How do I know if a person is still alive?

Verified 23 October 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

To find out whether or not a missing person is still alive, you can contact the town hall of his or her municipality of birth or that of his or her last known residence. We tell you the procedure to perform according to your situation.

The process depends on the information you have about the missing person:

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You know his date and place of birth

You can request a birth certificate without filiation of the missing person to determine if he or she is still alive.

You don't have to be related to her.

If the person is deceased, the information is marginal mention of the act.

The procedure depends on the place of birth of the person concerned:

The person was born in France

You can request a birth certificate extract (without filiation) by any of the following means:

Online

You can make the request directly online :

Application for birth certificate: full copy or extract (birth in France) - Free service

The approach is free of charge.

By post

You must send a letter, on free paper, to the town hall of birth of the missing person, indicating the following information:

  • Surname and forenames of the person concerned
  • Date of birth of this person
  • Your contact information.
Who shall I contact

The approach is free of charge.

On site

You must contact the town hall of birth of the missing person.

Who shall I contact

You must specify the following:

  • Name of the person concerned
  • First name(s)
  • Date of birth.

The approach is free of charge.

The person is French and born abroad

You can request a birth certificate extract (without filiation) by any of the following means:

By post

You must send a letter, on free paper, to the Central Civil Registry Service of Nantes (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) with the following information:

  • Surname and forenames of the person concerned
  • Date of birth of this person
  • Your contact information.
Who shall I contact

  • Attention: the Central Civil Registry does not welcome any public.

    Civil status (birth, marriage or death) of a French person abroad

    Only by mail to the following address:

    Central Civil Registry Service

    11 White House Street

    44941 Nantes Cedex 09

    You can apply for a civil status certificate via a online service.

    For further information, you can:

You know his last home

You can contact the town hall of the municipality of the last domicile of the person concerned.

If the person is deceased, a copy of death certificate can be delivered to you.

You don't have to provide any proof.

Online

You can make the request directly online :

Application for a death certificate (in France) - Free service

By post

You must send a letter, on free paper, to the town hall of last residence the data subject, indicating the following information:

  • Surname and forenames of the person concerned
  • Date of death
  • Your contact information.
Who shall I contact
On site

You must contact the town hall of last residence of the person concerned.

Who shall I contact

You must provide the following information:

  • Name of the person concerned
  • First name(s)
  • Date of birth.

FYI  

He is not more possible to file a request for research in the interest of families.

Who can help me?

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