Citizen Census
Verified 17 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You are French and you're about to turn 16 ? You wonder what the citizen census (sometimes called by mistake military census)? Taking your citizen census at the age of 16 mandatory, that you lived in France or abroad. We tell you everything you need to know.
In France
FYI
If you are a foreigner, you are not involved in the census.
The period of the citizen census depends on your situation:
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Young born French
If you were born French, you must do your citizen census from your 16e birthday. You have to within 3 months. You have until the end of the 3e months to do it.
Example :
If your 16e anniversary is September 12, 2025, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2025 and December 31, 2025.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The approach remains the same.
Young man turned French
If you became French between the ages of 16 and 25, you must do your citizen census in the following month obtaining French nationality.
Example :
If you obtain French nationality on September 12, 2025, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2025 and October 31, 2025.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The approach remains the same.
Young person who can reject French nationality
If you have the opportunity to refuse french nationality and that you choose to be French, you must do your citizen census between the day you turn 16 and the month after your 19th birthdaye birthday.
Example :
If your 16e anniversary is September 12, 2025, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2025 and October 31, 2028.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The approach remains the same.
He is mandatory to conduct the citizen census.
After completing your citizen census:
- You get a census certificate. This certificate is essential to be able to register before the age of 18 for an exam (BEP, Bac...) or an administrative competition in France.
- You are summoned to the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC). You must have done the JDC (or have been exempted from it), to be able to register from 18 years old to an exam (BEP, Bac...), or to an administrative competition, or to the driving license exam in France. This obligation ceases from your 25the birthday.
- You are automatically registered on the electoral rolls from your 18e birthday and then you can vote.
The rules are different depending on your situation:
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General case
You can do your citizen census at your home town hall, or online:
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Request for mandatory citizen census
You must have the following documents:
- Family booklet: pages of your parents even if they are empty, page where you appear
- Valid identity card or passport
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
Census at City Hall
You have to do your census at the town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless, this is the town hall of the municipality where the organization you have made is located election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
In case of disability or disability
The approach to take depends on your situation:
You have the card "mobility inclusion" with the mention "disability"
The rules are different depending on whether you do your citizen census at the town hall, or online.
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Request for mandatory citizen census
You must have the following documents:
- Family booklet: pages of your parents even if they are empty, page where you appear
- Valid identity card or passport
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from JDC. To do this, you must present your "mobility inclusion" card marked "disability" at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
Census at City Hall
You have to do your census at the town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless, this is the town hall of the municipality where the organization you have made is located election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC To do this, you must present your "mobility inclusion" card marked "disability" at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
You have a disability card
The rules are different depending on whether you do the citizen census at the town hall, or online.
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Request for mandatory citizen census
You must have the following documents:
- Family booklet: pages of your parents even if they are empty, page where you appear
- Valid identity card or passport
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply for exemption from participation in the JDC: titleContent. To do this, you must present your disability card to the CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
Census at City Hall
You have to do your census at the town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless, this is the town hall of the municipality where the organization you have made is located election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply for exemption from participation in the JDC: titleContent. To do this, you must present your disability card to the CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC.
You're disabled
The rules are different depending on whether you do the citizen census at the town hall, or online.
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Request for mandatory citizen census
You must have the following documents:
- Family booklet: pages of your parents even if they are empty, page where you appear
- Valid identity card or passport
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply to be exempted from participating in the JDC: titleContent. For this, you must provide:
- Or a medical certificate dated less than 3 months and describing your disability
- Either a copy of the cerfa certificate n°15695.
This document must be inserted in an envelope marked Medical Confidential. You must deposit this envelope in a 2of envelope. You must send this 2of envelope at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive:
- Either one individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC
- In the event of temporary incapacity, provisional attestation deferring your participation in the JDC.
Census at City Hall
You have to do your census at the town hall of the municipality of your home.
FYI
If you are homeless or homeless, this is the town hall of the municipality where the organization you have made is located election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
FYI
The town hall can also ask you for proof of address.
Once your census is done, you get your census certificate.
FYI
If the mayor refuses to receive your census return, he must inform you in writing of his refusal, indicate the reason for it, and the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the NJSC on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply for exemption from participation in the JDC: titleContent. For this, you must provide:
- Or a medical certificate dated less than 3 months and describing your disability
- Either a copy of the cerfa certificate n°15695.
This document must be inserted in an envelope marked Medical Confidential. You must deposit this envelope in a 2of envelope. You must send this 2of envelope at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive:
- Either one individual certificate of exemption from participation in the JDC
- In the event of temporary incapacity, provisional attestation deferring your participation in the JDC.
The rules are different depending on whether you did the citizen census in town hall, or online:
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Census in town hall
The town hall gives you your census certificate on the day of your citizen census.
FYI
You cannot get duplicate.
Online Census
Your census certificate may:
- Either be in the briefcase of your personal online account
- Either be sent to you by mail by the town hall within 10 days
- Either you were handed over by the town hall.
The rules are different depending on your age:
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Under 25
You must request a attestation of administrative situation to your CSNJ: titleContent. You can request it:
- Either by email (with a scan of your valid identity card or passport)
- Either by mail (with a photocopy of your valid identity card or passport).
25 years or older
You can't get of attestation of administrative situation after the age of 25.
The census certificate you are used to prove that you have completed your citizen census.
To register before the age of 18 for an exam (BEP, Bachelor...) or competition organized by the french administration, you must present one of the following documents:
- Your census certificate
- In case of loss or theft of your census certificate, a attestation of administrative situation (which you must request from your national service center)
- A document proving your situation regarding the citizenship defense day (JDC). It may be your individual certificate of participation in the JDC or your individual exemption certificate to the JDC.
After completing your citizen census, you must inform your CSNJ: titleContent of any change in circumstances concerning you.
This obligation ceases on the day of your 25the birthday.
The following are the changes to report:
- Change of domicile (relocation). You must also report any absence from your usual residence for a period longer than 4 months
- Change in family situation (for example, you get married or pass away, you have a child)
- Change in employment status (e.g. from student to employee).
You can make your change of situation declaration in different ways:
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By email
From the website “My JDC”
You can make your declaration from the website My JDC.
To do this, you must first have created your personal account:
By mail
You must use form cerfa n°11718:
Statement of change of situation at the National Service and Youth Center (CSNJ)
You must send this form to your CSNJ: titleContent.
Abroad
FYI
If you are a foreigner, you are not involved in the census.
The period of the citizen census depends on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Young born French
If you were born French, you must do your citizen census from your 16e birthday. You have to within 3 months. You have until the end of the 3e months to do it.
Example :
If your 16e anniversary is September 12, 2025, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2025 and December 31, 2025.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The approach remains the same.
Young man turned French
If you became French between the ages of 16 and 25, you must do your citizen census in the following month obtaining French nationality.
Example :
If you obtain French nationality on September 12, 2025, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2025 and October 31, 2025.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The approach remains the same.
Young person who can reject French nationality
If you have the opportunity to refuse french nationality and that you choose to be French, you must do your citizen census between the day you turn 16 and the month after your 19th birthdaye birthday.
Example :
If your 16e anniversary is September 12, 2025, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2025 and October 31, 2028.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you can regularize your situation until the age of 25. The approach remains the same.
He is mandatory to conduct the citizen census.
After completing your citizen census:
- You get a census certificate. You must present this certificate to be able to register before the age of 18 for an exam (BEP, Bac...) or an administrative competition in France.
- You are summoned to the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC). You must have completed the JDC (or have been exempted from it) to be able to register from 18 years old for an exam (BEP, Bac...), or for an administrative competition, or for the driving license exam in France. This obligation ceases from your 25the birthday.
- You are automatically registered on the electoral rolls from the age of 18. You can vote from the age of 18.
FYI
If you are registered on the register of French nationals established outside France, your citizen census is automatic. So you don't have to do anything.
It all depends on your situation:
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Registered in the register of French nationals established outside France
If you are registered on the register of French nationals established outside France, your citizen census is automatic. So you don't have to do anything.
Warning
If you have several nationalities, you must report this to the consulate.
Who shall I contact
Not registered in the register of French nationals established outside France
You have to do the process yourself.
But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this for you, before your 18e birthday.
You must go to the consulate with the following documents:
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Family booklet up to date.
If you have several nationalities, you must report this to the consulate.
Who shall I contact
Please note
You can make your citizen census until the day before your 25e birthday. The process remains the same.
The census certificate you are used to prove that you have completed your citizen census.
Following the citizen census taken from the foreigner, your embassy or consular authority gives you a census certificate.
Please note
You cannot get duplicate.
If you lose your certificate or it is stolen, you must request a attestation of administrative situation at CSNJ: titleContent from Perpignan.
Who shall I contact
The census certificate you are used to prove that you have completed your citizen census.
To register before the age of 18 for an exam (BEP, Bachelor...) or competition organized by the french administration, you must present one of the following documents:
- Your census certificate
- In case of loss or theft of your census certificate, a attestation of administrative situation (which you must request from your national service center)
- A document proving your situation regarding the citizenship defense day (JDC). It may be your individual certificate of participation in the JDC or your individual exemption certificate to the JDC.
After your citizen census, you must inform your CSNJ: titleContent of any change in circumstances concerning you. This obligation ceases on the day of your 25the birthday.
The following are the changes to report:
- Change of domicile (any absence from the usual domicile for a period of more than 4 months must be reported)
- Change in family status (e.g. marriage, birth of a child)
- Change in employment status (e.g. change from student to employee).
You can make your change of situation declaration in different ways:
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By email
You must send it to the CSNJ of Perpignan.
Who shall I contact
By mail
You must use form cerfa n°11718:
Statement of change of situation at the National Service and Youth Center (CSNJ)
You must send it to the CSNJ of Perpignan.
Who shall I contact
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
If you live in France
Town HallIf you live abroad
French Embassy or Consulate Abroad
Census (age, attestation...)
Census (conditions, procedures...)
Article R113-6: supporting documents and photocopies
Online service
Online service
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Defense