Census of Citizens
Verified 19 October 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
Every young Frenchman (girl or boy) must do his citizen census (sometimes called by mistake military census) from the age of 16. Carry out a citizen census is mandatory, may the young live in France or abroad. We present you the information to know.
In France
FYI
If you are a foreign national, you are not concerned by the citizen census.
The period of the citizen census depends on your situation:
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Young French born
If you were born French, you must take your citizen census from your 16e birthday. You have to within 3 months. You have until the end of the 3rde months to do it.
Example :
If your 16e anniversary is september 12, 2026, you must do your citizen census between september 12, 2026 and december 31, 2026.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you must do so before your 25the birthday.
Young man turned French
If you became French between the ages of 16 and 25, you must take your citizen census in the following month obtaining French nationality.
Example :
If you obtain French nationality on September 12, 2026, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2026 and October 31, 2026.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you must do so before your 25the birthday.
Young person who can reject French nationality
If you have the possibility to refuse french nationality and that you choose to be French, you have to 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, 2026, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2026 and October 31, 2029.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you must do so before your 25the birthday.
If you have the possibility to refuse french nationality and that you don't choose to be French, you are not concerned by the citizen census.
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 completed the JDC (or have been exempted from it) to be able to enroll from 18 years old in an exam (BEP, Bac...), or an administrative competition or the driving license exam in France. This obligation ceases from your 25the birthday.
- You are automatically registered on the electoral roll from your 18the birthday and then you can vote.
- You must inform your CSNJ: titleContent any change in your personal or professional situation. This obligation ceases on the day of your 25the birthday.
Reminder
If you are a foreigner, you are not involved in the census.
The rules are different depending on your situation:
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General scenario
You can take your citizen census online, or at the town hall of your home:
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Application 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
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent 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 (HOMELESS: titleContent), it is the town hall of the commune where is located the organization with which you have done election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this step for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- National identity card or valid passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent 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 "invalidity"
The rules are different depending on whether you do your citizen census online, or at the town hall of your home:
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Application 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
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply for exemption from participation in the JDC. To do this, you must present your "mobility inclusion" card marked "invalidity" at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in 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 (HOMELESS: titleContent), it is the town hall of the commune where is located the organization with which you have done election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this step for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- National identity card or valid passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can apply for exemption from participation in the JDC. To do this, you must present your "mobility inclusion" card marked "invalidity" at CSNJ: titleContent closest.
Who shall I contact
If your application is accepted, you will receive a individual certificate of exemption from participation in JDC.
You have a disability card
The rules are different depending on whether you do the citizen census online, or at the town hall of your home:
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Application 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
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can request to be exempted from participating 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 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 (HOMELESS: titleContent), it is the town hall of the commune where is located the organization with which you have done election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this step for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- National identity card or valid passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can request to be exempted from participating 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 JDC.
You are disabled
The rules are different depending on whether you do the citizen census online, or at the town hall of your home:
Online Census
You must use the following online service :
Application 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
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent 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 bearing the words Medical Confidential. You must deposit this envelope in a 2from envelope. You must send this 2from 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 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 (HOMELESS: titleContent), it is the town hall of the commune where is located the organization with which you have done election of domicile.
You have to do the census yourself. But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this step for you, before your 18e birthday.
You have to go to the town hall with the following documents:
- National identity card or valid passport or any other document proving French nationality
- Family booklet up to date.
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, as well as the remedies and deadlines available to you. But if you are unable to obtain this information in writing, you can contact the CSNJ: titleContent on which you depend.
After completing your citizen census, you can request 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 bearing the words Medical Confidential. You must deposit this envelope in a 2from envelope. You must send this 2from 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 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 online, or in town hall:
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Online Census
Your census certificate may:
- Either be in the briefcase of your personal online account
- Either be sent to you by the town hall, by post and within 10 days
- Either you're handed over by the town hall.
Census in town hall
The town hall gives you your census certificate on the day of your citizen census.
The rules are different depending on your age:
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Before age 25
You can request a certificate of administrative situation to your CSNJ: titleContent. You can request it:
- Either by email, with a copy of your identity card or passport (valid)
- Either by post, with a copy of your identity card or passport (valid).
From 25 years
You cannot obtain a document in lieu of your census certificate.
To register for a exam (BEP, bachelor...) or competition) administrative french, you must provide either a proof of your citizen census or a proof of your Defence and citizenship day (JDC).
It all depends on your age:
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Before 18 years
You must present 1 of the following supporting documents:
- Census certificate
- Individual certificate of participation in the JDC: titleContent,
- Individual certificate of exemption from JDC
- Certificate of administrative status (issued upon request in the event of damage, loss or theft of your census certificate, JDC certificate, or JDC exemption certificate).
From 18 to 24 years
You must present 1 of the following supporting documents:
- Individual certificate of participation in the JDC: titleContent
- Individual certificate of exemption from JDC
- Administrative status certificate (issued on request in case of loss or theft of a JDC certificate or exemption certificate)
- Provisional certificate "convening body" (in case of waiting for convening at the JDC).
From 25 years
You don't have to provide proof.
To register for the examination of the driving license in France, the proof to be provided is not linked to the citizen census, but to the Defence and citizenship day (JDC).
Depending on your age, you may or may not provide:
The proof to provide to register to the examination of the driving license in France depends on your age:
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Before 17 years
You don't have to provide proof.
From 17 to 24 years
You must provide 1 of the following supporting documents:
- Individual certificate of participation in the JDC
- Individual certificate of exemption from JDC
- Administrative status certificate (issued in case of damage, loss or theft of your JDC certificate or exemption certificate)
- Provisional certificate "convening body" (in case of waiting for convening at the JDC).
From 25 years
You don't have to provide proof.
After your citizen census, you must inform your CSNJ: titleContent any changes in your situation.
This obligation ceases on the day of your 25the birthday.
The changes to be reported are the following:
- Home. Attention, any absence from the usual home for more than 4 months must also be declared.
- Family status (e.g. marriage, birth of a child...))
- Professional situation (e.g. transition from student to employee).
You can make your declaration in different ways:
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By email
On the « Defense + » website
You can make your declaration from the website Defense +.
To do this, you must have previously created your personal account:
By post
You must use a cerfa form:
JDC/Census: declaration of change of domicile or residence, family situation, employment situation
You must send this form to your CSNJ: titleContent.
What to remember
From the age of 16, every French citizen must take a census.
- To do this, you must go to the town hall of your home or conduct the census online, with your family record book, your valid identity card or any other proof of French nationality.
- Once the census is completed, a census certificate is provided. It is essential to register for a competition or exam (BEP, Bac…) before the age of 18. Then you automatically receive your summons to the JDC: titleContent by mail, because before the age of 18, every Frenchman must participate in the JDC. You can also consult your convocation about 3 months after your citizen census, from your personal account, to be created on the site Defense +.
- Once the JDC has been completed, you will be given an individual certificate of participation in the JDC. It is essential to enroll from 17 to 24 years old in the driving license exam, and from 18 to 24 years old in a competition or exam (BEP, Bac…).
What to do in case of non-compliance with deadlines?
- If you are under 25, get your census as soon as possible.
- Once your census has been completed, you must contact the National Service and Youth Center (CSNJ) on which you depend by email or post (ask your town hall for more information). You must indicate the reason why you did not do the JDC and ask to be summoned to the JDC to regularize your situation
- You receive a summons to participate in the JDC.
From the foreigner
FYI
If you are a foreign national, you are not concerned by the citizen census.
The period of the citizen census depends on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Young French born
If you were born French, you must take your citizen census from your 16e birthday. You have to within 3 months. You have until the end of the 3rde months to do it.
Example :
If your 16e anniversary is september 12, 2026, you must do your citizen census between september 12, 2026 and december 31, 2026.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you must do so before your 25the birthday.
Young man turned French
If you became French between the ages of 16 and 25, you must take your citizen census in the following month obtaining French nationality.
Example :
If you obtain French nationality on September 12, 2026, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2026 and October 31, 2026.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you must do so before your 25the birthday.
Young person who can reject French nationality
If you have the possibility to refuse french nationality and that you choose to be French, you have to 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, 2026, you must do your citizen census between September 12, 2026 and October 31, 2029.
FYI
If you have not completed your citizen census within this period, you must do so before your 25the birthday.
If you have the possibility to refuse french nationality and that you don't choose to be French, you are not concerned by the citizen census.
He is mandatory to conduct the citizen census.
But 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 a 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 enroll from 18 years old in an exam (BEP, Bac...), or an administrative competition, or the driving license exam in France. This obligation ceases from your 25the birthday.
- You are automatically registered on the electoral roll from the age of 18. You can vote from the age of 18.
- You must inform your CSNJ: titleContent any change in your personal or professional situation. This obligation ceases on the day of your 25the birthday.
Reminder
If you are a foreigner, you are not involved in the census.
It all depends on your situation:
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You are registered in the French register 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
You are not registered in the French register established outside France
You have to do the process yourself.
But in your absence, one of your legal representatives can do this step 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 do your citizen census until the day before your 25e birthday.
The census certificate you are used to prove that you have taken your citizen census.
Following the citizen census taken from the foreigner, your embassy or consular authority gives you a census certificate.
The rules are different depending on your age:
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Under 25
You can request a certificate of administrative situation at CSNJ: titleContent from Perpignan.
You can request it:
- Either by email, with a copy of your valid identity card or passport (valid)
- Either by mail, with a copy of your valid identity card or passport (valid).
Who shall I contact
25 years or older
You cannot obtain a document in lieu of your census certificate.
To register for a exam (BEP, bachelor...) or competition) administrative french, you must provide either a proof of your citizen census or a proof of your Defence and citizenship day (JDC).
It all depends on your age:
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Before 18 years
You must present 1 of the following supporting documents:
- Census certificate
- Individual certificate of participation in the JDC: titleContent,
- Individual certificate of exemption from JDC
- Certificate of administrative status (issued upon request in the event of damage, loss or theft of your census certificate, JDC certificate, or JDC exemption certificate).
From 18 to 24 years
You must present 1 of the following supporting documents:
- Individual certificate of participation in the JDC: titleContent
- Individual certificate of exemption from JDC
- Administrative status certificate (issued on request in case of loss or theft of a JDC certificate or exemption certificate)
- Provisional certificate "convening body" (in case of waiting for convening at the JDC).
From 25 years
You don't have to provide proof.
To register for the examination of the driving license in France, the proof to be provided is not linked to the citizen census, but to the Defence and citizenship day (JDC).
Depending on your age, you may or may not provide:
The proof to provide to register to the examination of the driving license in France depends on your age:
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Before 17 years
You don't have to provide proof.
From 17 to 24 years
You must provide 1 of the following supporting documents:
- Individual certificate of participation in the JDC
- Individual certificate of exemption from JDC
- Administrative status certificate (issued in case of damage, loss or theft of your JDC certificate or exemption certificate)
- Provisional certificate "convening body" (in case of waiting for convening at the JDC).
From 25 years
You don't have to provide proof.
After your citizen census, you must inform your CSNJ: titleContent any changes in your situation.
This obligation ceases on the day of your 25the birthday.
The changes to be reported are the following:
- Home. Attention, any absence from the usual home for more than 4 months must also be declared.
- Family status (e.g. marriage, birth of a child...))
- Professional situation (e.g. transition from student to employee).
You can make your declaration in different ways:
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By email
You must send it to the CSNJ of Perpignan.
Who shall I contact
By post
You must use form cerfa n°11718:
JDC/Census: declaration of change of domicile or residence, family situation, employment situation
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, certificate...))
Census (conditions, procedures...))
In case of disability or invalidity (Article R112-6)
Supporting documents and copies (Articles R113-6 and R113-8)
Online service
Online service
FAQ
Service Public
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Defense