A " justificatif de domicile" is a document used to prove a person's home address. It provides information about a person's main residence. Depending on your administrative requirements, the type of proof you need varies. To be valid, a proof of address must contain certain information:
- Applicant's full name
- Address of principal residence
- Document issue date
- Name and address of the company or authority producing the document.
Sometimes other information must be included on the document or proof of address, such as the date and place where the contract between the customer and the company issuing the document began.
Administrative procedures or everyday situations may require the production of proof of address.
Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Request for production or renewal of an identity document
- Application for a registration certificate
- Property rental
- Credit offer
- Opening a bank account
- Telephone and Internet subscription
- Voter registration, etc.
To apply for a passport or national identity card, you need to provide the authorities with proof of address less than one year old when you submit your application. If the proof is in your name, you can provide one of the following documents:
- Energy bill
- Water bill
- Landline or cell phone bill
- Rent receipt issued by a social organization or real estate agency
- Title deeds
- Income tax statement or certificate of non-taxation
- Property tax notice or certificate of non-taxation
- Avis de taxe d'habitation
- Home insurance certificate or schedule
- Statement from the caf summarizing housing-related assistance
For those wishing to obtain a residence permit, proof of address less than 6 months old is required. If you are a tenant or owner, you can provide an energy or telephone bill, a lease or a rent receipt. If you live in a hotel, you'll need to produce a sworn statement from the hotel manager and the most recent bill.
When applying for a residence permit, if you are staying with a private individual, three documents are required:
- A certificate from the person hosting you
- A copy of the identity card of the person hosting you
- Proof of address of the host.
Depending on your situation, producing proof of address can be a complex process for certain administrative procedures, such as issuing a vehicle registration document or opening a bank account. Discover our advice for these special cases.
What proof of residence do I need if I live with my parents or a friend?
If you live with your parents and wish to carry out administrative procedures, you will be asked to provide three documents:
- A copy of the identity card of the person hosting you;
- A letter from your host certifying that you have been living with them for more than three months;
- Proof of address less than one year old in the name of the host.
What proof of address do I need if I live on a boat?
People living on a boat and wishing to undertake administrative procedures must provide :
- A certificate of ownership or proof of charter dated less than 6 months ago
- A document issued by the harbor master's office specifying your first and last name, the harbor address and the boat's location.
What proof of address do I need if I live in a hotel or campsite?
Individuals staying at a campsite or hotel must provide two documents to complete their administrative formalities:
- A sworn statement from the hotel manager
- An official document showing your name and the address of the hotel or campsite (tax return, driving license, France Travail certificate, Social Security certificate, rental contract, etc.).
Proof of address must be less than 3 months old to be accepted by the administration.
What proof of address do I need if I live in a caravan?
If you live in a caravan, you must provide two documents to the authorities to validate your application:
- A rental contract or deed of ownership
- An official document from one of the authorities showing your address.
What proof of address is required for people living in retirement homes?
For seniors living in a retirement home, a certificate of address signed by the home's manager may suffice, provided it is less than 6 months old. A landline or cell phone bill at the said address is acceptable to the authorities.
What proof of address do homeless people need?
Homeless people can take out a commercial domiciliation with one of the following administrative structures or associations:
- An association validated by the prefecture to combat social exclusion and promote access to healthcare
- A local social action center (CCAS).
When an identity document such as a passport, vehicle registration document, identity card or driving license is issued, the address of the CCAS or domiciliation association is not mentioned on the document.
Proof of address is an essential part of the business start-up process. When registering your company, you must provide proof of address to validate the address of the registered office. This document can be a recent electricity, gas or water bill, rent receipt or tax notice, among others.
Providing this proof is crucial not only for proving your company's legal address, but also for complying with the administrative and legal requirements imposed by the Trade and Companies Register (RCS). A properly documented address enables you to receive official documents and administrative mail, ensuring smooth exchanges with authorities and business partners. In short, proof of address is much more than a formality: it's a guarantee of legitimacy and reliability for any new company.
Proof of address is an essential document for registering your company's head office. Whether you're a start-up or an established company, providing a valid proof of address is a mandatory step inregistering your company with the RCS (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés ).
Commonly accepted proofs of address include electricity, gas and water bills, or rent receipts less than three months old. Using a proof of address not only proves your company's address, but also guarantees its legitimacy in the eyes of the tax and trade authorities.
Make sure the document is up to date and in order to avoid any delays in the process of creating or modifying your company. By complying with these requirements, you'll simplify the administrative process and lay a solid foundation for your company's growth.
In conclusion, proof of address plays a crucial role in company domiciliation and business start-up. It's the proof you need to establish your company's legal address, an essential requirement for its registration and smooth operation.
Without a valid proof of address, your company's domiciliation could run into obstacles, delaying your entrepreneurial project. What's more, this document is indispensable for other administrative procedures such as opening a business bank account, subscribing to professional services, and receiving official documents.
By ensuring that your documents are up to date and compliant, you simplify administrative procedures and ensure your company's credibility with legal and tax authorities. Company domiciliation is not just a matter of choosing an address, but also of providing official proof of this address, thus guaranteeing the transparency and regularity of your business activities.
Written by our editorial expert
May 17, 2024
