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Signature legalization on a document drawn up under private signature (CMS)
Verified 28 October 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You have to legalize your signature and you wonder who you should contact? We tell you what you need to know about the signature legalization, said also Hardware Certification of Signature (CMS).
What applies to you ?
The steps to take vary depending on whether you live in France or abroad.
In France
Step-by-step approach
Signature legalization, also known as signature hardware certification, is used to authenticate your own signature when it is affixed to a act under private signature. The procedure is used to verify that you are the person concerned by the document.
In principle, the procedure concerns only your signature and not the content of the document, unless there is a legal ground for refusal. For example, if you are a sworn translator, legalization is only about your signature, not your foreign language translation.
One private body or a foreign authority may ask you for signature legalization. On the other hand, a French administration cannot require the legalization (or physical certification) of a signature affixed to a document delivered or presented to it.
Warning
Signature legalization (or physical signature certification) should not be confused with legalization of a public act issued by a foreign authority, nor with the legalization or apostille of a public act drawn up by a French authority. These procedures, which concern public acts certify the veracity of the signature of the author of the act, the capacity in which the signatory of the act acted and, if necessary, the identity of the seal or stamp on which that act is affixed.
The approach is free of charge in town hall.
The approach is fee-based if you speak to a notary. The fees are free. However, in Alsace Moselle, the legalization of signatures shall be charged for acts and formalities relating to forced execution real estate ( €18.87 excluding taxes), acts intended for land book ( €18.86 excluding taxes) and separate requests to the land register ( €18.86 excluding taxes).
You must prepare the document to legalize and one proof of identity on which your signature appears.
FYI
You do not have to present proof of address to have your signature legalized. However, the town hall can check the registered address and then ask you to provide proof.
Town Hall
You can contact the town hall of your home (primary or secondary residence).
The legalization of your signature is mandatory in your presence : you must sign at the counter in front of the agent.
If you do not present proof of identity, you must be accompanied by 2 witnesses. They must present proof of identity and proof of address.
Notary
You can have your signature legalized before the notary of your choice.
Who shall I contact
You have to go to a CCI: titleContent to legalize the signature of the head of a company or business school on a act under private signature.
Who shall I contact
A head of a penitentiary may legalize any signature affixed by a person detained in his presence for the management of his private affairs.
Abroad
Step-by-step approach
Signature legalization, also known as signature hardware certification, is used to authenticate your own signature when it is affixed to a act under private signature. The procedure is used to verify that you are the person concerned by the document.
In principle, the procedure concerns only your signature and not the content of the document, unless there is a legal ground for refusal. For example, if you are a sworn translator, legalization is only about your signature, not your foreign language translation.
One private body or a foreign authority may ask you for signature legalization. On the other hand, a French administration cannot require the legalization (or physical certification) of a signature affixed to a document delivered or presented to it.
Warning
Signature legalization (or physical signature certification) should not be confused with legalization of a public act issued by a foreign authority, nor with the legalization or apostille of a public act drawn up by a French authority. These procedures, which concern public acts. attest to the veracity of the signature of the author of the act, the capacity in which the signatory of the act acted and, if necessary, the identity of the seal or stamp on which that act is affixed.
If you are registered in the Register of French nationals established outside France, signature legalization costs €15. This price also applies to your spouse and minor children of foreign nationality.
Otherwise, signature legalization costs €30.
You must prepare the document to legalize and one proof of identity on which your signature appears.
You must contact the consulate or to the embassy.
However, check with the consulate first how is the request made because some consulates do not legalize signatures.
The legalization of your signature is mandatory in your presence : you must sign at the counter in front of the agent.
If you do not present proof of identity, you must be accompanied by 2 witnesses. They must present proof of identity and proof of address.
Who shall I contact
On the same subject
Mayor's power to legalize signatures (Article L2122-30)
Mayor's replacement for signature legalizations (Article R2122-8)
Proof of domicile not required (Article R113-8)
Fee for the legalization of a notary's signature in the departments of Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Moselle (Table 5-1)
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