the copy is what you hand over to agents.

Part 2: Civil Status Documents

Civil status documents establish your legal identity beyond your passport. They are required for residence permits, CPAM registration, school enrollment, marriage in France, and more.

Birth certificate (acte de naissance)

The most requested civil status document. You will need:

• An official copy from the relevant authority in your country of birth (the equivalent of a town hall or civil registry)
• An apostille — if your country of birth is a signatory to the Hague Convention. This is a government stamp authenticating the document for international use. Request it from the same authority that issued the birth certificate.
• A certified French translation (traduction assermentée) by a sworn translator approved by a French court of appeal. This is mandatory for any non-French document.

Bring at least two original certified copies of your birth certificate from abroad — some institutions retain the copy you submit.

Marriage certificate (acte de mariage)

Required if you are applying for a vie privée et familiale permit, or if your spouse’s name appears on any documents. Same requirements as the birth certificate: official copy + apostille + certified French translation.

Divorce decree (if applicable)

Required if you are divorced and your marital status is relevant to your permit category.

Part 3: Proof of Address

The justificatif de domicile is required for nearly everything in France. Rules are strict:

• Must be less than 3 months old on the date of submission
• Must show your name and current address
• Accepted documents: electricity bill, gas bill, internet bill, water bill, phone bill, bank statement
• A rental contract (bail) is accepted but usually needs to be accompanied by a recent utility bill

If you live with someone and no bills are in your name yet:

• Ask your host for a signed attestation d’hébergement (declaration that they are hosting you)
• Attach a copy of their national ID
• Attach their own justificatif de domicile

Part 4: Financial and Employment Documents

Work contract (contrat de travail)

Required for employee residence permits (salarié, travailleur temporaire). Must show: your name, employer details, position, start date, salary, and duration. If the contract is in a language other than French, a certified translation is needed.

Pay slips (bulletins de salaire)

Submit the 3 most recent pay slips. For new arrivals who don’t yet have them, a signed job offer letter or promise of employment (promesse d’embauche) can sometimes substitute.

Bank statements (relevés de compte)

3 months of bank statements showing your financial situation. Required for most permit applications and for opening new accounts. If your account is abroad, statements must clearly show your name, account number, and address.

Tax returns (avis d’imposition)

For renewals and some first-time applications, your most recent tax return (avis d’imposition) is required. In France, this is obtained from impots.gouv.fr.

RIB (Relevé d’Identité Bancaire)

Once you have a French bank account, your RIB is required for CPAM registration, employer payroll, and any direct debit setup. Get one as early as possible — see opening a bank account in France.

Part 5: Education and Professional Qualifications

• Diplomas and degree certificates (with apostille and certified French translation) — required for the passeport talent permit and certain employer applications
• Professional licenses or certifications (translated and apostilled) — for regulated professions (medicine, law, architecture)
• University enrollment certificate (certificat de scolarité) — for student permits

Part 6: Document Format Requirements

Key Vocabulary for Document Administration

• Acte de naissance — birth certificate
• Apostille — international certification of document authenticity
• Traduction assermentée — certified translation by a sworn translator
• Justificatif de domicile — proof of address
• Attestation d’hébergement — declaration of hosting
• Pièces justificatives — supporting documents
• Dossier — file / set of documents
• Copie certifiée conforme — certified true copy