Shelf life of papers
Verified 11 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Additional cases ?
How long do I have to keep the paperwork? We tell you the rules to know for the main documents of everyday life: insurance, bank, family, taxes, housing, work, vehicle, health...
Warning
The durations indicated are minimum durations during which it is prudent to keep the documents.
These are the time periods during which you may exercise a right. For example, ask for a refund. It may also be the time periods during which you may be asked for something. For example, pay a fine.
You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular for bring evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases. Thus, deadlines may be extended if the prescription is suspended or interrupted. For example, some delays are suspended as long as a person is a minor and start to run only from the age of majority. Documents can also serve as evidence to support very different actions.
One simulator allows you to quickly check the minimum retention time of a document. Some useful clarifications are indicated in the thematic topics below.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| Date of document + 2 years | |
Contract | Contract duration + 2 years | |
Automotive Information Record | Permanent | The statement of information is issued by your insurer at the end of the contract or on request The statement shows the reduction/increase coefficient of your insurance premium (bonus-malus) |
10 years | This period applies as soon as you become aware of the contract as a beneficiary of life insurance | |
Bodily injury | 10 years |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
PV for flat-rate fine | 3 years | You do not owe anything if the Treasury has done nothing to obtain payment of the fine 3 years after its notification |
Invoice: purchase, repair… | Shelf life of the vehicle | + 2 years in case of resale taking into account the guarantee of hidden defects |
Driver's license examination certificate | 4 months | + until receipt of the permit |
Certificate of transfer of the vehicle | Shelf life of the vehicle | It may be useful for the buyer to keep this certificate as long as he keeps the vehicle, in case of dispute with the former owner. |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
Check to be cashed | 1 year and 8 days | After this period, the check can no longer be cashed but the debt remains due |
Contract of home loan and consumer credit + supporting documents | 2 years from last maturity | |
File concerning an account (current account, PEL, livret A...) Example: account opening agreement | 5 years from the closing of the account | |
5 years from surgery | A fraudulent debit must be contested within a maximum period of 13 months | |
Credit card ticket: payment and withdrawal | Until receipt of the account statement showing the corresponding balance | A fraudulent debit may be contested within a maximum period of 13 months |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
Certificate of guarantee | Until the end of the warranty | |
Invoice for a household appliance (e.g. washing machine, television) | Until the end of the warranty | It may be useful to keep the invoice as long as you have the appliance at home Indeed, in case of theft or loss, the invoice serves as proof if you want to claim compensation from your insurer |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
Deed of civil status —Full copy and extract | Permanent | Some procedures require a recent civil status certificate |
Notice of payment of family allowances | 5 years | You have 2 years to act if you have not received the right amount The Caf: titleContent also has 2 years to be reimbursed an overpayment This period increases to 5 years in case of fraud on your part |
Divorce judgment, adoption judgment | Permanent | In case of loss, you can request a copy from the court |
Act of recognition of a child | Permanent | The town hall can issue you a copy |
Marriage contract: documents relating to property brought or acquired at the time of marriage by donation or bequests | Permanent | In case of loss of the marriage contract, you must contact the notary who established it |
Convention of Civil partnerships: titleContent | Permanent | In case of loss, a notary can provide a copy, but not the court or the town hall |
Family booklet | Permanent | In case of loss, one duplicate can be obtained at the town hall |
Diploma | Permanent | In case of loss, you can request a proof of passing the exam |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years | Time to dispute an invoice Your supplier has 2 years to claim a payment |
Water bill | 5 years | Time to dispute an invoice. To claim a payment, your supplier has: |
| 1 year | |
Proof of return of material (box) | 2 years from restitution | |
Small Work Invoice | 2 years | For example, windows |
Invoice related to major works |
| In the event of the sale of a property, invoices for construction, reconstruction, expansion or improvement work are taken into account for the calculation of the real estate capital gain, except in cases of exemption. |
Sweep Certificate | 1 year | |
Annual maintenance certificate of a boiler | 2 years | |
10 years if the EPD has been completed since the 1ster July 2021 | ||
Deed of sale (also called title deed) | Permanent | If necessary, you can request a copy from the notary holder of the minute |
| 5 years | |
| Rental duration + 3 years | The time limit is the same for an empty or furnished dwelling |
Mail from rent review | Rental duration + 1 year | This period applies to a dwelling rented as a principal residence empty or furnished |
Inventory of furniture for furnished rentals | Rental duration + 3 years | |
Proof of payment of personalized housing assistance (APL) | 2 years |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years from the year following the taxation year This period corresponds to right to take over administration | Example: 2023 declaration to be kept until end 2026 |
Local tax notices: housing tax on second homes, property tax | 1 year This period corresponds to right to take over administration | 3 years in case of relief, exemption or abatement |
Warning
the periods indicated are minimum periods during which the tax authority has a right of take-back. Of course, you can keep your tax returns and tax returns longer. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| Until the liquidation of retirement | You have 3 years to claim a salary backlog Proof of daily allowances must be kept for at least 2 years, but it is prudent to keep it until the retirement is liquidated It may be useful to keep the pay slips after retirement for the calculation of the pension in case of occupational illness occurring to a retiree |
2 years from the date of registration as a jobseeker | This document may be useful in calculating your pension entitlements | |
3 years | The time limit for contesting the amounts indicated on the balance of any account depends on your signature or the absence of your receipt signature | |
Proof of payment of unemployment benefits | 3 years | The duration of 3 years corresponds to the recovery period in case of overpayment noted by France Travail This time limit increases to 10 years in case of fraud or false declaration This document may be useful in calculating your pension entitlements |
Pension Payment Form Pension voucher | Permanent | Useful document for calculating your spousal pension entitlements |
Expense reports | 3 years | The period during which the tax authority can check you if you use the deduction of actual costs |
Disability card of a child | Until retirement is wound up | Assuming the burden of a disabled child allows to receive a mark-up You must therefore keep all the supporting documents |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
Military booklet | Permanent | |
Certification of services performed or signaling status of services | Permanent | The certificate proves that the military or similar services have been performed Pension or social security organizations can claim it from you |
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
Employee's pay slip: double paper or electronic | 5 years | |
Employment contract of the employee | 5 years from the end of the employment contract | |
Document on social security contributions | 3 years | In the event of control by the tax authorities |
Accounting for employee hours | 3 years | In case of dispute |
Declaration of - with the primary health insurance fund | 5 years | |
Tax certificate | 3 years This period corresponds to right to take over administration | Proof to be produced to benefit from the tax credit for the employment of an employee at home |
3 years | The time limit for contesting the amounts indicated on the balance of any account depends on your signature or the absence of your receipt signature |
If you have an account on the sites of Cesu or Urssaf Service Pajemploi, some documents are made available to you in your personal area: notice of deduction, tax summary of the salaries of the employee... Follow the recommendations of these sites for the preservation of these documents and their computer backup.
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
Document Type | Minimum shelf life | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
Sickness and maternity insurance reimbursement statement | 2 years | Overpayment recovery time The time limit is 5 years in case of fraud or false declaration |
| Variable by organization | Refer to the deadlines provided in the contract |
Invoice from a public hospital | 4 years | |
Invoice from a private health facility | 2 years | |
1 year (except for glasses and hearing aids) |
| |
Proof of payment of daily allowances | Up to liquidation of pension rights | |
| Permanent | |
| Permanent | Documents useful in case of relapse or worsening of the state of health |
Warning
The periods indicated are minimum periods during which it is prudent to keep the documents. You can of course keep your documents longer, in particular to provide evidence before the courts. Indeed, the deadlines indicated do not take into account all cases.
if you have an account on the Cesu or Urssaf Pajemploi Service sites, some documents are available in your personal area: notice of deduction, tax summary of the employee's salaries... Follow the recommendations of these sites for the preservation of these documents and their computer backup.
The time limits for the retention of papers continue to apply after death of the deceased.
Indeed, some documents can prove debts or receivables transmitted to rights holders at the time of succession.
Some social benefits paid after the beneficiary's death may be recovered with the rights holders for 5 years from death.
General: time limit for action by a trader for a good or service supplied to a consumer
General: ordinary time limit for a personal action, applicable between individuals in particular
General: prescription of obligations between a consumer and a merchant (invoice)
Insurance - personal injury
Vehicle - prescription of the penalty for a contravention (article 133-4)
Vehicle - hidden defects
Vehicle - Driver's License Examination Certificate
Bank - payment by check
Bank - prescription for payment by check
Bank - deadlines in case of unauthorized payment transaction
Bank - loan agreement
Family - time limit for taking back unduly received family allowances
Family - Time limit for the beneficiary to act (Article L553-1), time limit for taking back in the event of fraud (Article L553-2)
Housing - water bill from a public supplier
Accommodation - telephone and internet bill
Housing - work-related invoices: items 1792 to 1792-4-1
Housing - sweeping
Housing - boiler
Housing - limitation period for personal actions relating to the condominium
Housing - rental contract, inventory, rent receipt
Housing - time limit for the action for the payment of the APL
Income tax
Taxes - recovery period for income tax (Article L169)
Taxes - recovery time for local taxes
Work - time for action for payment of salary
Work - received for balance of any account
Work - deadlines for unemployment benefits
Work - limitation period for the claim for payment of allowances (Article 44)
Individual employer - pay slip (article L3243-4)
Individual employer - document relating to social security contributions (Article L244-3)
Individual employer - accounting of employee hours
Individual employer - declaration of accidents at work (article D4711-3)
Health - reimbursement of health and maternity insurance
Health - prescription
Health - health record
Health - prescription glasses: article D4362-12
Health - bill for a public hospital (article L6145-9)
Health - invoice from a private health institution (article L160-11)
Simulator
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr