Last verified: October 2026 — Source: Service-Public.fr
If there is one document you will be asked for over and over again in France, it is the justificatif de domicile (proof of address). You need it to open a bank account, apply for a Carte Vitale, register with the CAF, rent a flat, register a car and virtually every administrative procedure. Unlike many other countries, France has no centralised municipal registration system: proof of address is how you demonstrate where you live.
Which documents count as proof of address?
Accepted documents and their age limits depend on the procedure. Vehicle registration may accept certain bills issued within six months; French ID and passport applications may accept specified documents issued within one year. Check the exact requirements for each procedure. Common examples include:
- Electricity, gas or water bill (EDF, Engie, Veolia, etc.) in your name. This is the most universally accepted.
- Internet or landline phone bill (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues) in your name.
- Rent receipt (quittance de loyer) issued by your landlord or letting agency.
- Avis d’imposition or avis de situation déclarative (valid for one year).
- Attestation de droits from the CAF showing your address.
- Home-insurance certificate (attestation d’assurance habitation).
Note: mobile-phone bills are accepted for several procedures, including vehicle registration. Bank statements or personal letters are not universal substitutes for the documents specifically required.
If you have just arrived and have no bill in your name
This is the most common situation for newcomers. Here are your options:
Attestation d’hébergement (accommodation certificate)
If you are temporarily staying at someone’s home (a friend, relative or acquaintance), that person can write an attestation d’hébergement. The document must include:
- Full name of the person hosting you.
- Your full name.
- Full address of the accommodation.
- A statement that they are hosting you at their address.
- Date and signature.
The host must also attach:
- A copy of their ID.
- A proof of address in their own name (recent utility bill).
The attestation d’hébergement is accepted by most government bodies, but some banks and letting agencies may reject it or accept it only as a temporary solution.
Rental contract
Your signed lease agreement (bail) can serve as proof of address for your initial procedures, before the first utility bills arrive in your name.
There is no municipal registration in France
Unlike countries such as Spain or Germany, France has no municipal registration equivalent. You do not need to register at the town hall (mairie) when you arrive. Instead, your residence is proved by a private document — a utility bill or contract — that shows where you live.
Practical consequences:
- You will not receive a registration certificate from the mairie.
- Your tax address is registered with the tax authorities (impots.gouv.fr) when you file your return.
- Your social address is registered with the CAF and CPAM when you enrol.
- If you move, the official change-of-address service can notify several organisations in one procedure; check which organisations it covers.
Tip for newcomers
Set up electricity in your name as soon as possible. An electricity bill from EDF (or any energy provider) is the most widely accepted proof of address and can help with many procedures, but it does not replace any additional documents required by each authority. You can sign up online or by phone on the same day you sign your rental contract.
Related guides
- How to rent an apartment in France
- How to open a bank account in France
- How to get your Sécurité sociale number
- Your first 30 days in France
Official sources
Accepted documents may vary by institution and procedure. If in doubt, check directly with the body requesting it.