A French minor crossing a border must present their own identification documents. Since 2012, a parent’s passport inscription is no longer sufficient: each child, regardless of age, is considered a full-fledged traveler. The required documents vary depending on the destination, the presence of a parent, and sometimes the child’s nationality.
France Identity and Minors: A Limit to Know Before Departure
Since June 24, 2026, the France Identity app is accepted in all French airports for check-in and boarding, provided that the new national identity card is held in a bank card format. This dematerialization only applies to adults.
A teenager aged 16 or 17 cannot use their phone as a travel document. The physical identity card remains mandatory for them, even on a domestic flight. The app is also not recognized in foreign airports, including for a return flight to France.
This distinction creates a concrete situation: a parent can board with just their smartphone but must necessarily slip their child’s plastic card into the cabin luggage. Find more practical information on Concept Voyages to prepare for a departure with a minor.
Identity Card or Passport: Which Document Depending on the Destination
The choice between a national identity card (CNI) and a passport depends on the geographical area. Both documents must be valid at the time of travel.
European Union and Schengen Area
A valid national identity card is sufficient to travel within all EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It is also accepted for the DOM-TOM, Andorra, and Monaco.
The family record book does not replace an identity document. It can serve as proof of kinship but does not allow a child to pass through border control.
Destinations Outside the European Union
A valid passport is required for any destination located outside the European area. Some countries impose a residual validity period of several months after the planned return date. Others require a specific visa, even for a young child.
- The application for a passport for a minor requires the presence of the minor and a legal representative at the town hall, along with two compliant identity photos and proof of residence.
- Processing times vary depending on the periods, and town halls close to school holidays often experience a surge in applications.
- A passport for a minor under 15 years old is valid for five years, compared to ten years for an adult.
Exit Authorization: When It Becomes Mandatory
The exit authorization (AST) applies to minors traveling without either parent. This requirement, reinstated in 2017, applies as soon as the child leaves France, whether with a grandparent, an uncle, a family friend, or as part of a summer camp.
The Cerfa form n° 15646*01, available online, must be filled out and signed by a holder of parental authority. It is accompanied by a photocopy of the identity document of the signing parent. Without these two elements, the child may be denied boarding or border crossing.
When the child travels with one of their two parents, the AST is not required to leave French territory. However, some destination countries may request additional documents proving the parental relationship or the consent of the other parent, especially in cases of different last names.
Prohibition of Exit: A Distinct Measure from the AST
The prohibition of exit (IST) is a judicial measure, not to be confused with the absence of authorization. It can be requested by a parent from the family court judge when there is a risk of abduction or non-return of the child.
When an IST is entered in the wanted persons file, the child is flagged at border posts. No document, even a valid passport accompanied by an AST, allows them to leave the territory. The judge can limit this prohibition to certain destinations or lift it if circumstances change.
This measure mainly concerns situations of serious parental conflict. It serves as a reminder that a minor’s travel documents do not guarantee the possibility of departure: the legal framework of parental authority takes precedence over administrative formalities.
Summary of Required Documents According to the Situation
| Situation | Mandatory Documents |
|---|---|
| Travel in EU/Schengen with a parent | CNI or child’s passport |
| Travel outside EU with a parent | Child’s passport, visa if required by the country |
| Travel without a parent (EU) | CNI or passport, signed AST, copy of parent’s ID |
| Travel without a parent (outside EU) | Passport, visa if required, signed AST, copy of parent’s ID |
Preparing a minor’s documents often takes longer than for an adult, due to the reduced validity period of the passport and specific forms. Starting the process several weeks before departure remains the most reliable way to avoid boarding denial on the day of travel.
