How to correct a civil status document (error, omission, shell, double dash)? - Hardware Error

Verified 22 août 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • Correction of an error (in name, date, place...)
  • Have a hardware error corrected
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Step-by-step approach

Hardware error in a deed of civil status is a simple error of form or a forgotten.

Examples: misspelled name, error in date of birth, error in domicile, error in profession.

You can request the rectification of a birth certificate that includes a double dash between the 2 surnames of a child.

After correction, a heading is added after the double name, as follows: (Part 1: … Part 2: ….).

Example: the double name Jeremy DUBOIS -- DURAND becomes, after correction: DUBOIS DURAND (Part 1: DUBOIS Part 2: DURAND).

Prepare the following documents:

  • Application on free paper or on the cerfa form n°11531. A leaflet, attached to the form, must be read before filling it out.
  • Full copy(s) of the civil status documents to be corrected less than 3 months old
  • Full copy of an act without error or copy of any document justifying the rectification. For example, the birth certificate of a married person whose name is misspelled on the marriage certificate.
  • Copy of an identity document. For example, national identity card, passport.

Depending on your situation, additional documents may be requested.

Please note

If the hardware error is contained in your birth certificate, you must first get the correction of this act. Thereafter, you can request, if necessary, the rectification of others civil status records.

The approach varies in particular depending on whether the civil status document has been drawn up in France or abroad.

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Your request is processed by the registrar or the public prosecutor.

In any case, you are informed by mail of the decision.

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