Stateless person: status, residence permit, travel document

Verified 01 May 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you are a foreigner without nationality, you can apply for stateless status at the Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides (Ofpra). If your application is accepted, you will receive a residence card. We present you the information to know.

Stateless status concerns only the person to whom no country grants nationality.

Statelessness can result from one of the following situations:

  • Contradictions between several nationality laws
  • Absence or failure of civil registration systems in some countries
  • Transfers of sovereignty
  • Forfeit of nationality
  • Strict Application of blood and soil laws in some countries.

Submission of the application

You must submit your written request in French to Ofpra.

This request shall include the following information:

  • Name(s)
  • First name(s)
  • Address of the applicant
  • Text that sets out the reasons for your request.

Ofpra registers it and sends you a registration form and certificate.

You must return this completed and signed form to Ofpra by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt and attach:

  • 2 recent identity photos
  • Your travel document, documents concerning your marital status, a copy of your valid residence document (if you have these documents).
Who shall I contact

  • On site

    French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)

    201 Carnot Street

    94136 Fontenay sous Bois Cedex

    Reception of the public on summons

    By phone

    01 58 68 10 10

    On the internet

    https://www.ofpra.gouv.fr/dossier/informations-utiles/contacter-lofpra

Examination of the application

You can be called for an interview at Ofpra.

You are then heard in the language of your choice.

Ofpra may authorize you to appear accompanied by either a lawyer or a representative of an association.

Ofpra may also collect information from the consular representations of the various countries of which you may be a national.

Recognition as stateless

If you are recognized as stateless, you are placed under the administrative and legal protection of Ofpra.

Ofpra will issue you with civil status documents (birth, marriage, etc.) if it cannot obtain them from the country in which the events of its life occurred.

FYI  

The silence of Ofpra on an application for statelessness does not constitute a decision on the application.

If your application for statelessness status is refused by Ofpra, you can challenge the decision before the administrative court of your place of residence. The National Court of Asylum (CNDA) does not have jurisdiction over statelessness claims.

This appeal must be filed within 2 months of the notification of the refusal.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Litigation is not suspensive, that is, you can be the subject of a obligation to leave France (OQTF) and be removed before the judge has made a decision.

The multi-annual residence card beneficiary of stateless person status authorizes you to stay in France.

Members of your family can benefit from the same card:

  • Your spouse, common-law partner or civil union partner
  • Your children within one year of their 18th birthday or between the ages of 16 and 18 who declare that they want to work.

Please note

The card issued to members of your family is marked family member of a stateless person.

Documents to be provided

The documents vary depending on whether you apply for the residence card for yourself or for your family:

Stateless
  • Ofpra's decision granting you stateless status
  • Certificate of civil status (sent by Ofpra to the prefecture)
  • 3 photos
  • If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
  • If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old (or declaration of domicile)
  • Statement on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it
Family of stateless persons
  • Full copy of the birth certificate containing the most recent information, accompanied if necessary by the court decision ordering its transcription
  • Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
    • Or consular certificate with photo
    • Or photo ID
    • Or consular card with photo
    • Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
  • Ofpra decision granting stateless status to spouse, partner, cohabiting partner or child
  • 3 photos
    • If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
    • If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old (or declaration of domicile)
  • Statement on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it
  • Proof of family relationship with the stateless person: proof of marriage (full copy of the marriage certificate or family record book) or proof of filiation for children (full copy of the birth certificate or family record book for legitimate children, statement made by the stateless person to the registrar acknowledging his paternity or natural maternity for natural children, adoption decision for adopted children)
  • If you have arrived in France for family reunification: medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent (at the latest at the time of delivery of the title)

If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt pending the response of the prefecture.

Submission of the application

You must submit your card application to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home (find out more on the prefecture's website).

Who shall I contact

Warning  

It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.

If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt pending the response of the prefecture.

Cost of residence permit

You have to settle €50 (stamp duty) by tax stamps.

Proof of payment of the stamp duty is requested when the card is handed over.

Surrender of the residence permit

The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.

Duration of validity of the residence permit

The residence card is valid 4 years maximum.

Renewal of the residence permit

After 4 years of stay in France with the map beneficiary of stateless person status, you can request a resident card, within 2 months before the expiry date of your residence card.

Temporary or multi-year residence card beneficiary of stateless person status or family member of a stateless person and the resident card entitles you to work in France.

You can practice the profession of your choice (as an employee or self-employed).

So you don't need a work permit.

If you wish to travel abroad, you can apply for a biometric stateless travel document.

Documents to be provided

The documents to be provided are different if the travel document concerns an adult or a minor:

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The travel document concerns a major

The following documents must in particular be presented:

  • ​Valid residence card, original and photocopy
  • Proof of residence of less than 3 months in your name or certificate of accommodation and copy of the identity document of the host
  • Proof that you are stateless (e.g.Ofpra: titleContent granting stateless status)
  • In case of renewal request, old travel document (original and photocopy)

The travel document concerns a minor

The following documents must in particular be presented:

  • Full copy of the birth certificate with filiation or family record book drawn up by theOfpra: titleContent
  • Proof of parental authority:
    • Extract of marriage certificate
    • Divorce judgment
    • Court decision on parental authority
    • Separation order
    • Copy of the court decision delegating parental authority
  • Proof of domicile of less than 6 months in the name of the minor if the address is different from that of the applicant

Duration and cost

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You have a multi-year residence card

The biometric travel document is valid 4 years.

It costs €40.

You have a resident card

The biometric travel document is valid 5 years.

It costs €45.

Statelessness ceases if you acquire a nationality or reinstate your original nationality.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)

    On site

    French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)

    201 Carnot Street

    94136 Fontenay sous Bois Cedex

    Reception of the public on summons

    By phone

    01 58 68 10 10

    On the internet

    https://www.ofpra.gouv.fr/dossier/informations-utiles/contacter-lofpra