Identity card of a minor: first request
Verified 29 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior
You wish to make a first request ID card for a minor? One French minor may have an identity card whatever his age (even a baby). The procedure varies according to whether the application is made in France or abroad and according to the age of the minor. In any case, the identity card is free of charge. We present you the steps of the process.
In France
Step-by-step approach
The place of application does not depend on the domicile. The minor and his legal representative can go to 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
It is possible to prepare the process by making a online pre-applicationBut it's not an obligation.
Pre-application saves time when submitting the application.
You have to present the documents originals.
The documents to be provided vary according to whether the minor already has a passport or not:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
The minor has a valid passport
The following documents must be submitted:
- Passport of the minor
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application
- 1 proof of address
- In case of pre-application, the pre-application number and/or the QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
The minor has an expired passport
Expiry date: less than 5 years
The following documents must be submitted:
- Passport of the minor
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application
- 1 proof of address
- In case of pre-application, the pre-application number and/or the QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
Expiry date: more than 5 years
The following documents must be submitted:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application
- 1 proof of address
- In the absence of a passport or if it is older, it is necessary to check whether the civil status of the place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality in special circumstances (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents)
- In case of pre-application, the pre-application number and/or the QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
The minor has no passport
The following documents must be submitted:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application
- 1 proof of address
- In the absence of a passport or if it is older, it is necessary to check whether the civil status of the place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality in special circumstances (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents)
- In case of pre-application, the pre-application number and/or the QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
FYI
If the minor wishes to use a usage name (double name) that is not yet on an identity document, other documents may be requested to justify the use of the name of other parent.
You have to go to the chosen place with the supporting documents.
The minor and his legal representative must show up set at the counter. Their presence is indispensable.
The legal representative must exercise parental authority. It could be the father, the mother or the guardian. He has to show his own ID.
Then, it all depends on the age of the minor:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Before 12 years
The legal representative signs the photo stub with the mention the father, the mother or the guardian.
Between 12 and 13 years
The minor's fingerprints are taken at the counter.
The legal representative signs the photo stub, accompanied by the mention the father, the mother or the guardian.
From 13 years
The minor's fingerprints are taken at the counter.
If his legal representative agrees, the minor can sign the photo stub.
Otherwise, it is the legal representative who affixes his signature, accompanied by the mention the father, the mother or the guardian.
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.
It is possible to follow the request 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.
The situation varies according to the age of the minor:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Before 12 years
The legal representative must go to the ticket office to collect the identity card.
The identity card that is issued is a card that is presented under a new format (the size of a credit card).
It must be removed in the 3 months of making it available.
After this time, the card is destroyed.
From 12 years
The legal representative must show up at the counter with his child to retrieve the ID card.
The identity card that is issued is a card that is presented under a new format (the size of a credit card).
It must be removed in the 3 months of making it available.
After this time, the card is destroyed.
The identity card of a minor is valid for 10 years.
If it reaches the age of majority before its expiry date, it can continue to use it. He doesn't need to ask for a new card.
Abroad
Step-by-step approach
The minor and his legal representative must move at the French Embassy or Consulate the country in which they wish to apply.
But beware, the service may require that the file be filed only by appointment. It is necessary to inquire on the website of the consulate or embassy, or by phone.
Who shall I contact
You have to present the documents originals.
The documents to be provided vary according to whether the minor already has a passport or not:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
The minor has a valid passport
The following documents must be submitted:
- Passport of the minor
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application.
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
The minor has an expired passport
Expiry date: less than 5 years
The following documents must be submitted:
- Passport of the minor
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application.
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
Expiry date: more than 5 years
The following documents must be submitted:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address
- In the absence of a passport or if it is older, it is necessary to check whether the civil status of the place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality in special circumstances (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents)
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application.
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
The minor has no passport
The following documents must be submitted:
- 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
- 1 proof of address
- In the absence of a passport or if it is older, it is necessary to check whether the civil status of the place of birth is dematerialized. If it is not the case, you must provide a birth certificate of less than 3 months.
- Proof of French nationality in special circumstances (e.g. birth abroad of foreign-born parents)
- Identity document of the legal representative submitting the application.
If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.
FYI
If the minor wishes to use a usage name (double name) that is not yet on an identity document, other documents may be requested to justify the use of the name of other parent.
You have to go to the chosen place with the supporting documents.
The minor and his legal representative must show up set at the counter. Their presence is indispensable.
The legal representative must exercise parental authority. It could be the father, the mother or the guardian. He has to show his own ID.
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.
The situation varies according to the age of the minor:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Before 12 years
The legal representative must be present either at the place of filing of the file or with a authorized honorary consul or a head of diplomatic or consular post to retrieve the ID card.
The identity card that is issued is a card that is presented under a new format (the size of a credit card).
It must be removed in the 3 months of making it available.
After this time, the card is destroyed.
From 12 years
The legal representative must show up with his child either at the place where the application was lodged, or with a authorized honorary consul or a head of diplomatic or consular post to retrieve the ID card.
The identity card that is issued is a card that comes in a new format (the size of a bank card).
It must be removed in the 3 months of making it available.
After this time, the card is destroyed.
The identity card of a minor is valid for 10 years.
If it reaches the age of majority before its expiry date, it can continue to use it. He doesn't need to ask for a new card.
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