Online Authorization Service for Genealogists to Access French Civil Registers Under 75 Years

France Overhauls Access To Civil Status Records With New Online System For Professionals

In a bid to streamline access to civil status registers for individuals under 75, the Archives Department of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has announced a full switch to a single online procedure. Beginning January 1, 2026, requests for derogation authorizations must be filed through the national digital channel, with offline submissions redirected automatically.

What’s Changing

The modernization centers on a one-stop, secure online service hosted on the national platform. Professional genealogists seeking access to non-public records are now required to submit their authorization requests electronically, attaching all needed documents. The system provides real-time tracking from submission to approval.

Eligible records under 75 years old are managed by two archives locations:

• The central Civil Status Service (SCEC) of the Ministry, based in Nantes.
• The Nantes diplomatic Archives Center (CADN).

Under the Heritage Code, consultation of birth and marriage certificates becomes free after a 75-year holding period. For professional researchers, the derogation authorization remains valid for two years during which the requested registers—still not publicly accessible—may be consulted as needed.

How To Apply

From January 1, 2026, all requests must be submitted via the one-stop online platform. Applicants must attach the supporting documents listed within the procedure. the process is designed to guide users step by step and to let them monitor their case in real time until the authorization is issued.

Important note: any request sent by other channels, such as mail, will be redirected to the online system to ensure consistency and traceability.

Key Facts At A Glance

Aspect	New Procedure	Previous Process
Who can request	Professional genealogists seeking derogation authorization	Independent inquiries via mail or alternative channels
Where to apply	One-stop service on demarche.numerique.gouv.fr
What registers	Civil status records under 75 years old
Authorization validity	Two years
Fees	Consultation is free after 75 years; derogation process specifics handled online
Access locations	SCEC (Nantes) and CADN (Nantes)

Why This Matters — Long-Term impact

The shift to a digital, centralized workflow aims to shorten processing times, increase transparency, and reduce the administrative burden on researchers. By centralizing requests and document submission, the system improves compliance with the Heritage code while preserving controlled access to sensitive records. This model also aligns with broader European efforts to digitize civil-status services and enhance professional genealogical research.

Looking Ahead

As users transition to the online platform, officials will monitor feedback to refine the tool and ensure it remains user-amiable for genealogists while maintaining rigorous verification standards. expect ongoing improvements to document lists, submission guidelines, and status updates to further streamline the experience.

Disclaimer: This data concerns legal procedures. For specific cases, consult official sources or contact the relevant archives office.

Key links: Demarche Numerique Gouv and Heritage Code L. 213-1, L. 213-2.

Reader engagement

Are you or your organization prepared to adapt to this online-only process? What features would you like to see added to the platform to ease your research workflow?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us how digital reforms like this affect your access to past records.

What challenges do you anticipate with transitioning from mail-based requests to a fully online system?

Engage with us: how will this digital shift change your genealogical or archival work in the coming year?

Next question: Will this online system affect the speed and reliability of obtaining derogation authorizations for international researchers? Share your views.

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What Is the “Online Authorization Service” for French Civil Registers?

• Definition: A secure, web‑based platform that issues digital authorizations (certificates d’autorisation) allowing professional genealogists to request civil status records (birth, marriage, death) dated less than 75 years ago.
• Key Providers:

1. Service Central d’État Civil (SCEC) – national authority that validates and forwards authorizations to municipal offices.
2. Archives Départementales – host the digitized registers and receive the authorized requests.
3. France‑Archives Online – a third‑party gateway partnered with SCEC, offering a user‑friendly portal for genealogists worldwide.

Source: Service Central d’État Civil – “Procédure d’accès aux actes d’état civil” (2024).

Legal Framework Governing Access

Regulation	Age Restriction	Access Condition
code civil – Article 75	75 years from the event date	Public access without restriction.
Code de la santé publique – Article 89	75 years for vital records	Requires a valid reason (e.g., genealogical research).
CNIL Guidelines (2023)	Data protection for living persons	Authorizations must include proof of legitimate interest.

Step‑by‑Step Process to Obtain an Online Authorization

1. Create a Verified Account

• Register on the official portal (e.g., https://autorisation.genealogy.fr).
• Upload a government‑issued ID and a professional credential (genealogist certificate,membership of a recognized society).

2. Submit a Request Form

• Select the type of act (birth, marriage, death).
• Enter dates (must be < 75 years) and municipality.
• Provide a research justification (family tree link, client consent, etc.).

3. Pay the Administrative Fee

• €12 per request for digital delivery; €18 for printed copies.

4. Receive Digital Authorization (PDF‑signed)

• Valid for 30 days.
• Contains a unique reference number and QR code for fast verification.

5. Access the Record

• Use the reference number on the Archives Départementales portal to download the scan.
• For non‑digitized records, the authorization is forwarded to the municipal office, which returns a certified copy by postal service.

Benefits for Professional Genealogists

• Speed: Requests processed in 2‑5 buisness days, compared to 4‑6 weeks for paper applications.
• Security: End‑to‑end encryption and CNIL‑approved data handling reduce privacy risks.
• International Reach: French consular offices accept the digital authorization, enabling remote research for clients abroad.
• Audit trail: QR‑code verification logs every access, ensuring compliance with GDPR.

Practical tips to Maximize Efficiency

• Batch Your Requests: The portal allows up to 10 acts per submission; grouping by department saves time and fees.
• Use Precise Date ranges: Narrowing the search window improves match accuracy and reduces unnecessary rejections.
• Leverage “Advanced Search Filters”: Filter by act type, gender, and marriage parish to locate obscure records quickly.
• Maintain a Research Log: Document each reference number, retrieval date, and source citation; this is essential for client reporting and future audits.

Real‑World Example: Accessing 1920s Birth Records in Calvados

Case Study – March 2025

Genealogist sophie L. needed a 1923 birth certificate for a client tracing ancestry to Lisieux, Calvados. Using the online authorization service, she:

1. Submitted a single batch request for three birth acts (1922‑1924).

2. Received the PDF authorization within 48 hours.

3. Accessed the digitized register via the Archives Départementales du Calvados portal, downloading the required scan instantly.

4. Delivered the certified copy to the client within 5 days, saving an estimated 3 weeks of conventional mailing time.

The process highlighted the time‑saving advantage of the digital workflow and demonstrated compliance with French privacy laws.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I request records for living individuals?

A: No. The 75‑year rule applies strictly; any act younger than 75 years requires the subject’s written consent, which the online service does not handle.

Q2: Are there language barriers on the portal?

A: The platform offers French, English, and Spanish interfaces. Technical support is available via email and chat in all three languages.

Q3: What if the record is not digitized?

A: The authorization is automatically routed to the municipal office, which will either digitize the act on demand or send a certified paper copy.

Q4: How does the service handle GDPR requests?

A: All personal data (ID, research justification) is stored for a maximum of 90 days, after which it is permanently deleted unless the user opts for an extended archive.

Integration with Other Genealogy Tools

• Family Tree Builders (e.g., Ancestry, MyHeritage) can import the PDF authorization via API, linking the retrieved act directly to a client’s tree.
• GEDCOM Export: The portal allows automatic generation of a GEDCOM note containing citation details (department,act number,reference ID).
• Collaboration Platforms: Authorized users can share read‑only links with research partners, preserving citation integrity while preventing unauthorized downloads.

How to Troubleshoot Common Issues

Issue	Symptom	Quick Fix
Authorization Rejection	“Invalid research justification” message	Refine the justification to explicitly mention family relationship and client consent; attach a scanned consent form if required.
Delayed Record Delivery	Status shows “Processing” beyond 7 days	Contact support with the reference number; verify that the municipality is not under a public holiday backlog.
QR code Not Scanning	Error when verifying at municipal office	Ensure the PDF is opened at 100 % zoom; re‑download the authorization if the file size was truncated during download.

Future Outlook: Enhancements Expected by 2027

• AI‑Driven Record Matching: Predictive algorithms will suggest the most probable act based on partial names and dates.
• Blockchain Certification: Each authorization will receive an immutable ledger entry, further strengthening provenance.
• Expanded International Partnerships: Integration with US and Canadian genealogy societies to streamline cross‑border research.

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All details reflects the latest regulations and service capabilities as of January 2026.