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In brief
Section actions
Duration: CIR and civic path OFII — over several months, in parallel with the rest
Cost: CIR via OFII — free for data subjects
On-site only

Who this guide is for

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  • You register your child at public school and want to understand the rules
  • You hear about secularism and look for an explanation without controversy
  • You are preparing the assimilation interview or civic path OFII

To be prepared in advance

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  • Accepting that "different" does not mean "bad"
  • Vitalpes Glossary for Key Terms

Step-by-step procedure

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  1. 1Layness: neutrality in public administration and school; religious freedom in private life.
  2. 2Public school: free, secular, national programme — parents are involved through the parents' council, not through cultural exceptions.
  3. 3Equality: prohibited discrimination — recourse to the Ombudsman, free of charge.
  4. 4Freedom and fraternity: right of association, solidarity via CCAS and associations.
  5. 5CIR OFII: formal step to confirm you know these principles — read OFII media before the exam.

Common mistakes

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  • Confound secularism and religious prohibition.
  • Asking for exceptions at public school — the same rules for all families.
  • Neglecting the preparation for the civic exam OFII — this is a usual stage of the course.

Official sources

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Show sources in this section

Useful links

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Important remark

This information is indicative: it does not replace the prefecture, the OFII or a lawyer. The rules of integration and naturalization depend on your status, the department and the date of filing. Check the conditions on the official sites before filing a file.

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