The passport is an identity document which is essential for traveling to certain countries. In France, it can be issued to any citizen who requests it and follows the indicated procedure. This takes an average of 28 days, or even more, depending on the period and location of the request. But it is also possible, in certain cases, to obtain an emergency passport. In this guide, we explain the conditions for obtaining this document, as well as all the steps to take in this regard.
Summary
Emergency passport, What is that ?
As its name suggests, an emergency passport is a passport issued to its holder under an express procedure. So, while the standard procedure usually takes several weeks, an emergency passport can be issued. within 24 hours of request.
Note that it has some characteristics different from those of a standard passport:
- It’s a electronic passport. Unlike the biometric passport, it does not have a chip and is therefore optical reading only ;
- It is not only valid for 1 year, unlike the biometric passport which is valid for 10 years;
- He cannot be used for visa-free travel to the United States.
What are the conditions for obtaining an emergency passport?
As you might expect, not everyone can get an emergency temporary passport. This document is only issued in exceptional cases for urgent travel in one of the following cases:
- Urgent medical reasons : hospitalization, death or serious illness of a parent or loved one;
- Special professional reasons.
It is important to specify here that the situations are studied on a case-by-case basis. So there is no automatic validation granted, whatever the nature of the emergency.
What is the procedure for obtaining an emergency passport?
Do you want to apply for a passport urgently? Here is the process to follow.
Where to apply for an emergency passport?
Depending on your place of residence, the request for this document must be made in the following places:
- If you are in Paris: go first to the town hall, then to the prefecture;
- If you live in the rest of France: go directly to the prefecture;
- For people living abroad: contact your embassy or consulate.
How to apply?
Urgent passport application must be submitted by the applicant in person. On site, you must complete an application form and provide the required documents (see below). If the request concerns a minor, the latter must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The documents to provide an emergency passport
There are two main cases:
You have an expired passport for less than 2 years
If you have already made a passport and it is expired, the documents to provide are as follows:
- The old passport;
- Proof of address dated less than 3 months;
- An identity photo ;
- The tax stamps worth 30 € (payable online);
- The document (s) that justify the urgent need for the trip (certificate of hospitalization, death certificate, certificate or employer’s mission order, etc.).
If you are married or use another name, add the corresponding supporting document.
Your passport has been expired for more than 2 years or you do not have one
In this case, in addition to the documents mentioned above, your secure identity card must be added to the file. If you do not have one, you must provide proof of civil status (birth certificate extract, full copy of the marriage certificate). One proof of French nationalitye may also be requested in some cases.
Read also: Redo a passport: the modalities
