Certified copy of a document issued by a French administration

Verified 28 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You have a procedure to do and you wonder if a certified copy of the documents to be provided is necessary or if a simple copy is enough? We tell you what you need to know.

The rules for certified copies of the original of a document issued by a French administration vary depending on whether you make a approach to a french or foreign administration.

With a French administration

The rules vary depending on the type of document.

General case

One administration may not require, for the study of your file, a certified copy of the original of a document issued by another French administration. One simple legible photocopy of the original document must be accepted. For example, a university may ask you for a copy of your Baccalaureate degree but it cannot require that this copy be certified as true to the original.

However, in case of doubt about the validity of the photocopy, the department reviewing your application may ask you to present the original of the document. In this case, you will receive a registered letter with AR: titleContent which explains why you need to present the original document. Your application is suspended (interrupted) until you submit the original document.

Judicial or authentic act

Certain copies or amplifications may only be issued by administrative or judicial authorities or legal professionals.

For obtain a copy of a judgment, talk to your lawyer or the court office that made the decision.

For obtain a copy of an authentic instrument drawn up by a notary, contact in writing the notary who drew up the deed.

Warning  

You risk criminal sanctions in the event of fraud or attempted fraud (forgery and forgery, scam…)

With a foreign administration

A foreign administration may require, for the study of your file, a certified copy to the original of a document issued by a french administration. For example, a foreign university may ask you to provide a certified copy of your original French degree.

The approach varies depending on whether you are in France or abroad.

In France

You can go to a town hall, a prefecture or a notary.

Before doing the step, check if the procedure is mandatory on site (with possible appointment) or if it can be done by mail. Specify that the certified copy is requested by a foreign administration.

Who shall I contact
Abroad

You can contact a French embassy or consulate abroad.

Before doing the step, check if the procedure is mandatory on site (with possible appointment) or if it can be done by mail. Specify that the certified copy is requested by a foreign administration.

Fees may be charged.

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