In Brief
- Registering a birth is a legal obligation for any child born in France.
- It must be done by someone who attended the delivery.
- The standard deadline is 5 days, extended if the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday.
- The process is exclusively done at the town hall of the place of birth.
- Failure to register on time requires regularization before a judge.
Who Can Carry Out the Process
The law requires that the birth be registered by someone who attended the delivery. This obligation does not fall on the mother. The individuals authorized to make this declaration are:
- The father
- The second parent in a same-sex couple
- The head of the delivery clinic (or their representative)
- A doctor
- A midwife
- Any other person who attended the delivery
It is important to note that most hospitals, clinics, and maternity wards have dedicated services that carry out the registration at the town hall for the parents. However, the father retains the freedom to make the declaration himself if he wishes. In cases where the mother gives birth alone in a hospital setting, the responsibility falls to the delivery establishment, including in cases of transferring the mother to another medical facility.
Registration Deadlines
The deadline for registering the birth depends on the place of birth. It is crucial to adhere to these deadlines to avoid complex judicial procedures.
General Case (Metropolitan France and Other Departments)
The declaration must be made within 5 days following the day of delivery. The day of delivery is not counted in this timeframe.
If the last day of the registration deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, or non-working day, this deadline is extended until the next working day.
Concrete examples provided by service-public.fr:
- If the child is born on Monday, June 3, 2026, the declaration must be made by Monday, June 10, at the latest.
- If the child is born on Tuesday, June 4, 2026, the declaration must be made by Monday, June 10, at the latest.
- If the child is born on Friday, June 7, 2026, the declaration must be made by Wednesday, June 12, at the latest.
Specific Case: French Guiana
In French Guiana, the deadlines vary by municipality.
In the municipalities of Apatou, Awala-Yalimapo, Camopi, Grand Santi, Iracoubo, Mana, Maripasoula, Ouanary, Papaïchton, Régina, Saint-Elie, Saint-Georges, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, Saül, and Sinnamary, the declaration must be made within 8 days following the day of delivery. Again, the day of delivery is not counted.
If the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, or non-working day, the deadline is extended until the next working day.
Examples for these municipalities in Guiana:
- Birth on Monday, June 3, 2026: declaration by Tuesday, June 11, at the latest.
- Birth on Tuesday, June 4, 2026: declaration by Wednesday, June 12, at the latest.
- Birth on Friday, June 7, 2026: declaration by Monday, June 17, at the latest.
Where to Carry Out the Process?
The birth declaration must be made at the town hall of the place of birth. The birth certificate is drafted immediately by a civil status officer.
Special Case: Birth During Travel
If the child is born during a trip, the declaration must be made at the town hall of the place where the mother interrupted her journey. The specific rules are as follows:
- Birth on a train: The declaration is made at the town hall of the municipality of the first main station reached.
- Birth on an airplane: The declaration is made at the town hall of the municipality to which the airport belongs.
- Birth aboard a ship in a French port: The declaration is made at the town hall of the municipality to which the port or harbor belongs.
Documents to Provide
The necessary documents depend on the parents' family situation. Here are the required documents according to the cases described by service-public.fr.
General Case (Married Parents or Standard Situation)
- Identity documents of the parents (or the declaring parent)
- Medical certificate of delivery (usually a certificate from the doctor or midwife)
- Declaration of choice of name (if the parents wish to make this declaration)
- Acknowledgment of paternity (if it was established before the birth)
- Family record book (to register the child, if the parents already have one)
If the parents are not married and the child has not yet been acknowledged by the father, he must provide proof of residence (or domicile) less than 3 months old to acknowledge his child.
Birth in a Same-Sex Couple
- Identity documents of the mothers
- Medical certificate of delivery (certificate from the doctor or midwife)
- Joint acknowledgment established before a notary
- Declaration of choice of name (if the mothers make this declaration)
- Family record book (to register the child, if the mothers already have one)
Choice of Last Name
If you wish to choose your child's last name, you must submit a joint declaration of choice of name. This process is separate from the birth declaration but is often carried out simultaneously.
Consequences of Late Declaration
If the birth declaration is not made within the regulatory deadlines (5 days or 8 days depending on the location), the civil status officer cannot regularize the situation themselves. A judicial declaration of birth then becomes necessary.
You must consult a lawyer to obtain a judgment that will allow the establishment of the birth certificate. This procedure is longer and more complex than the standard administrative declaration. The absence of declaration is also sanctioned by law.
Official Source
The information contained in this guide is extracted exclusively from the official sheet "Birth Declaration" updated on January 27, 2026, by the Service Public / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).