A/ Why Register ?

In addition to Consular protection in case of natural disaster or another crisis, you also benefit from a certain number of advantages relative to your administrative formalities.

Registration allows you to:

- reduce delays in the delivery of the administrative documents you need and reduce the fees payable for those documents (chancellery fees are generally cut in half);

- have your French nationality vouched for when such an attestation is requested by foreign authorities and facilitate the proof of your French nationality during administrative actions at the Consulate;
- prove to French authorities that you reside abroad;
- benefit from a tax refund on your purchases in France when applicable;
- facilitate customs clearance at the time of your return to France.

Additionally, registration is essential in order to:

- obtain a national ID card;
- file a request for an academic scholarship or grant for your children or obtain social assistance from the Consulate;
- be placed on the voter registration list of a French community or on the Consulate’s electoral list.

Attention : This card is not a travel document, it does not replace the need to have a passport or a French national identification card.
In the case of a permanent departure from the jurisdiction, this card should be returned to the post from which it was issued.

B/ Issuance

Registration is a free and simple formality, which can be completed by correspondence by filling out a registration request form (Formulaire de demande d’immatriculation (Adobe PDF)) and sending it by mail to the Consulate. Remember to complete both the front and back sides of the document, and remember to sign it.

Documents in PDF format require the use of Acrobat® reader, which can be downloaded for free by clicking here.

Whether you complete this process via mail or by coming into the Consulate in person, all preliminary requests must be accompanied by the following documents:

- proof of your identity : this means a copy (or the original, if you register in person) of an official document, which includes a recent photo and your civil status.

Examples : national ID card, French passport, previously-issued matriculation cards, French driver’s license, etc.
In case of doubt as to the acceptability of your identitification by the Consulate, contact 404 495 1660 or info@consulfrance-atlanta.org .

Attention : The Consulate must be able to be confident regarding your identity, which is why you must present yourself before a consular agent. However, your presence is not required at the moment of your request for registration : verification can be made during subsequent phases when you must appear at the Consulate (request for a passport or national ID card for example). You may also visit the Honorary Consul located closest to your place of residence and request the verification of your signature and the identification of the photos that you must attach to the file (Cf. infra).

- Proof of your French nationality: For example: a copy (or the original, if you register in person) of your national ID card, a certificate of French nationality, a naturalization decree, a declaration of the acquisition of French nationality, or an original copy of your birth certificate, mentioning on the document your nationality (or the fact that you were born in France, to at least one parent who was also born in France).

Attention: a passport is not proof of French nationality.

- Proof of your residence in the jurisdiction of the Atlanta Consulate : a lease contract, a telephone, gas, water or electric bill in your name, or an American driver’s license, etc.

If you do not currently reside in the jurisdiction but will be moving here soon, you can begin preliminary phases of the registration process. In this case, you must send your proof of residence to the Consulate as soon as you arrive.

Besides these documents, you will be asked to provide:

- 2 copies of the same photo with the picture taken from the front and with nothing on your head (for adults only).

- Digital photography taken with a PERSONAL camera will not be accepted, however, digital photos taken by a professional photographer will be accepted.

- if applicable, a document from the American immigration services attesting your stay in the United States (visa, confirmed certified copy of your alien registration card or proof of your American nationality) : even if this document isn’t obligatory for the registration, it allows the Consulate to determine the length of your stay in the American territory, and consequently, the length of time for which your registration will be valid (5 year maximum and 6 month minimum). In the absence of this document, the length of validity of your registration can not exceed 6 months.

- photocopy of the family record book for married people (with pages concerning minor children living in the consular jurisdiction, who can themselves, also be registered).

- for men between the ages of 16 and 25 and women born after 1983, one of the following documents concerning your military obligations (military booklet, national service card, identification and service sheet or census certificate, certificate of participation in the Appel de Préparation à la Défense).

- if you proceed by correspondence, a self-addressed stamped envelope for the delivery of your consular inscription.

C/ Renewing

You must send to the Consulate :

- a written request;
- proof of residence;
- if applicable, a copy of your documents from the American immigration services (visa, alien registration card, etc.);
- a photo (Digital photography taken with a PERSONAL camera will not be accepted, however, digital photos taken by a professional photographer will be accepted.)
- a self-addressed stamped envelope for the delivery of your consular registration.

Registration Department : For further information, consult the website of MAE: www.france.diplomatie.fr .

Your contact at the Consulate is Stephane Robert : 404 495 1672.