Recognition of a child (unmarried couple): approach

Verified 27 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Additional cases ?

Other case: couple of women

You are not married and you want to recognize your child? If you are the father, this recognition is mandatory to establish the filiation of your child. It's not automatic. You can recognize your child at any time, before birth or later. If you are the mother, it is enough that your name appears on the birth certificate, but recognition before birth is possible. We tell you what you need to know.

If you are not married, your child's two filiation ties, maternal and paternal, are independent of each other (we are talking about severable nature of the parent-child relationship).

The recognition of the child is a voluntary and personal act, which only engages the person making the step.

Each of you 2 can have his or her relationship with the child established without having to ask the other parent's permission.

Your child's filiation is established differently depending on whether you are the father or the mother.

FYI  

If you are a couple of women, you have to go through a early joint recognition.

If you live abroad, ask the embassy or consulate for information on what to do.

By the father

You can recognize your child before birth.

You can recognize your child yourself regardless of your situation, including if you are in one of the following situations:

Recognition can be done in any town hall, regardless of the place of birth of the child, your domicile, your nationality or that of the child.

Please note

You can recognize your child in France, even if he must be born abroad.

You have to move to town hall.

You must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of home (or residence) of less than 3 months, in your name.

Your identity document can be your national identity card, passport, residence permit or any other official document issued by a public authority.

You must present the original of the document, whether or not it is valid.

You do not have to present a pregnancy certificate.

The civil registrar shall immediately draw up the certificate of recognition.

He makes you sign it.

He gives you a copy of the deed that will have to be presented at the declaration of birth.

The act of recognition shall mention the following:

  • Surname and first name(s), date and place of birth, profession, domicile of the father
  • Surname and first name(s), date and place of birth, occupation, domicile of the mother (if the father can give this information).
Who shall I contact

Check with the town hall if you need to make an appointment.

The act of recognition does not mention either the first name or the surname of the unborn child.

If you are abroad, recognition can be done in an embassy or consulate.

Recognition can also be done before a notary (for example if you want it to remain confidential), but the process is paid (€75.46 HT: titleContent).

Who shall I contact

FYI  

If you want your child to be recognized at the same time by his father and his mother, you must be present every 2 to carry out the procedure. Everyone must provide proof of address bearing his name.

To establish paternal filiation, you must recognize the child.

You can do it on the occasion of the declaration of birth.

The recognition is then contained in the birth certificate of the child.

You can recognize your child yourself regardless of your situation, including if you are in one of the following situations:

Please note

You can recognize a dead child, if he was born alive and viable.

To establish paternal filiation, you must recognize the child.

You can recognize your child without assistance in the following cases:

  • You're a minor
  • You are subject to a legal protection measure (including guardianship or curatorship).

Recognition is done at the town hall (or possibly before a notary).

Special rules are provided in case of childbirth under X.

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General case

You can recognize your child regardless of age.

You can also recognize a deceased child (we talk about posthumous recognition).

Please note

If the child's parentage is established with respect to another man, you must challenge that parentage before we can make a late recognition.

Recognition can be done in any town hall, regardless of the place of birth of the child, your domicile, your nationality or that of the child.

FYI  

You can recognize your child in France, even if he or she was born abroad.

You can recognize your child yourself regardless of your situation, including if you are in one of the following situations:

You must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of home (or residence) of less than 3 months.

Your identity document can be your national identity card, passport, residence permit or any other official document issued by a public authority. You must present the original of the document, whether or not it is valid.

It is recommended that you also bring a birth certificate of the child or the family record book.

Who shall I contact

Check with the town hall if you need to make an appointment.

The registrar writes the acknowledgement and makes you sign it.

The act of recognition shall mention the following:

  • Surname and first name(s), date and place of birth, profession, domicile of the father
  • Surname and first name(s), date and place of birth, occupation, domicile of the mother
  • First and last name(s), date and place of birth, sex of the child.

The civil registrar of the town hall of birth indicates this recognition in the margins of the birth certificate of the child and in the family record book.

The registrar also informs the other parent of the recognition by mail RAR: titleContent.

If you are abroad, recognition can be done in an embassy or consulate.

Recognition can also be done before a notary (for example if you want it to remain confidential), but the process is paid (€75.46 HT: titleContent).

Who shall I contact

Childbirth under X

If the child was born under X, you can recognize it within 2 months of birth.

Recognition can be done in any town hall, regardless of the place of birth of the child, your domicile, your nationality or that of the child.

You must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of home (or residence) of less than 3 months.

Your identity document can be your national identity card, passport, residence permit or any other official document issued by a public authority.

You must present the original of the document, whether or not it is valid.

Who shall I contact

If you do not know the date and place of birth of the child, you can contact the public prosecutor to search for the date and place of the birth certificate.

Who shall I contact

By the mother

You can recognize your child before birth.

Recognition can be done in any town hall, regardless of where the child was born, your domicile or your nationality.

You must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of home (or residence) of less than 3 months.

Your identity document can be your national identity card, passport, residence permit or any other official document issued by a public authority.

You must present the original of the document, whether or not it is valid.

The civil registrar shall immediately draw up the certificate of recognition. He makes you sign it.

He gives you a copy of the deed that will have to be presented at the declaration of birth.

The act of recognition shall mention the full names of the parents.

Who shall I contact

Check with the town hall if you need to make an appointment.

The act of recognition does not mention either the first name or the surname of the unborn child.

FYI  

If you want your child to be recognized at the same time by his father and his mother, you must be present every 2 to carry out the procedure. Everyone must provide proof of address bearing his name.

You have no no steps to take.

As soon as the mother's name appears in the child's birth certificate, maternal filiation is automatic.

Recognition is not necessary.

However, special rules are provided in case of childbirth under X.

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General case

You have no no steps to take.

As soon as the mother's name appears in the child's birth certificate, maternal filiation is automatic.

Childbirth under X

If you gave birth under X, you need to recognize the child within 2 months of birth to ask for it to be given to you.

Recognition can be done in any town hall, regardless of where the child was born, your domicile or your nationality.

You must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of home (or residence) of less than 3 months.

Your identity document can be your national identity card, passport, residence permit or any other official document issued by a public authority.

You must present the original of the document, whether or not it is valid.

Who shall I contact

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