How to obtain a copy of a civil court decision (judgment, judgment)?
Verified 14 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice
Additional cases ?
It is possible to obtain a copy of a court decision. You can request it at graft of the court that issued the decision. We explain how to do it.
The rules depend on your situation (party to the trial, heir, entitled to a deceased party, third party):
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You are a party to the lawsuit, heir or successor in title to a party
Any party to the proceedings, heir or successor in title to a deceased party, may request the issuance of a copy of the decision rendered.
If you were represented by lawyerHowever, he has received a copy of the decision, which he can share with you.
In some cases, only one extract including essential information can be delivered to you (for example in case of divorce, if you are not one of the ex-spouses).
You're a third party at trial
If you are one-third at trial, you can ask only, the simple copy of a judgment that has been publicly pronounced.
You cannot obtain a copy of a decision in the following cases:
- Community Liquidation
- Adoption, parentage, educational assistance
- Change of surnames and first names
- Change of matrimonial regime
- Supervision and curatorship.
Issuance of a simple copy or an enforceable copy of the decision shall be in accordance with certain criteria.
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You are a party to the lawsuit, heir or successor in title to a party
You can ask the registry of the competent court, to issue you a simple copy or a enforceable copy of the decision.
Simple Copy
The copy of the decision can be used as a evidence in the context of an administrative procedure for example.
Example :
A copy of an adoption judgment may be useful in the case of succession. A copy of a divorce judgment may be useful in building a retirement record.
Enforceable Copy
Each of the parties at trial may request a enforceable copy of the decision.
If you are represented by a lawyer, this copy is sent to him by the registry.
The enforceable copy allows to enforce the decision the judge, by a commissioner of justice in the absence of voluntary execution of the party concerned.
If there is a legitimate reason (for example, loss or destruction of the copy issued to you), a 2e enforceable copy may be delivered to you. You must make a request to the President of the court that issued the decision.
You're a third party at trial
If you are one third party at trial, you can only request a simple copy of a decision spoken publicly.
In some cases, elements of the decision may be hidden, because their disclosure could harm the security or privacy of the parties or their entourage.
The approach differs depending on the situation:
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Decision rendered by a court, a court of appeal or the Court of Cassation
The request for a copy of the decision must be sent to graft of the court that made it.
The request can be made using the cerfa form n°11808 or on free paper, sent by letter or registered mail.
Request for a copy of a court decision in civil, social or commercial matters
Decision rendered more than 30 years ago
After 30 years, the decisions are transmitted to the departmental archives, to whom you must send your request for a copy.
Find an archive service that welcomes the public
FYI
The decisions of over 75 years old are communicable to any person. Those concerning minors are communicable after 100 years. In case of death of the parties, that time limit shall be 25 years from the death of the last party.
In case of refusal or if the Registry does not respond to the request in the 2 months, you may refer the matter to the president of the court to which the application was made.
Who shall I contact
The lawyer is not mandatory.
The President shall make his decision by a prescription motivated.
You can do appeal of order of the president in 15 days.
FYI
If the President has overlooked certain elements, it is possible to appeal against this decision. The lawyer is mandatory.
Issuance of a copy is free, except for decisions rendered by the commercial court.
FYI
The cost of a copy of a commercial court decision is €4.03 TTC if the shipment is made by post. In the case of electronic transmission, the cost is €4.71TTC.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Administrative information by phone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
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- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the Department of Justice.
Request for enforceable copy
Request for a copy of an old judgment
Request for a copy of a civil judgment
Issuance of a copy of a criminal judgment
Issuance of a copy of a public judgment
Issuance of a public judgment to a third party
Issuance of an extract of judgment
Tariff copy criminal decisions
Copy to third parties
Obfuscation of decisions (art L 111-13)