Identity card / Passport: is it mandatory to be present at the counter?

Verified 01 March 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Identity card

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For a major

Yes, your presence is obligatory to file the file. You must also travel to remove your card.

Exceptionally, an officer may travel to your home if a medical reason or disability prevents you from traveling. In this case, a medical certificate of less than 3 months duration must be provided indicating this impossibility.

For a minor

Filing of the application

The minor must be present and accompanied an official at the filing of the file.

Exceptionally, an officer may travel to your home if a medical reason or disability prevents you from traveling. In this case, a medical certificate of less than 3 months duration must be provided indicating this impossibility.

Removal of the identity card
The minor is under 12 years of age

To withdraw the card, the presence of the minor is optional. The person in charge can run alone.

The minor is 12 years of age or older

The manager and the minor must go to the counter to collect the identity card.

Passport

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In France

From 18 years

Your presence is required to file the file. You must also travel to collect your passport.

Exceptionally, an agent can travel to your home if the passport is essential and urgent and if a serious medical reason prevents your travel. In this case, a medical certificate must be provided indicating this severity and the lack of potential improvement.

Between 12 and 17 years old
  • To file the file, the minor must be present and accompanied by a person with parental authority.
    Exceptionally, an officer may travel to his or her home if the passport is indispensable and urgent and if there is a serious medical reason preventing the travel. In this case, a medical certificate must be provided indicating this severity and the lack of potential improvement.
  • In order to withdraw the passport, the presence of the minor and the responsible parent is also essential.
Before age 12
  • To file the file, the minor must be present and accompanied by a person with parental authority.
    Exceptionally, an officer may travel to his or her home if the passport is indispensable and urgent and if there is a serious medical reason preventing the travel. In this case, a medical certificate must be provided indicating this severity and the lack of potential improvement.
  • To withdraw the passport, the presence of the minor is optional. The parent may present himself or herself.

In Canada or Portugal

From 18 years
This is your passport renewal

You can apply to renew your passport without moving at the embassy or consulate if you meet all of the following conditions :

  • You still have your passport (it has not been lost or stolen)
  • You were at least 18 years old on the date of issuance of your current passport
  • Your passport is still valid or has expired for less than 5 years
  • You are not applying for a passport renewal to change your birth name or first name or gender
  • You do not apply for a 2nd passport (for business reasons or incompatible destinations)
  • You are registered to Register of French outside France and have your consular registration number (Numic) and your registered email address
  • You have a La Poste digital identity
You meet all of these conditions

If you wish, you can apply to renew your passport without traveling to the consulate. Multiple steps are to be respected. You will receive your passport at home.

You do not meet all of these conditions

Your presence is required to file the file. You must also travel to collect your passport.

Other situation

Your presence is required to file the file. You must also travel to collect your identity card or passport.

Between 12 and 17 years old
  • To file the file, the minor must be present and accompanied by a person with parental authority.
  • In order to withdraw the passport, the presence of the minor and the responsible parent is also essential.
Before age 12
  • To file the file, the minor must be present and accompanied by a person with parental authority.
  • To withdraw the passport, the presence of the minor is optional. The parent may present himself or herself.

In another country

From 18 years

Your presence is required to file the file. You must also travel to collect your passport.

Between 12 and 17 years old
  • To file the file, the minor must be present and accompanied by a person with parental authority.
  • In order to withdraw the passport, the presence of the minor and the responsible parent is also essential.
Before age 12
  • To file the file, the minor must be present and accompanied by a person with parental authority.
  • To withdraw the passport, the presence of the minor is optional. The parent may present himself or herself.