In Brief

• The rights certificate proves your affiliation with the Health Insurance.
• The paper copy provided with the Vitale card is not a valid rights certificate.
• The procedures differ depending on whether you are under the general scheme or another scheme (MSA, special schemes).
• You can obtain the document online, by phone, or in person.

Who Can Make the Request

Anyone affiliated with a health insurance scheme in France can request a rights certificate. This request is particularly useful for foreigners in France who need to prove their social coverage during various administrative or professional processes.

Steps

If You Are Under the General Scheme

You have several ways to obtain your rights certificate. The choice of method depends on your internet access and personal situation.

1. Online via the Ameli Account This is the most direct method. You need to log in to your personal space on the ameli.fr website.

• Go to the "My Procedures" section.
• Download the rights certificate. If you do not have an account yet, you can create one online, by phone, or at a welcome point. An explanatory video is available on the Ameli website to guide users through this process.

2. Via the "Compte Ameli" Mobile App The rights certificate can also be obtained from the "Compte Ameli" app, available on the App Store and Google Play. This option allows you to retrieve the document directly on your smartphone.

3. By Phone If you do not have an Ameli account and cannot go in person, you can contact an advisor by phone.

• Dial 3646.
• This service provides information about your rights and procedures, allows you to ask a question about your file, report a change in situation, check your reimbursements, or obtain a rights certificate.
• To facilitate identification and responses, it is recommended to have your Vitale card handy before calling.

Opening Hours for 3646:

• Generally: Monday to Friday, at least from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
• Note: Hours may vary depending on your department.
• From Mayotte: dial 02 69 61 91 91.
  • Monday to Thursday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
  • Friday from 7:30 AM to 12 PM.
• From abroad: dial +33 1 84 90 36 46.

The service is free, but call charges apply from a landline or mobile phone.

4. In Person You can go to a welcome point of your primary health insurance fund (CPAM) to make the request.

5. For Deaf or Hard of Hearing Individuals A video interpretation service is available to contact an advisor.

If You Are Under Another Scheme

For individuals affiliated with a scheme other than the general scheme (for example, the Mutualité Sociale Agricole - MSA, public service mutuals, or special schemes like RATP or SNCF), the procedure is different.

You need to contact the relevant organization directly. This organization will inform you how to request the rights certificate (for example, by email or phone).

Documents

• Your Vitale card is necessary for identification, especially during a phone contact with Health Insurance.
• The paper copy of the information contained in your Vitale card, provided when obtaining the card, does not constitute a valid rights certificate. It is essential to download or request the specific document named "rights certificate."

Cost

The issuance of the rights certificate is free.

Regarding the phone number 3646:

• The service is free.
• However, call charges apply from a landline or mobile phone.
• From abroad, the cost corresponds to the price of an international call to France (+33 1 84 90 36 46).

Timeframes

The timeframes for obtaining the certificate vary depending on the chosen method:

• Online (Ameli account or app): The certificate is available immediately after logging in and selecting the document.
• By Phone: The certificate can be sent or communicated during the call with an advisor, subject to postal processing times if physical delivery is required.
• In Person: The issuance can be immediate depending on the availability at the welcome point.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do Not Confuse with the Paper Copy of the Vitale Card: Many users mistakenly believe that the paper document received with the Vitale card is sufficient. However, service-public.fr explicitly states that this copy is not a valid rights certificate. Only the certificate specifically generated (via Ameli or the organization) is valid.
• Forget Your Vitale Card During a Call: When contacting 3646, having your Vitale card in front of you greatly facilitates identification and speeds up the advisor's response.
• Ignore Your Affiliation Scheme: If you are under the MSA or a special scheme, calling 3646 (General Scheme) will not be effective. You need to contact your specific organization directly.

Usefulness of the Rights Certificate

This certificate is essential to justify your affiliation with Health Insurance in several common situations:

• With certain healthcare professionals.
• During a hospitalization.
• When starting a new job in a company.
• For subscribing to complementary health insurance.
• For registration in a daycare.

Official Source

The information contained in this guide is extracted exclusively from the official sheet service-public.fr titled "How to Obtain a Rights Certificate (Vitale Certificate)?", verified on June 11, 2025, by the Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).