First of all, if I’ve posted this in the wrong section, please do let me know politely where I should be looking. Similarly, if this topic has already been discussed and I’ve missed it, I would appreciate a gentle pointer.
Here’s my situation, and I hope someone can advise:
I have a Carte de Séjour, Article 50, valid for five years, and I’m currently going through the renewal process for the ten-year card. The online process has been completed and approved, and my interview at the Préfecture is in a few days. I feel confident that this renewal should go smoothly, just as obtaining the first card was straightforward.
My question concerns my son: he was born in France but is not a French citizen; he holds a British passport. After researching (perhaps not thoroughly), I’m still unclear about the best course of action for him. I would be grateful for advice from anyone with experience:
Does my seven-month-old son need a separate Carte de Séjour pour Mineur (minor’s residence permit)?
Is he automatically attached to my Carte de Séjour if I’ve provided his birth certificate during my renewal process?
Should he have a Document de Circulation pour Étranger Mineur (DCEM) instead?
Or should he wait until he’s older to apply for a card himself?
I will also ask these questions during my residency renewal interview, but I’d love to hear from anyone who has navigated this before.
That’s an interesting question. The WA concerns people here before 2021, clearly a baby was not here then, the interpretation is probably ‘someone joining’ family already residing. The Art 50 CDS’s for those under 18 here before 2021 are given (must apply) when reaching 18, there have been some reports prefectures can get this wrong, giving the wrong card, refusing a card or giving non-permanent card.
I didn’t know a child could be ‘attached’ to an Art 50 card - if they can, then that might help avoid problems such as above. So good idea to enquire.
I also wondered what France citizenship rights your baby has, being born in France to etrangers, evidently you can apply for their citizenship from when they are age 13. (Conditions apply!). Perhaps again worth enquiring in your RDV?
I have the information I need and will clarify at the Prefecture when I go there for my interview. Also, I will post back here what I find out from my interview at the Prefecture.
@JaneJones provided the relevant links which have been very helpful.
With respect to French nationality, not interested, but that could change in the future.
Yes and if the parents are not married to each other, the father needs to get an attestation from the Mairie to say he is the biological father or he is not recognised by the state. My granddaughter had her photo taken at a year old for ID purposes as did her older brother as we all live within 20 mins of the Spanish border and often pop over for visits/shopping etc and the douanes can ask for ID.
I wanted to share my experience renewing my Carte de Séjour, Article 50, from a five-year card to a ten-year card, in case it’s helpful for others. For context, I’m a single mother and my son was born in France; there is no father listed on his documents.
Timeline and process:
Expiry: My five-year card expires in April 2026.
Application: I applied for the ten-year card on 21 January 2026 via demarche.numerique.gouv.fr. I uploaded:
Current Titre de Séjour
Passport (ID page + all entry/exit stamps)
Proof of residence (including a residency tax bill)
Approval: My application was approved on 27 January 2026.
Prefecture appointment: Took place in Paris on 11 February 2026. I brought:
Originals and copies of all uploaded documents
My son’s birth certificate, as he is considered a change of circumstance
Interview: No questions were asked. Copies and the original ‘contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République’ were collected.
Biometrics: My fingerprints were scanned.
Récépissé (temporary residence permit receipt): I signed and received a ‘récépissé de demande de carte de séjour’, valid until August 2026, with my photo and signature. This half-page document allows me to continue living and working in France while waiting for my new residence card. I am still in possession of my current valid card.
Next steps: I was told I would receive a text message within three months (possibly as soon as next week per the official) advising me to return to the prefecture to collect my new card.
Regarding my son:
The official handling my renewal confirmed that my son will need a DCEM (Document de Circulation pour Étranger Mineur), as @JaneJones mentioned.
The official advised waiting until I have my new ten-year card before applying for my son, otherwise my son’s application could be blocked.
I hope this helps anyone navigating the renewal process and clarifies the steps for including a minor child.
Replying to this and am in the same situation. My (british) partner and I (also british) had not realised that a DCEM might be necessary. I’m wondering if British children would need one though, given that Brits don’t need a visa to visit France, and this is more for people whose nationality is one where a visa is required to enter France (e.g. China, India).
Does anybody have any thoughts or experience about this?
I wondered the same thing, but when I had my appointment the official confirmed that British children resident in France do still need a DCEM.
It’s not about needing a visa to enter France as a visitor — it’s about proving the child’s legal residence here and allowing them to re-enter France without being treated as a 90/180-day tourist.
So even though Brits don’t need a visa for short stays, a DCEM is still required for a British child who lives in France and doesn’t yet have their own residence status.
That’s what I was told at the prefecture, in any case
