Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC)

Verified 27 July 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

You are French and you are between 16 and 25 years old? You want to register for an exam (baccalaureate, driver's license...) and you are asked for a certificate of participation in Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC), but you don't know how to get it? Are you wondering about the progress of the JDC? We tell you everything you need to know.

The organization of the JDC is different, depending on whether you live in France or abroad.

In France

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General case

After completing your citizen census, you must participate in a JDC: titleContent.

You have the "mobility inclusion" card with the mention "disability"

After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC: titleContent.

To do this, you must present your card mobility inclusion marked invalidity to CSNJ: titleContent closest.

If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.

You have a disability card

After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC: titleContent.

To do this, you must present your disability card to the CSNJ: titleContent closest.

If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.

You're disabled

After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC: titleContent.

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.

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

General case
Date and place of your JDC

You will receive a written summons indicating the date and place of your JDC: titleContent.

The summons arrives approximately 45 days before the date of your JDC.

The JDC takes place between the date of your citizen census and the date of your 18the birthday.

FYI  

In general, the JDC lasts 8:30 a.m. from the time of the meeting.

Transportation costs to JDC

Your summons to the JDC entitles you to:

  • Either to a return transport ticket, which is given to you during your JDC. This voucher can be used on the local public transport network (bus, coach, metro or tram).
  • Or a lump sum travel allowance.
    If you live in the metropolis, the compensation is €20 or €10, depending on whether or not the location of the JDC is located more than 20 km from your municipality. You receive this amount by check letter a few weeks after the JDC.
    If you live overseas, the allowance is equal to your transportation costs, up to a maximum of one maximum amount.
You become French between the ages of 18 and 25
Date and place of your JDC

You will receive a written summons indicating the date and place of your JDC: titleContent.

The summons will be sent to you within 3 to 9 months after your citizen census.

FYI  

In general, the JDC lasts 8:30 a.m. from the time of the meeting.

Transportation costs to JDC

Your summons to the JDC entitles you to:

  • Either to a return transport ticket, which is given to you during your JDC. This voucher can be used on the local public transport network (bus, coach, metro or tram).
  • Or a lump sum travel allowance.
    If you live in the metropolis, the compensation is €20 or €10, depending on whether or not the location of the JDC is located more than 20 km from your municipality. You receive this amount by check letter a few weeks after the JDC.
    If you live overseas, the allowance is equal to your transportation costs, up to a maximum of one maximum amount.

If you are an employee or an apprentice, you are entitled to a exceptional absence permit a day.

To do this, you must present your summons to your employer.

FYI  

Your employer is prohibited from deducting this day from your leave or from your pay.

If the date or place of the JDC: titleContent is not suitable for you, you can ask your CSNJ: titleContent other dates or other locations.

Your written request must reach the CSNJ: titleContent within 15 days of the date on which you received your summons.

If you've done your census, but you can't JDC: titleContent before you turn 18, you can ask your CSNJ: titleContent to be summoned within 3 months. Depending on the reason for which you are requesting the postponement of the JDC, your CSNJ will be able to grant you a provisional attestation pending summons. This certificate will be used to prove that you are provisionally in good standing under the JDC.

You can apply for the interim attestation:

  • Either by e-mail. You must attach a scan of your valid identity card or passport.
  • Either by mail. You must attach a photocopy of your valid identity card or passport.

In general, the JDC lasts 7:30 a.m. from the time of the meeting.

During your JDC: titleContent, you receive:

  • Lessons learned about the broader challenges and objectives of national defense, and the different forms of engagement
  • a teaching on civic-mindedness, based on the charter of rights and duties of french citizens
  • information on equality between women and men, the fight against gender bias and the fight against physical, psychological or sexual violence committed within a couple

You also take tests to evaluate the fundamental learning of the French language.

Obtaining the certificate

At the end of the day, you will be given an individual certificate of participation in the JDC: titleContent. This document certifies that you have participated in the JDC.

What should I do if my certificate is lost or stolen?

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You did your JDC in France

If you lose or have your certificate stolen, or if it is damaged, you can request a certificate of administrative status at your National Youth Service Center (NYSC).

You can make your request:

  • by email, with a scan of your identity card or passport (valid)
  • or by post, with a photocopy of your identity card or passport (valid).

To find out the contact details of your CSNJ:

Please note

from the age of 25, none certificate of administrative status is not delivered. Indeed, you no longer have to justify your situation concerning the JDC to register for an exam (driver's license, BEP...) or an administrative competition organized by the French public authority.

You've done your JDC abroad

You must request a certificate of administrative status at the Perpignan National and Youth Service (CSNJ) Center.

For contact details:

Please note

from the age of 25, none certificate of administrative status is not delivered. Indeed, you no longer have to justify your situation concerning the JDC to register for an exam (driver's license, BEP...) or an administrative competition organized by the French public authority.

When should the certificate be presented?

The certificate is part of the proof to be presented when you register for an examination or competition organized by the French authorities.

Registration for the driver's license examination:

The proof you need to sign up for the driving license examination in France depends on your age:

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Before age 17

You don't have to provide proof.

17 to 24 years old

You must provide one of the following:

  • Individual certificate of participation in the JDC
  • Individual exemption certificate to the JDC
  • Certificate of administrative status (issued in case of deterioration, loss or theft of your certificate or certificate)
  • Provisional certificate "summons procedure" (in case of waiting to summon to the JDC)

From 25 years

You don't have to provide proof.

Registration for other exams and competitions:

The proof you need to sign up for a an examination (BEP, Baccalaureate...) or an administrative competition subject to the control of the French public authority depends on your age:

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Before age 18 

You must submit one of the following documents:

  • Census certificate
  • Individual certificate of participation in the JDC: titleContent
  • Individual exemption certificate to the JDC
  • Certificate of administrative status (issued on request in case of deterioration, loss or theft of your certificate or certificate)

From 18 to 24 years 

You must submit one of the following documents:

  • Individual certificate of participation in the JDC
  • Individual exemption certificate to the JDC
  • Certificate of administrative status (issued upon request in case of loss or theft of certificate or certificate)
  • Provisional certificate "summons procedure" (in case of waiting to summon to the JDC)

From 25 years

You don't have to provide proof.

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
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:

My JDC

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.

Abroad

After completing your citizen census, you must participate in the JDC: titleContent before the age of 25.

FYI  

if you have the mobility inclusion card with the mention "disability", or the disability card, or if you are disabled (subject to having a medical certificate), you can apply for permission not to participate in the JDC.

After completing your citizen census, you find yourself in one of these 3 situations:

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A "normal" JDC is organized

This is a day or half-day of theoretical training during which you attend lectures and films on the following topics:

You're summoned by the consulate. The summons is sent to you approximately 3 months before the date of your JDC: titleContent.

If you are unable to participate in the JDC on the date set, you must notify the consulate within 45 days of sending the summons.

At the end of your JDC, you receive a certificate of participation in the JDC.

An "adapted" JDC is organized, taking into account the local context

Due to geographical or political specificities, the consulate may be obliged to organize a JDC: titleContent "suitable". This JDC is in the form of an information document.

You will receive the backgrounder directly by mail, which lists useful links to the Department of National Defense website. You also receive your certificate of participation in the JDC.

During your stay in France, you can request to participate in a new JDC, if you wish. To do so, you will need to contact the CSNJ: titleContent of your place of residence in France.

No JDC is organized, given the local context

Where geographical or political circumstances prevent the Consulate from organizing a JDC: titleContent "normal" or a suitable JDC, you are then obliged to participate in a JDC in France, as soon as you come to reside there before the age of 25. To do so, you must contact the CSNJ: titleContent of your place of residence in France.

If you do not return to France before the age of 25, you will receive a certificate stating that you are in good standing with regard to the JDC. This certificate shall be valid for a period of time.

The individual certificate of participation allows you to prove that you have carried out the JDC: titleContent.

You will have to present this document in case of registration in France for an exam (baccalaureate, driving license...) or an administrative competition before 25 years.

In case of loss or theft of your certificate, you can request a certificate of administrative status at the Perpignan National and Youth Service (CSNJ) Center.

Change of situation

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.

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.

Registration for exams or competitions

The proof you need to sign up for a an examination (BEP, Baccalaureate...) or an administrative competition subject to the control of the French public authority depends on your age:

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Before age 18 

You must submit one of the following documents:

  • Census certificate
  • Individual certificate of participation in the JDC: titleContent
  • Individual exemption certificate to the JDC
  • Certificate of administrative status (issued on request in case of deterioration, loss or theft of your certificate or certificate)

From 18 to 24 years 

You must submit one of the following documents:

  • Individual certificate of participation in the JDC
  • Individual exemption certificate to the JDC
  • Certificate of administrative status (issued upon request in case of loss or theft of certificate or certificate)
  • Provisional certificate "summons procedure" (in case of waiting to summon to the JDC)

From 25 years

You don't have to provide proof.

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