Census of Citizens
Verified 05 April 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
You're French and you'll soon be 16? You want to register for an exam (BEP, Baccalaureate...) and you are asked to provide a certificate of citizen censusBut you don't know how to get it? You're wondering what the citizen census (sometimes called by mistake military census)? We tell you everything you need to know.
Make your citizen census at the age of 16 years is mandatory, that you lived in France or abroad :
In France
The period of the citizen census depends on your situation:
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Young French born
If you were born French, you have to do your citizen census from your 16the birthday. You have to do it within 3 months. You have until the end of the 3rde months to do it.
Example :
If your 16the Anniversary is January 12, 2023, you must complete your citizen census between January 12, 2023 and April 30, 2023.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The process remains the same.
Young man turned French
If you became French between the ages of 16 and 25, you must be registered within one month obtaining French nationality.
Example :
If you obtain French citizenship on January 12, 2023, you must complete your citizen census between January 12, 2023, and February 12, 2023.
FYI
if you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The process remains the same.
Young person who can reject French nationality
If you have the opportunity to to refuse French nationality and that you choose to be French, you must be registered between the day you turn 16 and the month after your 19th birthdaye birthday.
Example :
If your 16the Anniversary is January 12, 2023, you must complete your citizen census between January 12, 2023 and February 12, 2026.
FYI
if you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The process remains the same.
He is obligatory to carry out the citizen census.
After you've done your citizen census :
- You get a census certificate.
This certificate is essential to be able to register you before the age of 18 years for an exam (BEP, Bac...) or an administrative competition in France. - You are called to the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC). You must have done the JDC (or been exempted from it), to be able to register you from 18 years of age for an exam (BEP, Bac...), or an administrative competition, or for the examination of the driving license in France. This obligation ceases from your 25the birthday.
- You are automatically registered to vote from your 18the birthday and then you can vote.
General case
You can do the citizen census at your home town hall or on the internet:
Census at City Hall
You must complete your census at town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless (homeless), this is the municipality of the municipality where the organization with which you have done business is located address for service.
You have to do the census yourself.
But if you are a minor, one of your parents can do this for you and in your absence.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
- Proof of domicile
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
Internet Census
You must use this online service:
You must provide the following:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
Disability or disability
The approach to take depends on your situation:
You have the "mobility inclusion" card with the mention "disability"
Census at City Hall
You must complete your census at town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless (homeless), this is the municipality of the municipality where the organization with which you have done business is located address for service.
You have to do the census yourself.
But if you are a minor, one of your parents can do this for you and in your absence.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
- Proof of domicile
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC.
To do this, you must present your "mobility inclusion" card marked "disability" in the CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
Internet Census
You must use this online service:
You must provide the following:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC.
To do this, you must present your "mobility inclusion" card marked "disability" in the CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
You have a disability card
Census at City Hall
You must complete your census at town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless (homeless), this is the municipality of the municipality where the organization with which you have done business is located address for service.
You have to do the census yourself.
But if you are a minor, one of your parents can do this for you and in your absence.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
- Proof of domicile
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC.
To do this, you must present your disability card to the CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
Internet Census
You must use this online service:
You must provide the following:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC.
To do this, you must present your disability card to the CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
You're disabled
Census at City Hall
You must complete your census at town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless (homeless), this is the municipality of the municipality where the organization with which you have done business is located address for service.
You have to do the census yourself.
But if you are a minor, one of your parents can do this for you and in your absence.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
- Proof of domicile
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC.
To do this, you must provide either a medical certificate dated less than 3 months and describing your handicap, or a copy of the cerfa certificate no. 15695.
This document must be inserted in an envelope marked Medical Confidential. You must deposit this envelope in a 2e envelope. You must send this 2e envelope at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive:
- Let's say one individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC
- Or, in the case of temporary incapacity, provisional certificate providing for the postponement of your participation in the JDC
Internet Census
You must use this online service:
You must provide the following:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
Your census done, you get your census certificate.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC.
To do this, you must provide either a medical certificate dated less than 3 months and describing your handicap, or a copy of the cerfa certificate no. 15695.
This document must be inserted in an envelope marked Medical Confidential. You must deposit this envelope in a 2e envelope. You must send this 2e envelope at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive:
- Let's say one individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC
- Or, in the case of temporary incapacity, provisional certificate providing for the postponement of your participation in the JDC
Once your census is done, the city hall gives you your census certificate.
Generally, an information brochure on the national service is also provided.
Warning
none duplicate of your census certificate will be provided.
Menstrual periods vary depending on your age:
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You're under 25
You must request a certificate of administrative status at your National Youth Service Center (NYSC). You can ask:
- Either by email (with a scan of your valid ID card or passport)
- Either by mail (with a photocopy of your valid ID card or passport)
Who shall I contact
You are 25 years of age or older
You cannot get of attestation of administrative status after the age of 25.
The census certificate is used to prove that you have completed your citizen census.
To register before the age of 18 for an exam (BEP, Baccalaureate...) or competition organized by the french administration, you must present one of the following documents:
- Your census certificate
- In case of loss or theft of your census certificate, a certificate of administrative status (which you must ask your national service center)
- A document proving your situation regarding the citizenship defense day (JDC). This may be your individual certificate of participation in the JDC or your individual exemption certificate to the JDC.
After the citizen census and as long as you are not 25 years old, you must inform your CSNJ: titleContent of any change in your situation:
- Change of residence (moving). You should also report any absence from your usual home for more than 4 months.
- Changing your family situation (for example, you are getting married or passing through, you have a child)
- Change in work status (for example, from student to employee)
You can report your change of situation:
By email
Who shall I contact
Via the Internet
You can make your statement on the online service My JDC.
To do this, you must first have created your personal account:
By mail
You must use the cerfa n°11718 form:
Declaration of change of situation at the National Service and Youth Center (CSNJ)
You must send this form to your CSNJ: titleContent.
Who shall I contact
Abroad
The period of the citizen census depends on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Young French born
If you were born French, you have to do your citizen census from your 16the birthday. You have to do it within 3 months. You have until the end of the 3rde months to do it.
Example :
If your 16the Anniversary is January 12, 2023, you must complete your citizen census between January 12, 2023 and April 30, 2023.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The process remains the same.
Young man turned French
If you became French between the ages of 16 and 25, you must be registered within one month obtaining French nationality.
Example :
If you obtain French citizenship on January 12, 2023, you must complete your citizen census between January 12, 2023, and February 12, 2023.
FYI
if you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The process remains the same.
Young person who can reject French nationality
If you have the opportunity to to refuse French nationality and that you choose to be French, you must be registered between the day you turn 16 and the month after your 19th birthdaye birthday.
Example :
If your 16the Anniversary is January 12, 2023, you must complete your citizen census between January 12, 2023 and February 12, 2026.
FYI
if you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The process remains the same.
He is obligatory to carry out the citizen census.
After completing your citizen census:
- You get a census certificate. You have to present this certificate to be able to register before the age of 18 years for an exam (BEP, Bac...) or an administrative competition in France.
- You are called to the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC). You must have done the JDC (or been exempted from it) to be able to register you from 18 years of age for an examination (BEP, Bac...), or an administrative competition, or for the examination of the driving license in France. This obligation ceases from your 25the birthday.
- You are automatically registered to vote from 18 years. You can vote from the age of 18.
FYI
If you are registered on the register of French nationals established outside France, your citizen census is automatic. So you don't have to do anything.
It all depends on your situation:
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Young person registered in the French register established outside France
If you are registered on the register of French nationals established outside France, your citizen census is automatic. So you don't have to do anything.
Warning
If you have several nationalities, you must report it to the consulate.
Who shall I contact
Unregistered youth
You have to do it yourself.
If you are a minor, one of your parents can do this for you.
The consulate must be visited with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Up-to-date family booklet
If you have more than one nationality, you must it is imperative to report it to the consulate.
Who shall I contact
Please note
you can make your citizen census until the day before your 25the birthday. The approach to be taken is the same as the one to be taken at the age of 16.
The census certificate is used to prove that you have made your citizen census.
How do I get the census certificate?
Following the citizen census, your embassy or consular authority will give you a census certificate. It shall not be issued with duplicate.
What should I do in case of loss or theft of the census certificate?
You can request a certificate of administrative status at the Perpignan National and Youth Service (CSNJ) Center.
Who shall I contact
When is the census certificate required?
The census certificate is used to prove that you have completed your citizen census.
To register before the age of 18 for an exam (BEP, Baccalaureate...) or competition organized by the french administration, you must present one of the following documents:
- Your census certificate
- In case of loss or theft of your census certificate, a certificate of administrative status (which you must ask your national service center)
- A document proving your situation regarding the citizenship defense day (JDC). This may be your individual certificate of participation in the JDC or your individual exemption certificate to the JDC.
After your citizen census and as long as you are not 25 years old, you must inform your National Service and Youth Center (CSNJ) of any change in your situation:
- Change of domicile (any absence from habitual domicile for more than 4 months must also be reported)
- Change in family situation
- Change of employment status
You can file your change of situation report:
By email
You have to send it to Perpignan's CSNJ.
Who shall I contact
By mail
You must use the cerfa n°11718 form:
Declaration of change of situation at the National Service and Youth Center (CSNJ)
You have to send it to Perpignan's CSNJ.
Who shall I contact
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
You live in France
Town HallYou live abroad
French Embassy or Consulate Abroad
- National Service Code: Articles L113-1 to L113-8Census (age, certificate, ...)
- National Service Code: Articles R*111-1 to R*111-17-5Census (conditions, procedures, ...)
- Code of Public-Administrative Relations: Articles R113-5 to R113-9Article R113-6: supporting documents and photocopies
- Instruction of 5 January 2004 on census operations for the performance of the national service
- Order of 11 January 2016 on the identification and participation of French nationals living outside France in the JDC, outside the national territory
- Census of Citizens
Online service
- My JDC
Online service
FAQ
- Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC)Service-Public.fr
- Consular registration in the register of French nationals established outside FranceService-Public.fr
- Instruction on medical exemption from participation in JDC (PDF - 3.3 MB)Legifrance
- Abroad: Census of Citizens and Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC)Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- To contact CSNJ PerpignanMinistry of Defense
- National universal serviceMinistry of Education