Application for an identity card or passport for a minor: how to prove parental authority?

Verified 05 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

An application for an identity card or passport for a minor must be filed by a person who practices parental authority.

The process varies if the request is made by one of the parents or by another person:

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Requested by one of the parents

Each parent is presumed to exercise parental authority regardless of his or her family situation. But the rules vary depending on whether the parents live together, separately or whether the minor has only one parent.

The minor's parents live together

We have to check if the civil status of the place of birth is dematerialized.

If this is the case, it is not necessary to provide the birth certificate of the child.

Otherwise, you have to provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) from less than 3 months.

The applicant parent must also present an identity document (identity card or passport).

If he is not married to the mother, the father must have recognized the child before the age of one in order to have parental authority.

FYI  

There is no need to provide the family record book, nor authorization from the other parent.

The minor's parents are separated

We have to check if the civil status of the place of birth is dematerialized.

If this is the case, it is not necessary to provide the birth certificate of the child.

Otherwise, you have to provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) from less than 3 months.

The applicant parent must also present an identity document (identity card or passport).

If he was not married to the mother, the father must have recognized the child before the age of one to have parental authority.

Divorce or separation orders may be sought only for enter the 2 addresses in the case of an alternate residence.

FYI  

Neither the family record book nor the authorization of the other parent must be requested at the counter.

The minor has only one parent

We have to check if the civil status of the place of birth is dematerialized.

If this is the case, it is not necessary to provide the birth certificate of the child.

Otherwise, you have to provide a birth certificate (full copy or extract with filiation) from less than 3 months.

The applicant parent must also present an identity document (identity card or passport).

Request by another person

Parental authority may be delegated to a third party: child welfare (ASE) or guardian.

Child welfare, ASE

In principle, parental authority is retained by one or both parents.

However, in the following cases, parental authority may be exercised by thechild welfare (ASE) :

  • Parents are unreachable
  • Parents refuse to apply for an identity document.

In such situations, the representative of ASE should provide the following documents:

  • Copy of the judgment (or a certificate) proving that the child is entrusted by judgment of educational assistance
  • Minutes of parents' incapacity, drawn up by the departmental council - ASE
  • Document proving his professional quality (professional card, attestation of the departmental council)
  • Copy of ID (ID card or passport).
Guardian

If the minor is placed under guardianship, the guardian exercising parental authority must provide the following documents:

  • Proof of delegation of parental authority (judgment of the family court judge)
  • Copy of ID (ID card or passport).