🇫🇷 EU / International

Carte d'identité (France)

French National ID Card

Easy ~10 min IdentityID CardFrance

/ What is this form?

The carte nationale d'identité (CNI) is the French national identity card, free and valid for 15 years for adults (10 years for minors). While not legally mandatory, it is the most commonly used identity document in France and serves as a travel document within the EU/EEA.

Applications require an in-person appointment at a mairie equipped with biometric capture equipment. Pre-applying online via ANTS speeds up the process. The card includes an electronic chip for digital identification.

CNIs issued before 2014 that were valid for 10 years are actually valid for 15 years — an automatic extension was applied.

/ Who needs this form?

French citizens (strongly recommended — required by many institutions)
Anyone traveling within the EU who prefers to leave their passport at home
Anyone who has lost their CNI

/ What you need before you start

Passport-style photo meeting ANTS specifications

Proof of French nationality (birth certificate)

Proof of address (utility bill, rental contract, tax notice)

Old CNI for renewals

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Pre-apply Online via ANTS

Create a pre-application at ants.gouv.fr. This generates a pre-demand number that speeds up your mairie appointment.

2 Book Mairie Appointment

Book an appointment at a mairie equipped with biometric equipment. Not all mairies can process CNI applications.

3 Attend Appointment with Documents

Bring your pre-demand number, passport photo (compliant with ANTS specifications), proof of address, and proof of nationality.

4 Biometrics Taken

Your fingerprints and photo are taken at the mairie. No additional photos are needed if they take them digitally.

5 Collect After 2–3 Weeks

Return to the mairie to collect your CNI when notified. It's free of charge.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Numéro de pré-demande	The number generated after completing the online ANTS pre-application.	Going to the mairie without pre-applying online — this significantly increases processing time.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not pre-applying online first — doing so speeds up the mairie appointment considerably.

Photo not meeting ANTS specifications — standard photo booth photos are usually fine, but selfies are not accepted.

Going to a mairie that doesn't have biometric equipment — not all mairies can process CNI applications.

/ Frequently asked questions

Is the CNI mandatory?

No, it is not legally mandatory. However, it is free, valid for 15 years, and required as ID by most French institutions. Almost all French citizens have one.