What to do if your French residency card is lost or stolen

Losing your residency card - or having it stolen - can lead to major headaches, but it is possibly to get a replacement.

These rules apply for all types of residency cards (cartes de séjours), including Brexit Withdrawal Agreement (WA) cards - the replacement card you receive is called a duplicata. 

It contains the same information as your original card did, and does not alter how long you can stay in the country (the original expiry date will remain the same). 

How do I obtain a replacement?

To replace a lost or stolen, card you need to apply through France’s Interior Ministry website.

Choose the option Je déclare un changement de situation.

You will need to sign in with the numéro personnel (personal number) on your residency card, as well as its start and expiry dates.

You may have a scan or photo of your residency card that you needed for another administrative request in the country, which you can use for this. 

Otherwise, you need to contact your prefecture about the situation to attain this information.

Having a copy of this information safely stored somewhere is recommended for this reason. 

Read more: How long do I need to keep old French documents?

Alternatively, if you have previously needed to use the site (such as request a new card after a change of address), you will be able to log in with your personal number on the card and password. 

Finally, if you have the account linked to your FranceConnect account, you can use that.

Read more: What is the ‘FranceConnect’ button used for on websites?

Once logged in, click on the Je signale la perte, le vol ou la déterioration de la carte option, then on the following page, you will need to explain your reason for requesting the card. 

You will need to provide a sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) about the situation.

Other documents that may be required include:

• A photocopy of the lost card (if you have one)
• Your passport
• Your birth certificate
• Proof of address from the last three months
• Proof of ID of your spouse if married
• Birth certificates of your children, with filiation, if they live with you in France
• Three photos of yourself
• Proof of payment for the new card (note if you are applying for a Brexit Withdrawal Agreement card these should be free of charge)

You should receive a confirmation email about your request, and once your card has been replaced, you will need to pick it up from your local prefecture.

Further information on the documents to be provided can be found on the government website, which also includes information for replacing permanent residency cards (cartes de résident) and short-term residency cards of less than one year. 

What about stolen cards or incidents abroad? 

The administrative process for replacing a stolen card is mostly the same as above, but you need to declare it as stolen as opposed to lost.

In addition, you need to report the card as stolen to the local police office in France.

The récépissé you receive from the police after making your request is a required document in your application for a new residency card.

If you lose your carte de séjour abroad, you must report the loss to the local police, and then to the French consulate in the country in question.

You must then request a re-entry visa (visa de retour) from the consulate in order to return to France to avoid being seen as a non-resident by border control authorities, then apply for a replacement card as mentioned above.

Do you have to pay?

Payment depends on the type of card in question. 

Generally, the cost to replace a multi-year carte de séjour is €225, but prices vary depending on the type of card. 

Some residence permits cost €25, and in theory, replacing a Brexit WA card is free.

If you have to pay for the new carte this is done with timbres fiscaux (which can be obtained in a tabac or online here).

Read more: What is the difference between a French carte de séjour and a titre de séjour?