Residents » Overview » Essential Documents

With the exception of your passport, all documents which you plan to use in an official capacity in France, must be translated into French. Do not make the mistake of relying on people’s ability to speak your language.

Don’t leave home without:

• Passports

• Visas

• Passport photos

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Financial certificates

• School records

• Dental and medical records

• Credit cards

• Insurance papers (including copies of your past driving record)

• Vehicle documents (if shipping your car)

• Veterinarian papers (if shipping your pet)

• Driving Licence(s)

• Inventory of safety deposit box

• Relocation material and instructions (if your move is being taken care of by an employer)

• Wills, trusts, powers of attorney

• Moving company documents or contracts

• Prescriptions (and/or letters from your doctor with the French name of whatever medications you may take)