Do I need to change the registration certificate after a divorce?

Verified 20 October 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

After a divorce, if you lose the right to use your usage name, you must have the certificate of registration (previously called -). A new certificate must be requested when the holder is not the ex-spouse who retains the vehicle or if the ex-spouses are joint holders and only one retains the vehicle. This can be done on the internet or at an automotive professional. We explain the procedure to follow.

Warning  

If you have a vehicle in leasing, the procedure is different.

On the internet

Step-by-step approach

The list of documents varies depending on your situation:

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Remove only the usual name of the holder of the certificate of registration

If you are the sole holder of the certificate of registration, which mentions your usage name, whether you divorce and keep the vehicle, you need to have it changed to include only your last name.

Please note

If your ex-spouse agrees or the judge allows you to do so, you can choose to keep his or her name as a common name on your registration certificate. However, if you remarry, you will automatically lose this username and you will need to request a name change on your registration certificate.

To change your Certificate of Registration, you must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of following documents :

Unless the vehicle is exempt from this , proof of roadworthiness:

  • For a passenger car (VP), a pickup or a motorhome of 3.5 tons maximum that is more than 4 years old
  • For a motor vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels or motor quadricycle who's over five.

In addition, you must present one of the following documents :

  • Divorce judgment specifying that the vehicle (make and registration number) is assigned to you
  • If the divorce is pronounced by mutual consent, divorce agreement registered by a notary indicating that the vehicle (trademark and registration number) is assigned to you.

FinallyHowever, if you are asking someone to complete the process for you, you must provide a digital copy of the mandate signed and of your identity document.

The person will have to certify on honor that you have a certificate of insurance of the vehicle and a driving license corresponding to the category of the registered vehicle.

Remove the name of the former spouse who holds or co-holds the registration certificate and who does not keep the vehicle

When, following the divorce, the vehicle, which is registered in the names of the two former spouses, is assigned to one of these former spouses, he requests a new registration certificate by having the  name of the other ex-spouse holder or joint holder.

To change your certificate of registration, you must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of following documents :

Unless the vehicle is exempt from this , proof of roadworthiness:

  • For a passenger car (VP), a pickup or a motorhome of 3.5 tons maximum that is more than 4 years old
  • For a motor vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels or motor quadricycle who's over five.

In addition, you must present one of the following documents :

  • Divorce judgment specifying that the vehicle (make and registration number) is assigned to you
  • Divorce judgment accompanied by the certificate of assignment of the former spouse
  • If the divorce is pronounced by mutual consent, divorce agreement registered by a notary indicating that the vehicle (trademark and registration number) is assigned to you.

FinallyHowever, if you are asking someone to complete the process for you, you must provide a digital copy of the mandate signed and of your identity document.

The person will have to certify on honor that you have a certificate of insurance of the vehicle and a driving license corresponding to the category of the registered vehicle.

Change of the holder of the certificate of registration

Where, following divorce, the vehicle, which is registered only in the name of one of the former spouses, is assigned to the other spouse, he must apply for a new certificate of registration with a change of owner.

To change your certificate of registration, you must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of following documents :

Unless the vehicle is exempt from this , proof of roadworthiness:

  • For a passenger car (VP), a pickup or a motorhome of 3.5 tons maximum that is more than 4 years old
  • For a motor vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels or motor quadricycle who's over five.

In addition, you must present one of the following documents :

  • Divorce judgment specifying that the vehicle (make and registration number) is assigned to you
  • Divorce judgment accompanied by the certificate of assignment of the former spouse
  • If the divorce is pronounced by mutual consent, divorce agreement registered by a notary indicating that the vehicle (trademark and registration number) is assigned to you.

FinallyHowever, if you are asking someone to complete the process for you, you must provide a digital copy of the mandate signed and of your identity document.

The person will have to certify on honor that you have a certificate of insurance of the vehicle and a driving license corresponding to the category of the registered vehicle.

The cost of the Certificate of Registration varies depending on the change made to the Certificate of Registration:

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Remove only the usual name of the holder of the certificate of registration

Withdrawal of the common name of the former spouse from the registration certificate is exempt from payment of the regional tax.

You will have to pay the sum of €13.76 (fixed fee of €11 + routing fee of €2.76). You must mandatory pay by credit card.

Remove the name of the former spouse who holds or co-holds the registration certificate and who does not keep the vehicle

When the vehicle is registered in the names of the two former spouses, the withdrawal of the name of the former spouse who holds or co-holds the registration certificate, and who does not keep the vehicle, is exempt from the payment of regional tax.

You will have to pay the sum of €13.76 (fixed fee of €11 + routing fee of €2.76). You must mandatory pay by credit card.

Change of the holder of the certificate of registration

The change of the holder of the registration certificate, following a divorce, is subject to the payment of the regional tax.

The cost of the certificate of registration is variable. It depends on the characteristics of the vehicle and the region in which you live.

You can estimate the cost of the Certificate of Registration using a simulator :

Calculate the cost of the Certificate of Registration (ex-

You must own a bank card.

The approach is to be carried out on the internet using an online service:

Report a change in your personal circumstances on the Certificate of Registration

You must identify yourself via France Connect.

A digital copying device (scanner, digital camera, smartphone or tablet equipped with a photo function) is required.

The documents to be provided must be scanned.

If you do not have this material:

Some numeric points (with computers, printers and scanners) are available in each prefecture and most sub-prefectures. You can complete the process there. You can be helped by digital mediators if you encounter difficulties with the use of the internet.

You can also be accompanied in your approach by a house France Services.

Who shall I contact

At the end of the process, you get the following 3 elements:

  • File Number
  • Acknowledgement of registration of your application
  • Provisional Certificate of Registration (CPI), which you must print. The CPI allows you to circulate during 1 month, only in France, while waiting to receive your

An online service allows you to follow the progress of the manufacture of the registration certificate:

Track your application for a Certificate of Registration (ex-

You will receive the final registration certificate, sent by La Poste in followed letter, at your home in a delay that may vary.

You must pay attention to the address you provide in the online procedure. It must be as complete as possible (building number, apartment number, letterbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, “resident at home”, etc.).

Your mailbox must show your first and last name.

You can track the shipment of your title either with the registration number or with the tracking number of the Post Office. This tracking number has been communicated to you by email or SMS if you have entered your mobile phone number.

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Please note

Upon receipt of your registration certificate, if you hold a national identity card (CNI) in bank card format, you can also download your digital certificate of registration in the application France identity.

You must keep the old certificate of registration for 5 yearsand then destroy it.

By an authorized professional

The authorized automotive professional takes the necessary steps for you.

Step-by-step approach

The list of documents varies depending on your situation:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Remove only the usual name of the holder of the certificate of registration

If you are the sole holder of the certificate of registration, which mentions your usage name, whether you divorce and keep the vehicle, you need to have it changed to include only your last name.

Please note

If your ex-spouse agrees or the judge allows you to do so, you can choose to keep his or her name as a common name on your registration certificate. However, if you remarry, you will automatically lose this username and you will need to request a name change on your registration certificate.

To change your Certificate of Registration, you must submit the following documents :

Unless the vehicle is exempt from this , proof of roadworthiness:

  • For a passenger car (VP), a pickup or a motorhome of 3.5 tons maximum that is more than 4 years old
  • For a motor vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels or motor quadricycle who's over five.

In addition, you must present one of the following documents :

  • Divorce judgment specifying that the vehicle (make and registration number) is assigned to you
  • If the divorce is pronounced by mutual consent, divorce agreement registered by a notary indicating that the vehicle (trademark and registration number) is assigned to you.

Remove the name of the former spouse who holds or co-holds the registration certificate and who does not keep the vehicle

When, following the divorce, the vehicle, which is registered in the names of the two former spouses, is assigned to one of these former spouses, he requests a new registration certificate by having the  name of the other ex-spouse holder or joint holder.

To change your Certificate of Registration, you must submit the following documents :

Unless the vehicle is exempt from this , proof of roadworthiness:

  • For a passenger car (VP), a pickup or a motorhome of 3.5 tons maximum that is more than 4 years old
  • For a motor vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels or motor quadricycle who's over five.

In addition, you must present one of the following documents :

  • Divorce judgment specifying that the vehicle (make and registration number) is assigned to you
  • Divorce judgment accompanied by the certificate of assignment of the former spouse
  • If the divorce is pronounced by mutual consent, divorce agreement registered by a notary indicating that the vehicle (trademark and registration number) is assigned to you.

Change of the holder of the certificate of registration

Where, following divorce, the vehicle, which is registered only in the name of one of the former spouses, is assigned to the other spouse, he must apply for a new certificate of registration with a change of owner.

To change your Certificate of Registration, you must submit the following documents :

Unless the vehicle is exempt from this , proof of roadworthiness:

  • For a passenger car (VP), a pickup or a motorhome of 3.5 tons maximum that is more than 4 years old
  • For a motor vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels or motor quadricycle who's over five.

In addition, you must present one of the following documents :

  • Divorce judgment specifying that the vehicle (make and registration number) is assigned to you
  • Divorce judgment accompanied by the certificate of assignment of the former spouse
  • If the divorce is pronounced by mutual consent, divorce agreement registered by a notary indicating that the vehicle (trademark and registration number) is assigned to you.

The cost of the Certificate of Registration varies depending on the change made to the Certificate of Registration:

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Remove only the usual name of the holder of the certificate of registration

Withdrawal of the common name of the former spouse from the registration certificate is exempt from payment of the regional tax.

You will have to pay the sum of €13.76 (fixed fee of €11 + routing fee of €2.76). You must mandatory pay by credit card.

Remove the name of the former spouse who holds or co-holds the registration certificate and who does not keep the vehicle

When the vehicle is registered in the names of the two former spouses, the withdrawal of the name of the former spouse who holds or co-holds the registration certificate, and who does not keep the vehicle, is exempt from the payment of regional tax.

You will have to pay the sum of €13.76 (fixed fee of €11 + routing fee of €2.76). You must mandatory pay by credit card.

Change of the holder of the certificate of registration

The change of the holder of the registration certificate, following a divorce, is subject to the payment of the regional tax.

The cost of the certificate of registration is variable. It depends on the characteristics of the vehicle and the region in which you live.

You can estimate the cost of the Certificate of Registration using a simulator :

Calculate the cost of the Certificate of Registration (ex-

In addition to the cost of the registration certificate, the professional will charge you a sum corresponding to the service he performs in your place.

This amount is freely fixed by the professional.

One Provisional Certificate of Registration (CPI) is delivered immediately. It allows you to circulate for 1 month (in France only) pending receipt of your final certificate of registration.

An online service allows to follow the progress of the process:

Track your application for a Certificate of Registration (ex-

You will receive the final registration certificate, sent by La Poste in followed letter, at your home in a delay that may vary.

You must pay attention to the address you provide in the online procedure. It must be as complete as possible (building number, apartment number, letterbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, “resident at home”, etc.).

Your mailbox must show your first and last name.

You can track the shipment of your title either with the registration number or with the tracking number of the Post Office. This tracking number has been communicated to you by email or SMS if you have entered your mobile phone number.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Please note

Upon receipt of your registration certificate, if you hold a national identity card (CNI) in bank card format, you can also download your digital certificate of registration in the application France identity.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • 34 00 - Information on the

    National interactive voice server providing automated answers regarding the, driver's license, national identity card and passport.

    If the user does not obtain the answer to his question relating to the - or to the driving license, he will be put in contact with an advisor of France Titres, the National Agency for Secured Securities (ANTS).

    By phone

    From the city:

    34,00 (cost of a local call)

    From overseas:

    09 70 83 07 07

    From the foreigner:

    +33 9 70 83 07 07