Certified true copy of a document issued by an administration - Application to a French administration

Verified 11 août 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • You are making a representation to a French administration
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General case

One administration French may not require, for the study of your file, a certified copy of the original of a document issued by another French administration.

One simple legible photocopy original document must be accepted.

For example, a university may ask you for a copy of your Bachelor's degree but it cannot require that the copy be certified as true to the original.

However, in case of doubt as to the validity of the photocopy, the department reviewing your application may ask you to submit the original document.

In this case, you will receive a registered letter with AR: titleContent which explains why you need to present the original document.

The review of your application is suspended (paused) until you present the original document.

Judicial or authentic instrument

Some copies or amplifications may be issued only by administrative or judicial authorities or legal professionals.

For obtain a copy of a judgment, contact your lawyer or the court registry that made the decision.

For obtain a copy of an authentic instrument drawn up by a notary, contact in writing the notary who drew up the document.

Warning  

You risk criminal sanctions in case of fraud or attempted fraud (forgery and use of forgery, swindle...)

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