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The procedure passport

French law · Prepare your case, step by step

Request a French criminal-record certificate

When requesting a French criminal-record certificate, first check which bulletin is required and who may request it. Bulletin no. 3 is the usual personal application route; other bulletins have different authorised recipients. Place of birth can affect the procedure. Prepare accurate identity details for the official service without entering sensitive identifying information into this preparation tool.

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Fictional example · adapt to your facts

What does a worked example show?

An organisation asks for a criminal record without specifying the bulletin or any requirements for using it abroad.

The resulting sheet
Task
Request a French criminal-record certificate
Evidence to locate
Full identity and exact birth details
Question to resolve
Why does place of birth matter?

Clarify the required document, then follow the official route for the person's place of birth.

02 / Prepare my file

Which issues should I examine in my file?

  1. Which bulletin can the individual request?

    Read this distinction: The extract generally requested by the person concerned is bulletin no. 3; bulletins nos. 1 and 2 have different recipients and access rules. Record what your documents establish and what remains uncertain.

  2. Why does place of birth matter?

    Read this distinction: The bulletin no. 3 procedure varies by place of birth and may use the Ministry of Justice online service or, in some cases, post or a local court. Record what your documents establish and what remains uncertain.

  3. Can another person's certificate be requested freely?

    Read this distinction: A request for another person is strictly limited, including to specified legal-representation situations. Record what your documents establish and what remains uncertain.

A fact → a document → a check

Which situations should I distinguish?

Request a French criminal-record certificate · two situations to keep separate
SituationPurposeWhat to check
Bulletin no. 3Follow the usual personal requestIdentity and place of birth
Other bulletinsIdentify authorised recipientsDifferent access rules
Source 1

Which bulletin can the individual request?

The extract generally requested by the person concerned is bulletin no. 3; bulletins nos. 1 and 2 have different recipients and access rules.

Source 1

Why does place of birth matter?

The bulletin no. 3 procedure varies by place of birth and may use the Ministry of Justice online service or, in some cases, post or a local court.

Source 1

Can another person's certificate be requested freely?

A request for another person is strictly limited, including to specified legal-representation situations.

Source 1
01 / Prepare my file

How can I prepare this file?

This organiser assembles your choices on this page. Fields are not sent automatically and are not retained after reloading.

Your starting documents
The point to check

Read this distinction: The extract generally requested by the person concerned is bulletin no. 3; bulletins nos. 1 and 2 have different recipients and access rules. Record what your documents establish and what remains uncertain.

03 / JULIE

What should I know before acting?

Which bulletin can the individual request?

The extract generally requested by the person concerned is bulletin no. 3; bulletins nos. 1 and 2 have different recipients and access rules.

Source 1

Why does place of birth matter?

The bulletin no. 3 procedure varies by place of birth and may use the Ministry of Justice online service or, in some cases, post or a local court.

Source 1

Can another person's certificate be requested freely?

A request for another person is strictly limited, including to specified legal-representation situations.

Source 1

Which documents make this file useful?

Start by locating these records: Full identity and exact birth details; Identity document and any additional evidence required by the place-of-birth branch; Judgment, authority or evidence of legal representation when a request for another person is permitted. Keep unknown or unavailable details marked as such; a checklist is not proof that a document exists.

What does the worked example demonstrate?

An organisation asks for a criminal record without specifying the bulletin or any requirements for using it abroad. Clarify the required document, then follow the official route for the person's place of birth. This fictional example demonstrates a preparation method, not the outcome of a real case.

Which mistakes can change the analysis?

Avoid these shortcuts: Promising access to bulletin no. 2 when the page and online service concern bulletin no. 3; Applying for a friend, employee or relative without legal authority to act for that person.

Source 1

Does completing the sheet submit a request?

No. The sheet organises your selected issue, available records and own notes. It sends nothing to an authority or another party, calculates no deadline and cannot suspend one. Copy the file and check the applicable procedure before acting. Clarify the required document, then follow the official route for the person's place of birth.

How can Julie help with this preparation?

Julie by AlphaDeep is an AI legal assistant for French law. Use the chosen question to discuss this task: Request a French criminal-record certificate. Julie can help explain sources, examine document wording and draft a response. Check its proposals against your originals and ask the appropriate professional to review consequential choices.

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How can I continue with Julie?

Continue with Julie: sourced questions, document analysis and assisted drafting.

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Sources consulted on 21 September 2026.

Which official sources should I check?

Which related task can I prepare next?

Prepare an attestation d’accueil host fileRequest a French birth certificate from abroadPrepare an employer’s French work-permit file

General information about French law. This organiser does not file or send an application. Have consequential choices checked by the relevant professional.