Passport of a minor: first application - In France

Verified 29 septembre 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

Your situation

  • Application in France
  • In the metropolis
  • The minor does not have an identity card
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Step-by-step approach

The minor and his legal representative must show up set at the counter. Their presence is indispensable.

The legal representative must exercise parental authority. It could be the father, the mother or the guardian. He has to show his own ID.

The place of application does not depend on the domicile. The minor and his legal representative may surrender in any town hall, provided that it is equipped with a recording station.

The list of equipped town halls can be consulted online:

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Many town halls require that the file be filed only by appointment.

THEANTS: titleContent make available a search engine allowing you to find an appointment in an equipped town hall:

Find an appointment for a passport application

It is possible to prepare the process by performing a online pre-applicationBut it's not an obligation.

Pre-application saves time when submitting the application.

Pre-application for a 1st passport application

You have to present the documents originals.

The documents to be provided vary according to whether the minor already has an identity card or not:

If the legal representative is a guardian, other documents must be presented to prove the exercise of parental authority.

FYI  

If the minor wishes to use a common name (double name) that is not yet on an identity document, other documents may be requested to justify this the use of the name of the other parent.

The purchase of the tax stamp is done online via this online service:

Online purchase of the tax stamp - Passport

The cost of the stamp varies according to the place of residence and age of the minor:

  • If the minor is between 0 and 14 years old, the tax stamp costs €17.
  • If the minor is between 15 and 17 years old, the tax stamp costs €42.

FYI  

If you do the online pre-applicationHowever, you can purchase the tax stamp as part of the pre-application (by paying by credit card).

You then have to go to the chosen place with the supporting documents.

The minor and his legal representative must show up set at the counter. Their presence is indispensable.

The legal representative must exercise parental authority. It could be the father, the mother or the guardian. He has to show his own ID.

The passport is not made on site. It cannot therefore be issued immediately.

Manufacturing times depend on the location and period of the request. For example, as the summer holidays approach, delays may be longer.

When a mobile phone number has been indicated during the application, an SMS is sent once the passport is available.

It is possible to follow the progress of the application on the website of theANTS: titleContent :

Track the status of a passport application

The situation differs according to the age of the minor:

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Before 12 years

The legal representative must go to the ticket office to collect the passport.

The legal representative signs the passport on the spot accompanied by the mention the father, the mother or the guardian.

The passport that is issued is a biometric passport.

It must be removed in the 3 months of making it available. After this period, the passport is destroyed.

A minor's passport is valid for 5 years.

Between 12 and 13 years

The legal representative must show up at the counter with his child to collect the passport.

The legal representative signs the passport on the spot accompanied by the mention the father, the mother or the guardian.

The passport that is issued is a biometric passport.

It must be removed in the 3 months of making it available. After this period, the passport is destroyed.

A minor's passport is valid for 5 years.

If they become of legal age before their expiry date, they can continue to use them and do not need to apply for a new passport.

From 13 years

The legal representative must show up at the counter with his child to collect the passport.

If his legal representative agrees, the minor can sign the passport.

Otherwise, it is the legal representative who signs the passport on the spot accompanied by the mention the father, the mother or the guardian.

The passport that is issued is a biometric passport.

It must be removed in the 3 months of making it available. After this period, the passport is destroyed.

A minor's passport is valid for 5 years.

If they become of legal age before their expiry date, they can continue to use them and do not need to apply for a new passport.

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