Can a city council refuse to issue an administrative document?

Verified 10 May 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

The mayor must only hand over documents that are required by law to be issued.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Birth certificate

The city hall can't refuse to deliver your birth certificate.

The city hall must also update family book if you ask him.

In case of difficulties, you can enter the prosecutor, then the judge.

Marriage certificate

The city hall can't refuse to deliver your marriage certificate.

The city hall must also update family book if you ask him.

In case of difficulties, you can enter the prosecutor, then the judge.

Death certificate

The city hall can't refuse to deliver you the death certificate which you have requested.

However, for reasons of security, the issue of the death certificate may be restricted to the persons listed in the certificate (parents, Civil partnerships, partners, persons who have declared death).

The city hall must also update family book if you ask him.

In case of difficulties, you can enter the prosecutor, then the judge.

Identity card

The City Hall cannot refuse to register your request for identity card if it is equipped with a registration station for taking a print.

The city hall registers the request and sends it to the prefectural services.

The City Hall is not competent to accept or refuse an application for an identity card.

In case of difficulties, you can enter the prefect.

Certificate of Good Life and Morals

The city hall can refuse to issue you a certificate of good life and morals.

Indeed, the law does not require these documents.

No administration can therefore require them.

Certificates relating to marital status

The City Hall can refuse to issue you a certificate related to marital status:

  • Certificate of celibacy
  • Certificate of cohabitation
  • Certificate of non-separation of bodies
  • Certificate of non-divorce
  • Certificate of non-remarriage

Indeed, the law does not require these documents.

No administration can therefore require them.

FYI  

a birth certificate can be used to prove that you are not married. Indeed, in the case of marriage, this is mentioned on the birth certificate.

Special certificate of indigence

The city hall can refuse to issue you a special certificate of destitution.

Indeed, the law does not require these documents.

No administration can therefore require them.

Certificate of domicile

The city hall can refuse to issue you a residence certificate.

Indeed, the law does not require these documents.

No administration can therefore require them.

Certified true copy of a document intended for a French administration

The city hall can refuse to issue you a certified copy a document intended for a French administration.

A copy of a French document intended for a French administration does not need to be certified as true.

Certified true copy of a document intended for a foreign administration

Issuance of a certified copy of a document intended for a foreign administration cannot be refused.

You can contact a city hall, a prefecture or a notary.

Specify that the certified copy is intended to be produced abroad.

Who shall I contact

Individual and family civil status records

Those documents no longer exist. They are no longer delivered.

Individual nationality cards

Those documents no longer exist. They are no longer delivered.

Family booklet in case of marriage, birth of the first child

The City Hall cannot refuse to issue you your family booklet in case of marriage or birth of the first child.

The city hall must also update family book if you ask him.

In case of difficulties, you can enter the prosecutor, then the judge.

Passport

The City Hall cannot refuse to register your request for passport if it is equipped with a recording station for taking a print.

The city hall registers the request and sends it to the prefectural services.

The City Hall is not competent to accept or refuse a passport application.

In case of difficulties, you can enter the prefect.

Second family record book in case of separation

The city hall can't refuse to deliver you a 2nd family record book in case of separation

The city hall must also update family book if you ask him.

In case of difficulties, you can enter the prosecutor, then the judge.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region