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

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

Your situation

  • The civil status document contains an error that modifies essential information
  • The civil status certificate was drawn up in France
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Step-by-step approach

Substantive error is an error or omission that relates to essential information of the civil status document and which requires the judge's assessment.

Examples: error of parentage, error in the indication of the sex and first names of a person with a variation in genital development (a doctor must have found that his sex does not match that on his birth certificate).

Prepare the following documents:

  • Application on free paper
  • Full copy(s) of the civil status documents to be corrected less than 3 months old
  • Full copy of any deed of civil status or copy of any document justifying the existence of an error and allowing its correction. For example, when the birth certificate is incomplete because one of the first names chosen by the parents is missing.
  • Copy of an identity document. For example, national identity card, passport.

Depending on your situation, additional documents may be requested.

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

You live in France

You must apply to the judicial court of your home or the court of justice of place where the act was drawn up.

Your query can be deposited or sent by post.

Who shall I contact

You live abroad

You must contact the judicial court of Paris.

Your query can be deposited or sent by post.

Who shall I contact

You are informed by mail of the decision.

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