How to get proof of address in France ? (justificatif de domicile)

Expats in France often face a catch‑22: you need proof of address to access a service, but you can’t set up a service without it. However, it is possible to get past the initial roadblock and find the right document. This guide will explain what an acceptable proof of address is and how to get one.

At a glance: Proof of address in France

• A justificatif de domicile is a French document that proves your address.
• Accepted documents include utility bills, a home insurance certificate, a rent receipt with lease, or a host’s attestation d’hébergement. Other options are sometimes available, but these ones are preferred.
• In general you should aim to get a document that’s within the last three months, though sometimes six months or a year is acceptable. It depends on what you need the document for.
• The best option for newcomers is often an attestation d’hébergement, which is a signed letter from a host saying you’re living with them for free.
• Common rejection reasons for a proof of address document include names being mismatched, the document being too old, apartment numbers missing or the scan being of a low quality.
• Double-check official requirements on government sites and look at the exact checklist for the procedure you’re applying for.

What counts as proof of address in France? (Justificatif de domicile explained)

Justificatif de domicile means proof of address or proof of residence in English. It’s a legal document that shows where you live. French government authorities, banks, utility providers and other parties use it to verify you live where you say you do.

Proving your address means having a document that links your full name to your address, with a recent date. Doing this ensures you’re registered within the correct local jurisdiction (commune) for administrative, emergency services, tax residency, social security and electoral purposes.

Examples of when you’ll need proof of address in France:

• Residence permit/prefecture requests
• Opening or changing services (internet, phone)
• Some banking steps
• Vehicle registration (ANTS)
• School, childcare, social security/healthcare administration
• Insurance

You can find the official guidance on the Service-Public website. This is the best place to start.

Documents commonly accepted as proof of address in France

Document (French term)	Typical validity	Best for	How to get it fast
Electricity/gas/water/internet bill (facture) or supplier certificate (attestation)	Often ≤ 3 months (sometimes ≤ 6 months depending on procedure)	Most admin processes	Download PDF from provider portal
Home insurance certificate (attestation d’assurance habitation)	Often current/valid coverage; some offices prefer recent issue	Early-stage setup	Download from insurer portal after policy starts
Lease (bail) + rent receipt (quittance de loyer)	Receipt often must be recent	Tenants	Ask agency/landlord for quittance
Tax notice (avis d’impôt)	Varies; sometimes accepted, sometimes not (procedure-specific)	Later-stage once filed	Download from impots.gouv.fr
Hosted letter (attestation d’hébergement) + host ID + host proof	Depends on procedure	New arrivals living with someone	Use Service-Public template + host utility bill
Hotel/campsite invoice	Varies	Temporary stays	Request invoice showing your name and address

There is no universal rule for how recent a document needs to be. You need to make sure you have the right document with the right date for what you’re applying for. If you’re in doubt, the more recent the document you have the better. But you should be able to find the information you need from the agency or company you’re applying for.

How to get proof of address in France (step-by-step)

When you first arrive in France, you’ll need to be able to prove your address so you can start accessing the services you need. This step-by-step guide will help you do that.

1. Identify what you need proof of address for. Depending on what you’re doing, you’ll be able to use a different proof of address with different validity windows. Look up what you need before you start.
2. Choose the fastest document you can realistically get. In most cases, the fastest way to get a French proof of address is with a utility bill in your name, an insurance certificate or a hosted letter.
3. Make sure your name and address match exactly. One of the main reasons for documents being rejected is if the information doesn’t match. It’s important to get this exactly right and have any mistakes corrected as soon as you notice them. This includes things like middle names missing, maiden names on documents or the apartment number missing.
4. Check the “freshness” requirement. As a general rule, most places will want something dated within three months, so aim for that. But it’s not always the case and you might be able to use a document dated within the last six or twelve months. But don’t assume this is the case. It’s better to confirm and get the correct document instead of wasting your time applying again.
5. Download/scan a high-quality PDF. If the person you’re giving your French proof of address to can’t read it properly then it’s going to get rejected. You’re better off downloading a copy of the original document or getting it photocopied properly, rather than taking a photo of something with bad lighting. If you’ve cropped an image of the document, that could also cause you issues.
6. Prepare supporting documents if you’re hosted. If you’re living with someone for free then you’ll need them to write and sign a letter to confirm this. You’re also going to need a copy of their ID and sometimes proof of your relationship. Read up on what you need to do this so you can do it properly the first time.
7. Bring originals and copies to appointments (if in-person). Some offices keep copies but want to see originals. It’s worth assuming this is the case if you’re required to bring the original document, so just do it out of habit. Having more proof than you think you’ll need is the way to start thinking.

It’s a good idea to keep a folder on your computer with records of your French proof of address documents. You could update it monthly or quarterly, whenever the most recent bill comes in. That way you won’t have to scramble around looking for it when you need it. Knowing and accepting that you’re going to need to regularly show proof of address in France is how you should start thinking when you live there.

If you just arrived and have no bills yet (newcomer scenarios)

When you first arrive in France you won’t have much paperwork. It’s important to start the process of getting your French proof of address as soon as possible. There are a number of ways you can do this.

You’re renting but utilities aren’t in your name yet

If you’re renting, you can use your lease and rent receipt as proof of address. This is going to work better if it’s from an agency and not just a private rental agreement.

When you rent in France you’ll need to get liability insurance (assurance habitation) before you sign your lease. The home insurance certificate can then be used as French proof of address.

You can ask the provider or your landlord to have your name on at least one utility contract. Electricity is often used as the gold standard for French proof of address, so that’s probably the best place to start. You can request your attestation EDF online.

You live with a partner, friend or family (attestation d’hébergement)

An attestation d’hébergement is a signed letter from a host saying you’re living with them for free. It’s a very common option for new arrivals in France, especially if you’re moving to France to be with family or friends. In effect they can vouch for you with this letter.

There’s a straightforward process to follow for this option. You’ll need:

• A signed and dated attestation d’hébergement.
• A copy of the host’s ID (or residence permit).
• The host’s own proof of address, which could be a recent utility bill or tax notice. This will vary depending on what you need it for.

You’re in temporary housing (hotel, long-stay Airbnb, short-term rental)

You might be able to get proof of address in this situation, but what is accepted will vary based on what you need it for. You’ll likely need an invoice as proof and a booking email is unlikely to be accepted on its own.

You can ask the accommodation provider to issue you an invoice showing your full name, the correct address and the dates of your stay.

This might work for some procedures, but it’s not a guarantee. You might be asked to provide something more concrete.

You don’t have a stable address (domiciliation)

If you do not have a stable address, you can request an address for service (domiciliation). This gives you proof of address and an address to receive mail.

The application process varies based on where you live. It’ll either be via CCAS (Communal Social Action Centre) or an approved association.

Common reasons proof of address gets rejected (and how to fix them)

• If your document is too old, it’ll get rejected. This is often three months, but sometimes can be six months or a year. Err on the side of caution and make sure you have the newest document possible.
• Name mismatch. Whenever you fill in any official documents or applications, make sure you spell every word correctly and double-check. If your middle name is missing or you have your maiden name on the document after getting married, this could lead to the document being rejected. If there are any errors then get them resolved ASAP.
• Address mismatch. Sometimes your address could be missing the apartment number or the format is different. Make sure the address follows the required format: include the apartment number and match the exact street formatting.
• Using a document the office doesn’t accept for that procedure. Some documents are not accepted as widely as others, for example a mobile phone bill. The solution is to use a document that’s accepted more widely, such as an electricity bill if you can.
• Taking a screenshot and using that won’t save you time because it’s more likely to be rejected than the full document. You’re better off using the full PDF/invoice, even if it requires more printing.
• Not providing the hosted “pack”. If you do have a hosted letter as proof, ensure you have the host’s ID, the host’s own proof of address and a signed letter. Otherwise you’ll come up short.

Always follow the checklist for your specific application.

Where to check official requirements

Every application will have different requirements, but you can easily find out what you need each time. The French government portal, Service-Public, has information on your rights and accepted documents, so that’s a good place to start if you’re unsure.

You can also look at what the specific procedure is for each application.

Money setup tip for expats in France: using Wise while you get established

When you arrive in France you’ll need a way to send and manage your money there. This is important for your rental deposit, paying rent and other setup costs. A service like Wise can help you with that, as you can send money internationally and manage multiple currencies in one place.

• Send money internationally to France. You’ll always see the fee upfront before you transfer.
• Hold multiple currencies (e.g. USD/EUR/GBP) in one account and convert at the mid-market rate
• Keep records/statements handy for everyday admin when accepted by the institution (no universal guarantee)
• Receive payments from overseas to your Wise account

FAQs – Proof of address in France

What is a justificatif de domicile?

A justificatif de domicile is a legal document that proves where you live. Accepted documents include utility bills, home insurance, rent receipts and lease together or hosted letters.

How recent does proof of address need to be in France?

In many cases the document needs to be issued within the previous three months. But sometimes six months or a year is accepted. It depends on the service you need proof of address for.

Can I use a bank statement as proof of address in France?

Check the official checklist for your procedure; bank statements are not listed among the standard proofs on many official pages.

Can I use a mobile phone bill?

Mobile phone bills are not commonly accepted any more.

What if I’m hosted by someone else?

You can prove your address with a signed hosted letter, the host’s proof of address and host’s ID.

What if I’m staying in a hotel/Airbnb?

You might be able to use an invoice issued by the accommodation providershowing your full name, the correct address and the dates of your stay. This isn’t always accepted though so you may still need further proof.

What documents do I bring with an attestation d’hébergement?

You’ll need a signed letter from the host, their ID and their proof of address.

What is Justif’Adresse?

Justif’Adresse is a special system that automatically verifies a street address entered by a user into an online form. It’s designed to make it simpler to get a national identity card, passport, driver’s licence or vehicle registration certificate without having to provide proof of address.

Useful resources:

1. Identity card / Passport: what proof of residence? – (Official) https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F14807?lang=en
2. Carte grise: how to justify your residence in France? – (Official) https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1028?lang=en
3. Attestation d’hébergement – (Official) https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R39697
4. Homelessness (SDF): What is domiciliation (or choice of domicile)? – (Official) https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17317?lang=en
5. Tenant obligation: home insurance covering rental risks – (Official) https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F31300?lang=en
6. What is Justif’Adresse? – (Official) https://ants.gouv.fr/home/our-missions/digital-solutions/justif-adresse
7. Proof of Residence (Justificatif de Domicile): 6 Accepted Documents in 2025 – https://immifrance.com/proof-of-residence-justificatif-de-domicile-6-accepted-documents-in-2025/
8. How to Prove Residency in France – https://www.relocate.world/en/articles/proof-of-residency
9. Showing Proof of Address (Justificatif de Domicile) in France – https://housinganywhere.com/France/proof-of-address-france-justificatif-de-domicile