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In brief
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Duration: Verification of the basis takes a few minutes; the medical certificate and the co-ordination of the facilities require an additional time
Cost: Verification of conditions is free of charge; medical consultation follows the usual rules of the health system
On-site only

Who this guide is for

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  • If you are over the age of 65 and apply for a first multi-year card or a first resident card
  • You if you renew a multi-year card or a resident card already obtained
  • You if, for a first card, a disability or a chronic disease prevents you from passing the test under ordinary conditions

To be prepared in advance

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  • The exact name of your process: first multi-year card, first resident card, renewal or naturalization
  • The official personalized list of coins
  • A valid medical certificate if, for a first card, you request an accommodation or an exemption
  • Proofs of your age, international protection status or other category of exception
  • The written confirmation of the examination centre concerning the accommodation granted

Step-by-step procedure

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  1. 1Start by identifying the course. The rules of the first multi-year card, the first resident card and naturalisation are separate; a waiver does not automatically apply to another procedure.
  2. 2For the journey of stay, check your age: people over the age of 65 are not subject to the condition of passing the civic exam for the first card concerned.
  3. 3Check your category of stay. Beneficiaries of international protection and certain persons covered by international agreements may not be subject to the examination requirement.
  4. 4When renewing a multi-year card or a resident card already obtained, make sure that it is a renewal, not a first application or a change to another document. Renewal generally does not take up the examination requirement applicable to a first card.
  5. 5For a first card, if your condition hinders the transfer, ask a doctor to complete the official medical document. It shall specify whether an arrangement is possible or whether the test is objectively impossible.
  6. 6Before registration for the first card examination, pass this document on to the operator and agree on additional time, technical assistance, accommodation adaptation or other format.
  7. 7Do not consider a French diploma as an automatic exemption from civic examination. Proof of the level of French and verification of civic knowledge are two different requirements.
  8. 8For a naturalization, see the Service-Public official sheet and the custom list specific to this procedure. It does not benefit from the B1 exception provided in certain files of first resident card; check the level B2 and civic examination only in the official naturalization card, without transposing the rules of stay.

Common mistakes

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  • Apply to naturalization a rule for the resident card, or vice versa, when these are different procedures.
  • To believe that anyone with disabilities is automatically dispensed without a medical certificate.
  • Consolidate the renewal of an existing card with the first issue of a multi-year document and require further examination without checking the procedure.
  • Transmit to naturalization an exception to the B1 level for another route; check its official form and the B2 level indicated therein.
  • Sign up for a regular session and report on fit-up requirements only on the day of the examination.
  • Use an unofficial certificate without checking the required form and the signatory's status.

Official sources

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Show sources in this section

Useful links

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Civic examination procedureRepublican integration contractFrench for naturalisationNaturalization by decree

Important remark

Exemptions and arrangements for a first card depend on the type of application, age, status and medical assessment. Naturalization is verified on its own official form. Check your custom procedure before registration.

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