Renewal of the identity card of an adult

Verified 29 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

You are major and the validity date of your national identity card is soon outdated or is it already? You have an old-fashioned ID card and you want to get a card at new format ? The request for renewal of the identity card is free of charge, provided that the old card can be presented. We present you the steps in the process.

In France

Step-by-step approach

The place of the request does not depend on your home: you can go in any town hall, provided that it is equipped with a recording station.

The list of equipped town halls can be consulted online:

Warning  

Many town halls require that the file be filed only by appointment.

THEANTS: titleContent make available a search engine enabling find an appointment in an equipped town hall:

Find an appointment for an ID card request

Before you move, you can prepare the approach by making a online pre-applicationBut it's not an obligation.

Pre-application saves you time when submitting the application.

Warning: if you have an old-fashioned identity card and wish to obtain a card at new format, the pre-application is mandatory.

Pre-application for an identity card renewal

You have to present the documents originals.

The documents to be provided depend on the expiry date of your current identity card:

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The card is valid

You must submit the following documents:

  • Your identity card
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • 1 proof of domicile less than 1 year old
  • If you have made a pre-application, the pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).

The ID card has been expired for less than 5 years

You must submit the following documents:

  • Your identity card
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • 1 proof of domicile less than 1 year old
  • If you have made a pre-application: pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).

The ID card has been expired for more than 5 years

You have a valid passport

You must submit the following documents:

  • Your passport
  • Your identity card
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • 1 proof of domicile less than 1 year old
  • If you have made a pre-application: pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
You have a passport that has expired
Your passport has been expired for less than 5 years

You must submit the following documents:

  • Your passport
  • Your identity card
  • 1 photo ID less than 6 months and conforms to standards
  • 1 proof of domicile less than 1 year old
  • If you have made a pre-application: pre-application number and/or QR code obtained at the end of the process (it is advisable to print the pre-application summary).
Your passport has been expired for more than 5 years

You must submit the following documents:

You don't have a passport

You must submit the following documents:

FYI  

To use a usage name that is not yet on an identity document, other documents must be provided depending on the nature of that second name: name of spouse or name of other parent.

Your presence is essential to proceed with fingerprinting.

You must have with you all necessary documents.

If you have not made a pre-application, you will need to fill in the form which will be handed to you at the counter. It must be filled in black ink and in capital letters.

The information to be indicated on the form is as follows:

  • Last name: this is the name that appears on the birth certificate (also called birth name or surname)
  • Second name: this is the name used in everyday life (common name). Can be a double name (name of his parents or name of the two spouses) or a simple name (name of the person you are married to). If you only use your last name, this section should be left blank.
  • First name(s)
  • Size
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth (municipality + department + country)
  • Address
  • Mobile phone number (if you want to be informed by SMS of the manufacture of the identity document)
  • Eye color (only for passport)
  • Last name and first names of parents
  • Date and place of birth of parents.

The identity card is not manufactured on site and therefore cannot be issued immediately.

The manufacturing time depends on the location and period of the request. It takes several weeks and, as the summer holidays approach, delays can extend.

You can track your request on the website of theANTS: titleContent :

Track your ID card request

If you entered a mobile phone number when you applied, you will receive an SMS when your ID card is available.

You must remove the card personally at the place where the dossier was lodged.

It must be removed within 3 months. After this time, it will be destroyed.

Warning  

You must return the old card.

The identity card is in the form of a credit card.

It is valid for 10 years.

Abroad

Step-by-step approach

You can apply for renewal the year preceding the expiry date of your current identity card.

Warning  

If you have an old ID card that is still valid, you cannot apply to renew it to obtain a new format card.

You have to move consulate or embassy. But beware, the service may require that the file be filed only by appointment. You must inquire either on the website of the consulate or embassy, or by phone.

You have to present the documents originals.

The documents to be provided depend on the expiry date of your current identity card:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

The card is valid

You must submit the following documents:

The ID card has been expired for less than 5 years

You must submit the following documents:

The ID card has been expired for more than 5 years

You have a valid passport

You must submit the following documents:

You have a passport whose validity date has expired
Your passport has been expired for less than 5 years

You must submit the following documents:

Your passport has been expired for more than 5 years

You must submit the following documents:

You don't have a passport

You must submit the following documents:

FYI  

To use a usage name that is not yet on an identity document, other documents must be provided depending on the nature of that second name: name of spouse or name of other parent.

Your presence is essential to proceed with fingerprinting.

You must have all the necessary documents.

If you wish to collect the identity card from a authorized honorary consul or a head of diplomatic or consular post, this must be indicated at the counter when the application is submitted.

The identity card is not manufactured on site and is therefore not issued immediately.

Manufacturing times depend on the location and period of the request.

It is possible to follow the progress of the application on the website of theANTS: titleContent :

Track your ID card request

If a mobile phone number has been entered during the request, an SMS will be sent when the identity card is available.

You must pick up your identity card either at the place of filing the file, or from a authorized honorary consul or a head of diplomatic or consular post.

It must be withdrawn within 3 months. After this time, the new card is destroyed.

You must return the old card.

The identity card is in the form of a credit card.

It is valid for 10 years.

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