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How to correct a civil status record (error, forgetfulness, typo, double indent)?
Verified 20 October 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Birth, recognition, marriage or death certificate
Name on the birth certificate (also called birth name or surname)
Magistrate at the head of the public prosecutor's office (or public prosecutor's office). It is the recipient of complaints and reports. It conducts investigations, prosecutions and enforces the law.
Person (in France, in the town hall or consulate) who draws up civil status documents (birth, marriage, death...), keeps them and issues copies or extracts
Legal link between a child and his/her father and/or mother
Formalized writing for court action
What applies to you ?
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The procedure for rectification of a civil registration certificate varies if it is a simple error in form (spelling, forgetfulness, double indent...) or a an error that alters critical information.
Hardware error
This is a simple error of form or a forgetting.
Example :
Error on misspelled name, error in date of birth, forgot first name, error on home, profession
You can request the rectification of a birth certificate that includes a double dash between the 2 surnames of a child.
After correction, a heading is added after the double name, in the following form: (1st part: ... 2nd part: ...).
Example :
The double name Jeremy DUBOIS — DURAND becomes, after correction: DUBOIS DURAND (Part 1: DUBOIS Part 2: DURAND).
The application is made on free paper or on a cerfa form:
Request for rectification of a material error or omission contained in a civil status document
Please note
If the hardware error is contained in your birth certificate, you must first get the correction of that act. Afterwards, you can request, if necessary, the correction of the others civil status documents.
What are the supporting documents to attach to your application?
You must contact the documents following:
- Full copy(ies) of civil status documents to be rectified dating from less than 3 months
- Full Copy of a error-free act or copy of any document justifying the rectification
For example, the birth certificate of a married person whose name is misspelled on the marriage certificate. - Copy of your identity document. For example, national identity card, passport.
Depending on your situation, additional documents will be asked of you.
Where to apply?
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For a civil status document drawn up in France
You must contact the town hall where the deed was done.
Your request can be submitted or sent by mail.
For a civil status document drawn up abroad
You must contact the public prosecutor after Nantes Court of Justice, (Civil Prosecution Service).
Your request can be submitted or sent by mail.
Who shall I contact
For a document in lieu of a civil status certificate to a refugee or stateless person
You must contact the public prosecutor after judicial court in Paris.
Your request can be submitted or sent by mail.
Who shall I contact
Depending on the case, your request is processed by the registrar or the public prosecutor.
In any case, you are informed by post of the decision.
Material error
This is of an error or omission which relates to a essential information of the civil status document and who requires the assessment of the court.
Example :
- Error in parentage
- Mistake on the indication of the sex and given names of a person with a variation of genital development. A doctor must have noticed that his sex does not match that shown on his birth certificate.
The application is on free paper.
What are the supporting documents to attach to your application?
You must contact the documents following:
- Full copy(ies)) of the civil status documents to be rectified dating from less than 3 months
- Full Copy of any civil status document or copy of any document justifying the existence of an error and allowing its rectification.
For example, when the birth certificate is incomplete because one of the first names chosen by the parents is missing. - Copy of your identity document. For example, national identity card, passport.
Depending on your situation, additional documents may be requested.
Where to send your request?
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For a civil status document drawn up in France
You live in France
You must contact the court of law of your domicile or the place where the act was done.
Your request can be submitted or sent by mail.
Who shall I contact
You live abroad
You must contact the court of law in Paris.
Your request can be submitted or sent by mail.
Who shall I contact
For a civil status document drawn up abroad
You must contact the Nantes Court of Justice.
Your request can be submitted or sent by mail.
Who shall I contact
For a document in lieu of a civil status certificate to a refugee or stateless person
You must contact the judicial court in Paris.
Your request can be submitted or sent by mail.
Who shall I contact
You are informed by post of the decision.
Rectification of civil status documents
Administrative rectification of civil status documents
Judicial rectification of civil status documents
FAQ
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