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Have a postal address

Proposed by Comité de la Démarche Accessible Updated on il y a 3 mois

If you do not have stable housing or accommodation, you can request an official address to:

  • receive your mail
  • keep your mail safe (it is not sent to another address) and confidential (it is not opened)
  • get advice on procedures and social assistance.
Town halls, municipal or inter-municipal social action centers (CCAS or CIAS) and approved centers are responsible for domiciliation requests.

You can then use the proof of address for several procedures :

How to do it?

Situations where registration is possible

You can apply for a postal address at a center if:

  • your home is not stable
    • you are out on the street
    • you often change accommodation centers
    • you live in a social hotel
    • you are temporarily staying with one or more people...
  • you have a connection with a city you visit regularly
    • previous accommodation or address
    • declared or undeclared work
    • French lessons
    • children's school
    • social worker
    • doctor
    • friends, family
    • aid association...
Women who are victims of domestic violence have the option of requesting a registered address:
- even if they live in a stable and registered residence, to begin taking the necessary steps (filing a complaint, divorce, applying for housing...)
- if they have already left the accommodation, to take the necessary steps without giving their real address (divorce, housing application...).

Explanations and advice on the Refugees.info fact sheet: " Finding help in cases of domestic violence "

Situations where registration of address is not possible

You cannot apply for a postal address at a center if:

  • You are an asylum seeker and receive your mail at an accommodation center (CADA, HUDA) or at a first reception center for asylum seekers (SPADA). The accommodation certificate allows you to complete the administrative procedures.
  • You have a stable residence and receive your mail at a shelter. The certificate of residence allows you to complete administrative procedures.
  • You live permanently and receive your mail at the address of a close relative who agrees to register you and provide a certificate of residence. However, if this is temporary and undeclared, it is still possible to request a mailing address at a service center.

1. Documents to prove your connection with the city:

  • Bills, contracts, rent receipts from a previous residence or accommodation
  • Payslip or employment contract from your professional activity
  • Your child's school certificate
  • Certificate from an association that supports you
  • Certificate from a doctor or medical practice you regularly visit
  • Proof of residence for members of your family who live in this city…
These documents are not mandatory; you can also use testimonies (from shopkeepers, residents, etc.) or make your own sworn statement.
If your connection to the city is proven, the center is obliged to accept your domicile.

2. The "Application for election of domicile" form (Cerfa 16029*01):

On the proof of address certificate, it is possible to add other people who also need a proof of address:
- your spouse
- your PACS partner (civil solidarity pact)
- minor children under your care
- other people dependent on you.

You must complete the "Name, surname and date of birth of beneficiaries" section of the form before requesting the appointment.

1. Contact the town hall or social services center in the chosen city and say that you need a postal address.

2. Confirm the appointment

3. Submit the form (step 2)
- by email
- or make a photocopy and send it by registered mail with return receipt requested
- or keep it to give on the day of the appointment.

It is not necessary to make an appointment for the other people registered on the form, but proof of connection with the city must be provided for each person.
If it is not possible to get an appointment, ask the town hall or your social worker or an association that helps homeless people to give you a list of approved centers (for example in the Paris region).

The objectives of the interview are to:

  • check your connection with the city
  • inform you of the obligation to contact the center every 3 months
  • identify your rights and help you with administrative procedures if needed (for example, looking for accommodation, filing taxes, sending a document…)
  • explain why it is important to collect your mail regularly (risk of losing benefits such as RSA , family allowances , etc.).
You will receive a response within a maximum of 2 months after your request.

What happens next?

The CCAS, CIAS, or approved center will provide you with a certificate of residence. Valid for one year for you and for any people added.

You can use it to:

  • complete administrative procedures that require an address (taxes, work, etc.)
  • apply for social assistance (CAF...)
  • apply for legal aid if you need a lawyer.

To keep the address, you must contact (phone, email, mail) or go directly to the center at least once every 3 months.  

If you are absent for more than 3 months (health problems, prison, detention center, business trip, training...) you must inform the center to keep your mail.

Even if your application is accepted, it is not possible to use this registered address to start a business or to have packages delivered (the center only keeps delivery notices and packages are sent to the nearest Post Office).

If the centre refuses the domicile, you can contest (say that you do not agree with) this decision with the Administrative Court .

To file this appeal within 2 months:

  • It is possible to apply for legal aid if you don't have much money.
  • You can also seek help from a social worker or a lawyer .

Read the Refugees.info fact sheet: " Make an appointment with a social worker "

If the center has refused your request because you have no connection with the city, it must give you the address of another center or association in another city.

Two months before the expiry of the proof of residence certificate, you must send or bring the following to the center:

  • an identity document
  • Samples of letters (less than 3 months old) received at this address: letters from the CAF (Family Allowance Fund), France Travail (French Employment Agency), the prefecture…
Some centers may ask you for documents before the end date.

Postal address registration in the center is terminated if:

  • You have found stable accommodation or housing and you have a new address to receive mail
  • You use a different registered address in another city
  • The center refuses to renew your address registration because you haven't contacted them for over 3 months without providing any justification.
  • The center refuses to renew the address registration because you no longer have a connection with the city.

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