Asking for a birth certificate

In short

More than 18 years

Last update : 28 déc. 2022

What is it?

A birth certificate is an official document that proves a person's date and place of birth.

It is a civil status document (identity and situation in society) made and sent by the OFPRA (French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons).

OFPRA is responsible for several civil status documents for beneficiaries of international protection (refugees, stateless persons and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection): marriage certificate, family record book, death certificate.

The birth certificate issued by OFPRA is an authentic (official) document, and essential for certain administrative procedures (marriage, naturalization, identity papers, etc.).

Good to know: A birth certificate does not have a validity period, that is, it is valid all the time for your entire life.
But for a marriage or a PACS, you must present a birth certificate less than three months old (sent by OFPRA less than 3 months ago).

Who is it for?

Age required

More than 18 years

Location

France entière

Age required

More than 18 years

Location

France entière

What to do?

The OFPRA reconstitutes your birth certificate

After receiving a positive response from OFPRA, grating you refugee or stateless person status, or subsidiary protection, you can apply for a birth certificate.

To draw up your birth certificate and “reconstruct” your situation (name and date of birth of the parents, your date and place of birth), OFPRA uses the administrative documents from your country of origin (if you have any) and the statements made during your asylum interview.

Good to know: The OFPRA may ask you by post for additional information to verify your identity. Respond by mail only.

Reconstituting a birth certificate can take time. There is no need to go to OFPRA or follow up to obtain the document more quickly.

If necessary, request a copy of your birth certificate online

Once your birth certificate has been reconstituted, you can request a birth certificate for yourself, or for a member of your family (spouse, parents or grandparents, children or grandchildren) directly on the OFPRA website.

There are 3 different documents:

- a full copy: i.e. the entire birth certificate

- an extract with filiation: information on the person concerned (surname, first name(s), date and place of birth) and information on the parents

- an extract without filiation: only information on the person concerned.

Good to know: First you need your OFPRA file number .
It is a 9-digit number of the XX-XX-XXXXX type written at the top left of each letter sent by OFPRA.

Then, you can apply on this link: https://www.ofpra.gouv.fr/demander-un-acte

> Click on "Birth certificate", then on "Next".

> Then, on “Me” or “Someone in my family”.

> Complete the forms.

Good to know: After registering the request, you will receive a tracking number: you must keep it to be able to follow the progress of the request.