How do I get a copy of a judgment?
Verified 21 September 2022 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice
You have need of the copy of your divorce decree or a criminal conviction ? A copy of a court decision shall be obtained generally from your lawyer. But it can be obtained from the court registry who has pronounced the decision. Demand depends on type of judgment (civil or criminal). In some cases, such issue shall not be integral pitch, nor is it legal.
Civil judgment
You can request a enforceable copy to make execute a judgment and/or one simple copy (true copy) for all other uses. In some cases, only one extract may be issued.
You can send your request to court registry who has decision rendered.
After 30 years, the court may not be able to issue it. In this case, it is necessary to contact the departmental archives.
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General case
You can request a copy of a court decision using the cerfa form no. 11808 or on free paper.
Request for a copy of a judgment in civil, social or commercial matters
Your request can be made by a simple letter or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
You must to submit the application to graft of that jurisdiction.
Who shall I contact
Decision of a Court of Appeal or Court of Cassation
You can request the copy using the cerfa form no. 11808 or on free paper.
Request for a copy of a judgment in civil, social or commercial matters
You must to submit the application to graft of that jurisdiction.
Decision made over 30 years ago
The court concerned was able to pay the minute to the archives. In this case, you can contact the departmental archives.
Who shall I contact
You can check your access using an online service:
Verify access rights to a decision held by the departmental archives
FYI
judgments over 75 years of age are available for consultation by all (after 100 years in the case of a minor). In the event of the death of the party, the period shall be 25 years from that death.
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You went to trial
You can request a copy of a court decision concerning you.
If you are represented by a lawyer, he or she will receive a copy of the decision that he or she provides to you.
Who shall I contact
You are an heir or entitled
If you are heir or entitled of a deceased person, you can obtain a copy of a decision concerning that person.
In some cases, you may only be issued an extract containing the essential information (e.g. divorce).
You didn't go to trial
If you are a third party at the trial, you can ask for a copy of a judgment that has been rendered publicly (in the presence of the public)
FYI
judgments are accessible except in cases of abusive applications (repeated applications, too many,...).
If you're a party to a trial and you want to enforce a decision, you can apply for a enforceable copy.
In other cases, you can request a simple copy.
In some cases, you can only get one extract of judgment.
Enforceable copy
If you're a party to the trial, you can request the enforceable copy. If you are represented by a lawyer, this copy shall be sent to him by the Registry.
It allows you to have the judge's decision enforced by a bailiff, in the absence of voluntary execution by your opponent.
You must attach a copy of your ID.
If there is a legitimate reason, such as loss or destruction, a 2e enforceable copy may be issued to you by the Registrar of the court or tribunal which delivered the judgment.
A copy of a judgment with the enforceable formula allows your bailiff to enforce the decision taken by the court.
It allows you to implement judicial decisions if they are not executed voluntarily. For example, if you want to get damages or support or foreclosures.
Simple Copy
You can get the simple copy of a court decision for various purposes. It can be used as evidence in another proceeding.
For example, a copy of an adoption judgment may be useful in the case of succession or a copy of a divorce judgment in the constitution of a retirement file.
Warning
only the parties, their heirs or beneficiaries may request a copy of a decision on filiation, adoption or guardianship. This is also the case for the rectification of civil status, change of marital status and community liquidation.
Extract
You can get an extract from a judgment which includes only essential information.
You can't enforce a decision with just the excerpt, but it can be useful in certain administrative procedures such as a release or transcript.
Please note
if an organism (for example, Caf: titleContent) or an administration (for example, taxes) asks you for a copy of your divorce judgment, you can obtain an excerpt from that decision.
In case of refusal or silence kept for 2 months on the issue of a copy by the registry of the tribunal, you may refer the matter to the president of the tribunal concerned. It shall give its decision by a order on application.
The request must be filed by a lawyer, by the person requesting a copy by mail or by a representative (for example, Commissioner of Justice) to the court that issued the decision.
Who shall I contact
You can do appeal of the decision within 15 days.
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General case
The request for a copy is free.
Before the Commercial Court
The cost of a copy of a decision is €4.03 TTC if sent by post. In the case of electronic transmission, the cost is €4.71 TTC.
Criminal judgment
You can request a enforceable copy to make execute a judgment and/or simple copy (true copy) for all other uses. In some cases, only one extract may be issued.
You must request permission from the public prosecutor, in particular where the case is pending or where calling party or appeal to the Court of Cassation,
You can send your request to graft of the court that issued the decision.
After 30 years, the court may not be able to issue it. In this case, it is necessary to contact the departmental archives.
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General case
You can request a copy of a criminal decision with the cerfa form no. 12823 or on free paper.
Request for a copy of a criminal court decision
The request may be made by simple letter or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
You must to submit the application to graft of that jurisdiction.
Who shall I contact
Decision of a Court of Appeal or Court of Cassation
You can request a copy of a criminal decision with the cerfa form no. 12823 or on free paper.
Request for a copy of a criminal court decision
The request may be made by simple letter or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
You must to submit the application to graft of that jurisdiction.
Decision made over 30 years ago
You can get closer to the departmental archives to verify your access by using an online service:
Verify access rights to a decision held by the departmental archives
FYI
judgments over 75 years of age are available to all (and after 100 years if a minor). In the event of the death of the party, the period shall be 25 years from that death.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You went to trial
You can request a copy of a court decision concerning you.
If you are represented by a lawyer, he or she will receive a copy of the decision that he or she provides to you.
Who shall I contact
You didn't go to trial
If you are a third party to the trial, you can request a copy of a criminal judgment.
Your application is subject to authorization in certain areas. The request may be refused or elements identifying the persons may be concealed.
Judgment without authorization
If you are a third party to the trial, you can request a copy of a criminal judgment. It may be issued to you without authorization if the judgment is final and it was returned publicly (in the presence of the public)
The public prosecutor or the attorney general may, however, oppose the issue of the copy by reasoned decision in particular in the following cases:
- Amnesty rehabilitation, trial review
- Condemnation prescribed
- Intent to harm
The public prosecutor or the attorney general may decide by reasoned decision to conceal elements of the judgment. This is the case if the disclosure is likely to compromise the security or privacy of the parties or third parties. Other elements may be concealed if their disclosure could endanger the security or privacy of individuals or their entourage (magistrates, members of the registry, etc.).
FYI
under the open data, in the event of an abusive request (large number of requests, repeated requests, etc.), your request may be refused by the registry director of the court.
Judgment subject to authorization
You must obtain permission from the public prosecutor or the attorney general in particular in the following cases:
- Non-final decision (appeals have not expired)
- Decision of a Judge of instruction
- Decision of an enforcement judge (responsible for the follow-up of the convicted person)
- Juvenile judge's decision
You must have a legitimate reason, such as an insurer's claim.
You may be denied this permission by reasoned decision (need for investigation...).
You can appeal to the President of the Investigative Chamber in the two months of the notification.
You can request a simple copy for various uses (insurance, administration...).
If you are civil party at a trial and you want to enforce a decision, you can ask for a enforceable copy.
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General case
If a judgment is pronounced publicly (in the presence of the public), the decision is accessible to all. The identification of the persons mentioned in the decision must be concealed. We're talking aboutanonymization the names and forenames of the parties and third parties in the decision.
Where the judgment is not public (national security, protection of privacy, etc.), the judgment may be communicated only under certain conditions.
Public judgment
You can obtain a certified copy of the final judgments and judgments whether the decision has been given publicly.
FYI
a judgment may be pronounced publicly, even if the debates which preceded it were not public (in camera). In this case, if you are a third party, only one extract may be communicated to you.
Non-public judgment
If the decision is pronounced without the public being present, it can only be communicated to the persons directly concerned (perpetrator, victim) and their heirs. This is the case, for example, if the person is a minor at the time of the offense.
FYI
non-public judgements may be communicated to all 75 years after the decision (or 100 years if they concern a minor). In the event of the death of the parties, the 25-year period shall start from the death of the persons concerned.
Civil party
If you are a civil party, you can request a copy of the enforcement order.
In the event that the decision grants you damages., you can submit this enforceable copy to a bailiff to carry out his forced execution.
In case of refusal or absence of response during 2 months on the issue of a copy by the registry of the tribunal, you may refer the matter to the president of the tribunal concerned. It shall give its decision by a order on application.
The request must be filed by a lawyer, by the person requesting a copy by simple letter or by a representative (for example, Commissioner of Justice).
Who shall I contact
You can do appeal of the decision within 15 days.
The request for a copy of judgment is free when requested either by your lawyer or by you even if you do not have a lawyer.
If you request a second copy or if you are not a party to the proceedings, the cost of the copy is €0.46 per page and from €5 by digital medium (regardless of page number)s.
The copy made shall be kept at your disposal at the Registry of the court or tribunal. It may be sent to you at your expense by post.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
The informants who answer you are from the Department of Justice.
Cost: free service
Service available at the following times:
- Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
Request for enforceable copy
Request for a copy of an old judgment
Request for a copy of a civil judgment
Issue of a copy of a criminal judgment
Issue of a copy of a public judgment
Issuance of a public judgment to a third party
Issuance of an extract of judgment
Tariff copy of criminal decisions
Copy to third parties
Obfuscation of decisions (Art L 111-13)