ID card of an adult: first request
Verified 29 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior
You are major and wish to ask your first national identity card ? The procedure varies depending on whether the request is made in France or abroad and if you have already a passport or not. In any case, the identity card is free of charge. We present you the steps in the process.
In France
Step-by-step approach
The location of the request does not depend on your domicile. You can surrender in any town hall, provided that it is equipped with a recording station.
The list of equipped town halls can be consulted online:
Who shall I contact
Warning
Many town halls require that the file be filed only by appointment.
THEANTS: titleContent make available a search engine enabling find an appointment in an equipped town hall:
Find an appointment for an ID card request
You can prepare the process by making a online pre-applicationBut it's not an obligation.
Pre-application saves you time when submitting the application.
You have to present the documents originals.
The documents to be presented vary depending on whether you already have a passport or not:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You have a valid passport
You must submit the following documents:
- Your passport
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year
- If you have made a pre-application, the pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
You have an expired passport
Expiry date: less than 5 years
You must submit the following documents:
- Your passport
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year
- If you have made a pre-application, the pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
Expiry date: more than 5 years
You must submit the following documents:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year
- If you don't have a passport or it is older, check if the civil status of your place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality if you find yourself in a particular situation (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents)
- If you have made a pre-application, the pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
You don't have a passport
You must submit the following documents:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year
- If you don't have a passport or it is older, check if the civil status of your place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality if you find yourself in a particular situation (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents)
- If you have made a pre-application, the pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
FYI
To use a usage name that is not yet on an identity document, other documents must be provided depending on the nature of that second name: name of spouse or name of other parent.
You must move to the place you have chosen bringing the necessary documents.
Your presence is essential to proceed with fingerprinting.
The identity card is not manufactured on site and therefore cannot be issued immediately.
The manufacturing time depends on the location and period of the request. It takes several weeks and, as the summer holidays approach, delays can extend.
You can track your request on the website of theANTS: titleContent :
If you entered a mobile phone number when you applied, you will receive an SMS when your ID card is available.
You must remove the card personally at the place where the dossier was lodged.
It must be removed within 3 months. After this time, it will be destroyed.
The identity card is in the form of a credit card.
The card is valid for 10 years.
Abroad
Step-by-step approach
You have to move consulate or embassy.
You must inquire either on the website of the consulate or embassy, or by phone.
Who shall I contact
Warning
The service may require that the file be filed only by appointment.
You have to present the documents originals.
The documents to be presented vary depending on whether you already have a passport or not:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You have a valid passport
You must submit the following documents:
- Your passport
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year.
You have an expired passport
Expiry date: less than 5 years
You must submit the following documents:
- Your passport
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year.
Expiry date: more than 5 years
You must submit the following documents:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year
- If you don't have a passport or it is older, check if the civil status of your place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality if you find yourself in a particular situation (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents).
You don't have a passport
You must submit the following documents:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address of less than 1 year
- If you don't have a passport or it is older, check if the civil status of your place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality if you find yourself in a particular situation (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents).
FYI
To use a usage name that is not yet on an identity document, other documents must be provided depending on the nature of that second name: name of spouse or name of other parent.
You must travel to the consulate or embassy with the necessary documents.
Your presence is essential to proceed with fingerprinting.
If you wish to collect the identity card from a authorized honorary consul or a head of diplomatic or consular post, this must be indicated at the counter when the application is submitted.
The identity card is not manufactured on site and is therefore not issued immediately.
Manufacturing times depend on the location and period of the request.
It is possible to follow the progress of the application on the website of theANTS: titleContent :
If a mobile phone number has been entered during the request, an SMS will be sent when the identity card is available.
You must pick up your identity card either at the place of filing the file, or from a authorized honorary consul or a head of diplomatic or consular post.
It must be withdrawn within 3 months. After this time, the new card is destroyed.
The identity card is in the form of a credit card.
The card is valid for 10 years.
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