Updated on: October 29, 2024 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
This article is about the Certificate de Coutume application experience at VFS Paris and shared by “Karthikeyan”. The article has been published with his permission, along with a few important additional information.
If you would like to contribute with articles about your personal experiences, feel free to write to me at Contact me
What is a Certificat de coutume?
A Certificat de coutume is a document issued by the Indian Embassy In Paris for multiple purposes such as,
- Getting married in France
- Getting PACSed in France
- Giving Last Name to a newborn baby in France
The applications can be submitted at VFS Global offices in Paris and Marseille
You can find all the official details at Indian Consular Services – VFS Global
Application Summary
The main purpose of the application was to give the Father/Mother’s first name [Prenom] to a newborn child’s family name [Nom].
If you are expecting a child, it is recommended to do this process 2 to 3 months before the delivery date and avoid any last minute complications.
So, here is a summary of the process followed by him.
- Application Mode: Offline via appointment [regular option] or by post. He sent the documents by registered post to VFS Paris via La Poste.
- Application Location : VFS Global India, Paris [16 Bd du Général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy], +33 01 76 27 86 85, Email – infoindefrance@vfshelpline.com
- Application sent : 19/01/2024 [Via La poste with l’avis de réception].
- Call back from VFS: 24/01/2024 [VFS needs additional information].
- Application processed: 31/01/2024 [Received payment link by email + Payment done].
- Fees paid: ~58,60 € [17 € For the application + 2 € SMS + 30 € sending by Post + Other tax]
- Document received by Post: 07/02/2024.
A few comments and suggestions from him.
- Check with local Marie if they accept to keep your given name as family name. If they agree it may avoid the above whole process.
- He did the application offline by post, so the original passport/RP was not mandatory to be sent to VFS.
- When VFS receives the documents, you will get a call back from them if it is all okay and they will ask for the payment to process. Processing time is around 7 days after the payment confirmation.
- Prenom for the child is mandatory for giving you the certificate.
- He attached all the necessary documents as explained in the list given below.
| Processing duration for Indian Consular Service Applications (except Police Clearance Certificate) | |
|---|---|
| VFS Office | Duration |
| Paris | Minimum 5 working days but may take longer |
| Marseille | Minimum 7 working days but may take longer |
List of Documents submitted to VFS Paris
Here are the various documents submitted by him via post.
- Cover letter [Sample below]
- Self-attested Passport copy of father
- Self-attested Passport copy of mother
- Titre de sejour copy of father
- Titre de sejour copy of mother
- Déclaration de grossesse
- Marriage certificate
- Miscellaneous Service application form duly signed
- Two photographs as Indian government norms
- Declaration Form duly signed
You can also refer the official checklist “Certificat de coutume” for giving name to the newborn child checklist.
Cover Letter for Surname/Nom of a Newborn Child
Applicant Name: Karthikeyan
Passport No: YYY
Address:
Contact Number:
Email :
Subject: Requesting for certificat de coutume regarding Father’s given name as Family name [Nom] to the newborn child
Respected Sir/Madam,
Bonjour,
I, Karthikeyan [Passport number YYY], and XXX [Passport number YYY] got married on DD/MM/YYYY in India and my wife moved to France by DD/MM/YYYY. I am working in a private company in XYZ France. We have our residence permit Carte de sejour Pluriannuelle which will be expired on DD/MM/YYYY. [Resident Permit numbers XXX and YYY]
My wife got pregnant on DD/MM/YYYY, and our delivery date will be in DD/MM/YYYY. Since we don’t have a family name, we have kept our father’s name as a Family name in France for us. For our baby, I and my wife decided to keep my given name XXX as the family name for my child. Can you please give a certificat de coutume stating that my Given name XXX will be the family name [Nom] for our child.
Prenom for Child:
Nom for Child: KARTHIKEYAN
Also, please contact me by Email/call if you need further information and for the payment.
I would like to receive the certificat de coutume by post to my address XXX
Thank you so much / Merci.
Karthikeyan XXX
Wife Name
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Certificat du coutume from Embassy of India
