Education in the family
Verified 30 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Your child is between 3 and 16 years old? He is then subject to the obligation of instruction. It must be enrolled in a school (public or private). The child may also, subject to conditions, receive this education in the family. This instruction mode is sometimes called school at home. You must request permission from the Dasen: titleContent of your department of residence. The grounds on which you can obtain this authorization are limited. We present you the information to know.
Age of the child
If your child is of school age and subject to the obligation to conduct an investigation, that is to say, if he is between 3 and 16 years old, he can, under conditions, receive education in the family.
Place of residence of the child
A child residing in France may receive education in the family, regardless of nationality.
However, a French child living abroad is not affected.
Warning
Family education must include only children from one family.
You may be allowed to educate your child in the family for any of the following reasons:
- Health status of the child
- Disability of the child
- Practice of intensive sports or artistic activities of the child
- Family homelessness in France
- Geographical distance from any public school
- Existence of a child-specific situation motivating the educational project
You must request permission from the Dasen: titleContent your department of residence so that your child is educated in the family.
The procedure differs depending on the reason for your request.
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Health status of the child
What are the documents to be provided?
You must submit the following authorization application form to Dasen:
Application for authorization of family education
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child (if you do not instruct the child yourself).
- Proof of address
- Medical certificate of less than one year in closed cover attesting to the pathology of the child
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
When to submit your request?
You must submit your request to the Dasen between 1er March and May 31 included before the start of the school year.
Who shall I contact
You can send it outside this period if the reasons for your request appeared after May 31 before the start of the school year. In that case, you have to justify it.
FYI
The application must be renewed every year unless the authorization has been granted for more than 1 year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In the event of missing information, he may ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notified then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request will be accepted.
In principle, you are granted permission for the duration of the school year. However, it can be granted for a maximum of 3 school years.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at Cned: titleContent (in a restricted class).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In case of refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
For this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a committee chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee meets within a maximum of 1 month after receiving your appeal.
It notifies you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can refer the matter to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Child with a disability
What are the documents to be provided?
You must transmit to Dasen: titleContent the following authorization application form:
Application for authorization of family education
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child (if you do not instruct the child yourself).
- Proof of address
- Medical certificate (cerfa no. 15695) or the decisions of the CDAPH: titleContent concerning the education of the child
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
When to submit your request?
You must send your request to Dasen: titleContent between 1er March and May 31 included before the start of the school year.
Who shall I contact
You can send it outside this period if the reasons for your request appeared after May 31 before the start of the school year. In that case, you have to justify it.
FYI
The application must be renewed every year unless the authorization has been granted for more than 1 year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In the event of missing information, they may ask you to complete your file within a specific time frame. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notified then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request will be accepted.
In principle, you are granted permission for the duration of the school year. However, it can be granted for a maximum of 3 school years.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at Cned: titleContent (in a restricted class).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In case of refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
For this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a committee chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee meets within a maximum of 1 month after receiving your appeal.
It notifies you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can refer the matter to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Practicing intensive sports or artistic activities
What are the documents to be provided?
You must transmit to Dasen: titleContent the following authorization application form:
Application for authorization of family education
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child (if you do not instruct the child yourself).
- Proof of address
- Certificate of registration with a sports or artistic organization
- Presentation of the organization of the child's time, his commitments and constraints proving that he cannot attend a public or private school
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
When to submit your request?
You must submit your request to the Dasen: titleContent between 1er March and May 31 included before the start of the school year.
Who shall I contact
FYI
the application for authorization must be renewed every year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In the event of missing information, they may ask you to complete your file within a specific time frame. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notified then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request will be accepted.
Authorization is granted for one school year.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at Cned: titleContent (in a restricted class).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In case of refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
For this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a committee chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee meets within a maximum of 1 month after receiving your appeal.
It notifies you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can refer the matter to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Homeless family in France
What are the documents to be provided?
You must transmit to Dasen: titleContent the following authorization application form:
Application for authorization of family education
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child (if you do not instruct the child yourself).
- Proof of address
- Any relevant documents justifying the inability of the child to attend a public or private school because of homelessness
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
When to submit your request?
You must submit your request to the Dasen: titleContent between 1er March and May 31 included before the start of the school year.
Who shall I contact
FYI
the application for authorization must be renewed every year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In the event of missing information, they may ask you to complete your file within a specific time frame. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notified then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request will be accepted.
Authorization is granted for one school year.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at Cned: titleContent (in a restricted class).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In case of refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
For this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a committee chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee meets within a maximum of 1 month after receiving your appeal.
It notifies you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can refer the matter to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Geographical distance from any public school
What are the documents to be provided?
You must transmit to Dasen: titleContent the following authorization application form:
Application for authorization of family education
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child (if you do not instruct the child yourself).
- Proof of address
- Any useful documents justifying this geographical distance
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
When to submit your request?
You must submit your request to the Dasen: titleContent between 1er March and May 31 includeds before the start of the school year.
Who shall I contact
You can send it outside this period if the reasons for your request appeared after May 31 before the start of the school year. In that case, you have to justify it.
FYI
The application for authorization must be renewed every year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In the event of missing information, he may ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notified then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request will be accepted.
Authorization is granted for one school year.
This authorization is a favorable opinion if you wish to register your child for free at Cned: titleContent (in a restricted class).
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In case of refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
For this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a committee chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee meets within a maximum of 1 month after receiving your appeal.
It notifies you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can refer the matter to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Existence of a child-specific situation motivating the educational project
What are the documents to be provided?
You must transmit to Dasen: titleContent the following authorization application form:
Application for authorization of family education
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child (if you do not instruct the child yourself).
- Proof of address
- Written presentation of the educational project setting out in detail the specific situation of the child motivating the family education project. This presentation should include the essential elements of teaching and pedagogy adapted to the child's learning abilities and pace. You must therefore describe the approach and the pedagogical methods implemented to enable him to acquire the knowledge and skills of the common foundation. You must also indicate the educational resources and materials used. The organization of the child's time (pace and duration of activities) should also be specified. If a distance learning organization is involved in the child's learning, you must also describe the content of their contribution
- Any useful document justifying the availability of the person or persons responsible for the child's education
- Copy of the baccalaureate diploma or equivalent of the person responsible for educating the child. Or a foreigners degree or diploma comparable to a level 4 diploma from national framework for professional qualifications.
- Declaration on the honor of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child to provide such instruction mainly in French
Please note
In some academies, you can apply online. Find out more on your academy's website.
When to submit your request?
You must submit your request to the Dasen: titleContent between 1er March and May 31 included before the start of the school year.
Who shall I contact
FYI
the application for authorization must be renewed every year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In the event of missing information, he may ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notified then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request will be accepted.
Authorization is granted for one school year.
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In case of refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
For this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a committee chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee meets within a maximum of 1 month after receiving your appeal.
It notifies you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can refer the matter to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
Threat to the physical or moral integrity of the child
You must first inform the principal of your child's school that you want to educate him or her in the family.
The director informs you of the solutions that can be made to your child's situation. If, after this consultation, you decide to make a request for education in the family, the director gives you a written opinion on your project.
What are the documents to be provided?
You must transmit to Dasen: titleContent the following authorization application form:
Application for authorization of family education
You must also provide the Dasen with the following:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your child's identity
- Proof of identity of the person or persons responsible for instructing the child (if you do not instruct the child yourself).
- Proof of address
- Advice from the Warden on the Family Instruction Project
- Any document proving that the physical or moral integrity of the child is threatened
- Supporting documents relating to one of the authorized grounds for education in the family for which you are applying
When to submit your request?
You can submit your request to the Dasen: titleContent at any time of the year.
Decision of the Dasen
The Dasen acknowledges receipt of your request.
In the event of missing information, he may ask you to complete your file within a specific time. This period may not exceed 15 days.
The Dasen you notified then its decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete file. If no reply is received within this period, your request will be accepted.
Authorization is granted for one school year.
In case of refusal of the Dasen
In case of refusal, you can challenge the decision within 15 days of its notification.
For this, you need to make a compulsory prior administrative appeal to a committee chaired by the rector of the academy.
The committee meets within a maximum of 1 month after receiving your appeal.
It notifies you of its decision within 5 working days.
If the commission confirms the refusal, you can refer the matter to the administrative judge.
Who shall I contact
The mayor must conduct an investigation into the educated child in his family, from the 1stre year.
This survey is repeated every 2 years, until the child turns 16.
The purpose of the investigation is to check the reality of the reason you stated for obtaining authorization for family education
The investigation must also determine whether education in the family is compatible with the child's state of health and the family's living conditions.
At the time of the check-up, you must provide a certificate of medical follow-up of your child.
Unfolding
The Dasen: titleContent verifies that the child is receiving an education and is acquiring knowledge.
It also ensures the progress of the child. The objective is to check that the child controls all the requirements of the common base when he was 16.
An academy inspector performs the individual check-up of the child at least once a year. The inspector may be assisted by a school psychologist. This check shall be carried out from the third month following the issue of the authorization for family education.
The inspection may take place without you being informed in advance.
The inspector checks the knowledge and skills acquired by the child during an interview with you. You must specify on this occasion the approach and the pedagogical methods that you implement.
The child then performs exercises (written or oral) adapted to his age and health. This allows the inspector to determine whether his or her knowledge and skills are sufficient, particularly at the end of each cycle of instruction.
Cycle | Class concerned |
|---|---|
First learning | Kindergarten (small, medium and large section) |
Fundamental Learning | CP - CE1 - CE2 |
Consolidation | CM1 - CM2 - 6e |
Deepening | 5e - 4e - 3e |
Determination | 2from |
Terminal | 1re - Terminal |
Results
The results of the inspection are communicated to you within a maximum period of 3 months.
If the inspector considers the results of the inspection to be insufficient, a second inspection is planned within a sufficient period (at least 1 month after the first results have been sent).
These deadlines should allow you to improve the situation.
The date and place of the inspection must be communicated to you.
If the results of the second check are deemed insufficient, the Dasen will formal notice enroll your child in a school (public or private) within 15 days of notification.
You must provide the mayor with the contact information for this institution.
You must enroll your child in a public or private school during the current school year and at least until the end of the next school year.
You must report the change of residence to Dasen: titleContent who issued you with the authorization to educate in the family. You must do so within 8 days of your move.
Instruction in the family without permission
If you educate your child in the family without permission, you risk a fine of €1,500.
Opposition of the family to control
You must have a legitimate reason to be able to Dasen: titleContent to move the date of the inspection.
In case of two refusals of control without legitimate reason, the Dasen can give formal notice to enroll your child in a public or private school.
Failure to comply with the formal notice to attend school
If you refuse to enroll your child in a public or private school after the formal notice from the Dasen, you risk six months in prison and €7,500 of a fine.
The Dasen will report this offense to the public prosecutor.
Enrollment in a private school opened illegally
If you enroll your child in a private school opened illegally, while you are allowed to educate him in the family, you risk 1 year in prison and €15,000 of a fine.
The Dasen you give formal notice enroll your child in a public or private school. He will report this offense to the public prosecutor.
Family allowances
You must send the authorization for family education to the Family Allowance Fund (Caf) to benefit from the family allowances.
Aid for schooling
Your rights differ depending on whether your child is registered in regulated class of Cned or not.
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General case
You cannot benefit from the back-to-school allowance (ARS) if your child is educated in the family.
The child will also not be able to benefit from the college scholarship or high school scholarship.
Child enrolled in Cned in regulated class
You can, under certain conditions, benefit from the following financial aid:
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Arrangements for issuing authorization for family education
Criminal sanctions in case of non-compliance with the formal notice to register the child after the second check (article 227-17-1)
Compulsory schooling
Regulated Cned
Criminal sanctions for enrollment in a private school opened illegally
Control of registration
Control of the content of the required knowledge of children educated in the family or in private non-contract educational institutions
Criminal sanctions
Service Public
Ministry of Education
National Center for Distance Learning (Cned)