Elections: identity papers to be presented to vote

Verified 18 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

To vote, you must prove your identity. The documents to be presented are different depending on whether you vote in France or from the foreigner.

In France

The documents to be presented are different, depending on whether you are French or you have the nationality of another member country of the European Union :

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French

You can submit one of the following documents:

  • National identity card (valid or expired for less than 5 years)
  • Passport (valid or expired for less than 5 years)
  • Identity card of parliamentarian (valid) with photograph, issued by the president of a parliamentary assembly
  • Identity card of local elected official (valid) with photograph, issued by the State representative
  • Vital card with photograph
  • Veteran's card (valid) with photograph, issued by the National Office for War Veterans and Victims
  • Disability card (valid) with photograph or mobility card inclusion (valid) with photograph
  • Identity card of State official with photograph
  • Identity card with photograph or road pass (valid) with photograph, issued by the military authorities
  • Driving license (valid)
  • Receipt for proof of identity (valid), issued in exchange for identity documents in case of judicial review
  • Hunting permit (valid) with photograph, issued by the National Office of Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS). The hunting permit issued by the French Office for Biodiversity is not valid.

Warning  

You must present the original document. A photograph or smartphone download or photocopy is not accepted.

In a municipality of less than 1,000 inhabitants, the identity document is not mandatory. But in case of doubt, the president of the polling station can ask you to prove your identity by any means.

FYI  

The electoral card is not an identification document. It is not mandatory to vote.

European

You can submit one of the following documents:

  • Valid national identity card issued by the competent administration of the State of nationality
  • Valid passport issued by the competent authority of the State of nationality
  • Residence permit (valid)
  • Identity card of local elected official (valid) with photograph, issued by the State representative
  • Vital card with photograph
  • Veteran's card (valid) with photograph, issued by the National Office for War Veterans and Victims
  • Disability card (valid) with photograph or mobility card inclusion (valid) with photograph
  • Identity card of State official with photograph
  • Military identity card or road pass (valid) with photograph, issued by the military authorities
  • Driving license (valid)
  • Hunting permit (valid) with photograph, issued by the National Office of Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS)
  • Receipt for proof of identity (valid), issued in exchange for identity documents in case of judicial review.

Warning  

You must present the original document. A photograph or smartphone download or photocopy is not accepted.

In a municipality of less than 1,000 inhabitants, identity documents are not mandatory. But in case of doubt, the president of the polling station can ask you to prove your identity by any means.

FYI  

The electoral card is not an identification document. It is not mandatory to vote.

Abroad

You can submit one of the following documents:

  • French national identity card (valid or expired)
  • French passport (valid or expired)
  • Official document (valid) issued by a French public administration. It must include your surname, first name, date and place of birth, photograph. It must also identify the administrative authority that issued it to you, the date and place of issue.
  • Card issued when you register in the foreigner's French register and consular registration card. All 2 must be valid.
  • Document (valid) and issued by a member country of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). It must include your surname, first name, date and place of birth, photograph. It must also identify the administrative authority that issued it to you, the date and place of issue.

Warning  

You must present the original document. A photograph or smartphone download or photocopy is not accepted.

The electoral card is not an identification document. It is not mandatory to vote.