Certified copy of a document issued by a French administration - With a French administration

Verified 28 août 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • You are making a representation to a French administration
Edit

The rules vary depending on the type of document.

General case

One administration may not require, for the study of your file, a certified copy of the original of a document issued by another French administration. One simple legible photocopy of the original document must be accepted. For example, a university may ask you for a copy of your Baccalaureate degree but it cannot require that this copy be certified as true to the original.

However, in case of doubt about the validity of the photocopy, the department reviewing your application may ask you to present the original of the document. In this case, you will receive a registered letter with AR: titleContent which explains why you need to present the original document. Your application is suspended (interrupted) until you submit the original document.

Judicial or authentic act

Certain copies or amplifications may only be issued by administrative or judicial authorities or legal professionals.

For obtain a copy of a judgment, talk to your lawyer or the court office that made the decision.

For obtain a copy of an authentic instrument drawn up by a notary, contact in writing the notary who drew up the deed.

Warning  

You risk criminal sanctions in the event of fraud or attempted fraud (forgery and forgery, scam…)

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

FAQ