National ID card renewal in France
Renewing a French national identity card (Carte Nationale d’Identité) involves submitting a digital or paper application to a designated town hall. The process includes providing biometric data, such as fingerprints, at an official appointment.
It is generally recommended to start the renewal process at least two to three months in advance of a travel date or expiration, as appointment availability at municipal offices can be limited and processing times fluctuate based on seasonal demand.
Start 60 days ahead
This accounts for the current wait times for municipal appointments and the subsequent production and secure delivery of the physical card.
The process
- 1Verify if a renewal is necessary based on the expiration date and current validity status.
- 2Complete a pre-application online via the ANTS portal to receive a reference number.
- 3Purchase the necessary tax stamp (timbre fiscal) online if a fee is applicable to the specific renewal case.
- 4Locate a participating mairie (town hall) and book an appointment for the biometric registration.
- 5Attend the appointment in person to present documents and have fingerprints scanned.
- 6Collect the new card from the town hall once notified that it is ready for pickup.
What to bring
- Pre-application reference number
- Current identity card
- Proof of address (less than one year old)
- One passport-style photograph meeting official standards
- Digital tax stamp reference if required
Who handles it
Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS - National Agency for Secure Titles)
https://passeport.ants.gouv.fr/
The renewal is free of charge if the previous card is presented. If the previous card cannot be provided or was lost/stolen, a fee of 25 euros is payable via a fiscal stamp, which should be confirmed on the official ANTS website.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensure the passport-style photograph is compliant with official standards, as non-compliant photos will be rejected.
- Confirm that the proof of address is dated within the last 12 months, as older documents are not accepted.
- Remember that the physical presence of the applicant is mandatory at the appointment for the collection of biometric data.
Sources
- Service-Public.fr - Carte d'identité service-public.fr
- ANTS - Portail des titres passeport.ants.gouv.fr
Other documents in France
National ID card renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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