How to Withdraw the Residence Permit (Titre de Séjour) from the Préfecture

April 12, 2024

By now, your residence permit application has been accepted. Congratulations, you have taken a big step but unfortunately, it is not over! Now you want to get the card, the physical document that allows you to prove your residence permit. Don't worry, we explain everything here.

Step 1 : Receiving the SMS

You receive an SMS telling you that your residence permit (titre de séjour) is ready to be picked up in the Préfecture that you belong to. It also informs you of the amount of tax to be paid.

💡Pro tip :

If you have not received an SMS within 2 months, the prefecture generally suggests that you contact them directly (link pour la Préfecture de Paris). If it’s been less than 2 months, don’t bother contacting them, they will tell you to wait.

Step 2 : Go to the website of your prefecture

As quickly as possible, go to the site of the Préfecture of the city where you live (there are approx. 100 Préfectures in France). What makes things a little bit complicated is that depending on the Préfecture in question, the site is not the same and neither is the method of making appointments.

In the following sections, we will give you a :

📖 Guide: How do I know which prefecture I belong to?

Step 3: Go to the section about picking up a residence permit

☛ Direct link for the Préfecture of Paris

To access it : Click on Démarches et Services en Ligne > Je suis un particulier > Ressortissants étrangers > Remise du titre de séjour

The site then gives you the different steps to follow: it is above all a question of finding an appointment slot, paying a tax, then preparing the documents for the day of the appointment. The most complicated (by far!) is booking the appointment.

☛ Direct link for the Préfecture of Paris

As appointments fall randomly, we have made a whole article to explain to you how to maximize your chances of finding an appointment, it is here:

📖 Guide : Comment trouver un créneau à la Préfecture de Paris ?

Step 4: Find a slot and make an appointment

☛ Direct link for the Préfecture of Paris

As appointments fall randomly, we have made a whole article to explain to you how to maximize your chances of finding an appointment, it is here:

📖 Guide : Comment trouver un créneau à la Préfecture de Paris ?

Step 5: Pay the « timbre fiscal » (= the tax)

📖 Guide : Comment trouver un créneau à la Préfecture de Paris ?

What is called the “timbre fiscal” is a tax.  ☛Link to pay it

We have also prepared an article dedicated to the timbre fiscal, for more information it is here:

📖 Guide: What is a timbre fiscal and how to pay it?

Steps 6: Go to the préfecture with the right documents

Here is the checklist, as indicated on your « convocation » (the confirmation letter that you receive once the appointment is booked)

☛ Find a slot at the Préfecture of Paris

🗹 The SMS or email informing you of the availability of your title🗹 The printed timbre fiscal

☛ What is a timbre fiscal?

🗹 The titre de séjour or APS or attestation de décision favorable or last récépissé

🗹 Valid passport

🗹 The confirmation letter (convocation)

💡Pro tip :

On the day of the appointment, before leaving for the Prefecture, go over the list, checking off each item as you check that you have them.