Emergency passport: temporary passport for an adult

Verified 29 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

A temporary passport may be issued urgently for medical, humanitarian or professional reasons. Emergency issuance is granted on an exceptional basis and is not automatic. We present you the information to know.

In France

A temporary passport may be issued if you are in a emergency situation.

In order for this type of passport to be issued to you, you must justify:

  • Or an urgent displacement for humanitarian or medical reasons (serious illness or death of a family member)
  • Either for professional reasons (unexpected departure cannot be delayed).

Warning  

Emergency issuance is granted on an exceptional basis and has no automatic character.

Île-de-France

In Paris

You can go, without an appointment, to a borough town hall with the necessary documents for your request.

Who shall I contact

In another municipality

The procedure can be done at the prefecture of your choice. However, some prefectures require a visit to the town hall beforehand.

Ask the town hall first.

Who shall I contact
Other region

According to the departments, the request must be made to the prefecture, the sub-prefecture or the town hall. Ask the town hall first.

Who shall I contact

The documents you need to provide depend on the identity documents you already have.

You have to present the documents originals.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You have a valid passport

  • Passport
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €30 (it can be bought online)
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)

You have an expired passport

Expiry date: less than 5 years
  • Passport
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €30 (it can be bought online)
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)
Expiry date: more than 5 years

You don't have a passport

You have a valid identity card
  • Identity card
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €30 (it can be bought online)
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)
You have an expired ID card
Expiry date: less than 5 years
  • Identity card
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €30 (it can be bought online)
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)
Expiry date: more than 5 years
You don't have an ID card

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.

The cost of an emergency passport for an adult is €30 (tax stamp price).

If the application is accepted, the passport can be handed over immediately or take a few days.

If the passport is not manufactured immediately, a receipt is given. It must be presented at the time of withdrawal.

You must pick up the passport at the ticket office and sign it on the spot.

The passport issued is a e-passport.

The old passport must be returned. If it included a visa, it may be retained for the duration of the validity of the visa.

The passport is valid for 1 year.

Abroad

A temporary passport may be issued if you are in a emergency situation.

In order for this type of passport to be issued to you, you must justify:

  • Or an urgent displacement for humanitarian or medical reasons (serious illness or death of a family member)
  • Either for professional reasons (unexpected departure cannot be delayed).

Warning  

Emergency issuance is granted on an exceptional basis and has no automatic character.

You must travel to the French Embassy or Consulate. Find out in advance about the reception modalities.

The documents you need to provide depend on the identity documents you already have.

You have to present the documents originals.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You have a valid passport

  • Passport
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €45
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)

You have an expired passport

Expiry date: less than 5 years
  • Passport
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €45
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)
Expiry date: more than 5 years

You don't have a passport

You have an ID card
The ID card is valid
  • Identity card
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €45
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)
The ID card is out of date
Expiry date: less than 5 years
  • Identity card
  • 1 proof of address
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • Tax stamp of €45
  • Any document justifying the urgency of the displacement and requested by the prefecture (for example, death certificate, hospitalization certificate)
Expiry date: more than 5 years
You don't have an ID card

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.

The cost of an emergency passport for an adult abroad is €45 (tax stamp price).

You can pay in cash. Some consulates also accept payment by credit card, check or bank transfer. Visit the consulate's website to find out how to pay.

If the application is accepted, the passport can be handed over immediately or take a few days.

If the passport is not manufactured immediately, a receipt is given. It must be presented at the time of withdrawal.

You must pick up the passport at the ticket office and sign it on the spot.

The passport issued is a e-passport.

The old passport must be returned. If it included a visa, it may be retained for the duration of the validity of the visa.

Your passport is valid for 1 year.