Can an association's request for a declaration be refused?

Verified 07 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

The administration cannot oppose the declaration of an association if the file is complete and if the object of the association is in accordance with the law. However, the reporting rules differ depending on whether the registered office of the association is Alsace-Moselle or in the rest of France. We present you the information to know.

The Registry of Associations may not oppose the declaration of an association provided that the declaration dossier is complete.

The registry of associations must deliver a receipt, dated and signed, of the prefect of department, within 5 days of the deposit.

This receipt lists the documents provided.

When the declaration file is incomplete, the issue of the receipt is delayed pending the missing documents.

The registry only verifies that the file contains the documents required by the regulations. It does not control the appropriateness of the associative project, nor its future functioning.

The receipt does not mean that the object of the association complies with the law.

If the administration considers that an association does not respect the law, it seizes the public prosecutor who may, after conducting an inquiry, request the dissolution of the inquiry by the court of the place where the association has its registered office.

An association must not be based on an unlawful cause or object, contrary to the law, morality (illegal or discriminatory activities for example). Nor can it be aimed at undermining the integrity of France and the republican form of government.

The court may not oppose the declaration of an association as soon as it fulfills the whole the following conditions:

The number of members of the association is at least 7
The statutes specify the purpose, the name, the seat of the association and mention the obligation to register in the register of associations
The statutes shall be signed by at least 7 members and shall bear the date of their establishment
The statutes contain provisions on the entry and withdrawal of members, the nature of the contributions of members, the formation of the management, the conditions for convening the general meeting, the form of the convening and the method of recording the resolutions of the meeting
The declaration is made by management. It shall be accompanied by the original and a copy of the articles of association and a copy of the resolutions relating to the constitution of the management

If these conditions are not met, the declaration is temporarily rejected by the court registry with reasons for regularization.

If these conditions are met, the court must give the association a dated and signed receipt.

The receipt does not mean that the object of the association complies with the law. If the administration considers that an association does not respect the law, it seizes the public prosecutor who may, after conducting an inquiry, request the dissolution of the inquiry by the court of the place where the association has its registered office.