How do I challenge a civil registration refusal from the city hall?
Verified 15 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The City Hall is obliged to issue you the following civil status documents:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Death certificate
- Family booklet in case of marriage or birth of the first child
The city hall must also update family book if you ask him to.
Civil status documents shall be drawn up by a registrar which is under the control of the public prosecutor.
In the event of an unjustified refusal by the City Council (for example, sexual orientation of a person, discriminatory ground) to issue or update an act, you can contact the Public Prosecutor of the court in whose jurisdiction the act or the register was established.
Who shall I contact
You can send your request by post or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
Without a reply from him within 3 months, you can refer the matter to the court in whose jurisdiction the document or register was drawn up.
You can apply using the following form:
Application for referral to the Court of Justice
Who shall I contact
If you have problems with the city hall, you have the opportunity to refer to the Defender of Rights. Its delegates help you understand your rights and guide you in your efforts.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Judicial Tribunal
Defender of Rights
By telephone (general information)
09 69 39 00 00
Cost of a local call
From Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm
By post (from France, free and without postage)
Defender of Rights
Free answer 71120
75342 Paris cedex 07
Attention: attach photocopies of the documents relating to your referral to your post.
By post (from the foreigner, with stamp)
Defender of Rights
3 Place de Fontenoy
75007 Paris
FRANCE
Attention: attach photocopies of the documents relating to your referral to your post.
By email
Access to contact form
Jurisdiction of the court in matters of civil status