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The declaration of birth
This sheet presents an essential step to secure your settlement and residence in line with the law: declaring a birth.
Key points of the sheet
- The declaration of birth is compulsory. The father, the mother or a person present at the delivery makes it within 5 days.
- The declaration is made at the town hall (mairie) of the place of birth. The civil registrar (officier d'état civil) then draws up the child's birth certificate.
- The birth certificate makes it possible to get social rights, such as allowances or social security (sécurité sociale). It also makes it possible to ask for identity documents and to enrol the child at school.
- For the declaration, you show the identity document of the parents or of the parent. You also show the medical certificate of delivery, usually given by the doctor or the midwife.
- You show the declaration of choice of name if the parents take this step. You show the act of recognition if it was drawn up before the birth.
- If the child is not yet recognised and the father wishes to recognise him, the father's proof of address (or of residence) less than 3 months old is needed. If the parents already have a family record book, you show it so that the child is written in it.
Words to know
- declaration of birth (déclaration de naissance)
- It is a compulsory step at the town hall of the place of birth, within 5 days after the birth.
- birth certificate (acte de naissance)
- The civil registrar draws it up. It gives access to social rights, lets you ask for identity documents and allows school enrolment.
- civil registrar (officier d'état civil)
- He draws up the child's birth certificate thanks to the declaration of birth.
- medical certificate of delivery (certificat médical d'accouchement)
- It is a document to show for the declaration, usually a statement from the doctor or the midwife.
- family record book (livret de famille)
- If the parents already have one, they show it so that the child is written in it.
- act of recognition (acte de reconnaissance)
- It is shown for the declaration if it was drawn up before the birth.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who can declare the birth of a child?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui peut déclarer la naissance d'un enfant ?
The declaration is made by the father, the mother or a person who was present at the delivery.
Who draws up the child's birth certificate?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui établit l'acte de naissance de l'enfant ?
The declaration of birth allows the civil registrar to draw up the birth certificate.
Which document must you show to declare a birth?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel document faut-il présenter pour déclarer une naissance ?
For the declaration, you must show the medical certificate of delivery, usually from the doctor or the midwife.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- In which case must you declare your child to the état civil (civil registry)?
- Within what time must you declare your child's birth at the town hall?
More in this topic (Administrative procedures)
- The steps to obtain French nationality
- Everyday formalities such as domiciliation (administrative address)
- Everyday formalities such as civil liability insurance
Source
Sheet “La déclaration de naissance” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.