France Residence Card (Titre de Séjour / Carte de Séjour) – Verification & ID Features (2025)

The France Residence Card — officially known as the Titre de Séjour — is a government-issued document that authorizes non-EU nationals to legally reside in France. It serves as both a residency permit and a recognized form of photo identification, widely used for KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures across financial, legal, and online platforms.

Types of French Residence Cards

There are several forms of Titre de Séjour, depending on the residency category and duration:

Carte de séjour temporaire – Temporary stay (valid for 1 year)
Carte de séjour pluriannuelle – Multi-year permit (up to 4 years)
Carte de résident – Long-term resident card (10 years)
Carte de résident permanent – Permanent residence
Special cards: étudiant, travailleur, vie privée et familiale, etc.

Each card reflects the legal purpose of residence (e.g., study, family, work) and corresponding rights.

Key Features of the French Residence Card

ID-1 format (credit card-sized, durable plastic)
Issued by the local Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture
Biometric chip embedded (photo and fingerprints)

Front side typically includes:

Full name (Nom, Prénom)
Date and place of birth
Nationality
Card type and residency status (e.g., Étudiant, Autorisé à travailler)
Date of issue and expiry
Personal foreigner number (Numéro étranger, starting with 99…)
Holder’s photo and digital signature
Security features (holograms, microtext, etc.)

Back side may contain:

Address (optional)
Notes on work or study permissions
Barcode or QR code
Machine-readable zone (MRZ) or chip data

Validity

Validity ranges from 1 year to 10 years, depending on card type
Renewable upon expiry, status change, or personal data updates
Legal obligations apply for timely renewal or replacement

KYC and Identity Verification Usage

The France Residence Card is widely accepted for KYC purposes on:

Online banks and financial platforms (Revolut, Wise, N26)
Cryptocurrency exchanges (Binance, Kraken, Bitpanda)
Government portals (taxes, education, social services)
Telecom, housing, and healthcare registration systems

To verify the residence card:

Submit clear front and back images
Ensure visibility of full name, photo, nationality, permit number, issue/expiry dates, and legal status
Make sure the document is not expired or damaged

Additional identity checks may include:

Selfie with the residence card
Live video verification
Proof of address (e.g., utility bill or lease)

Replacing or Renewing the Residence Card

In case of loss, theft, or expiration:

Apply via the official portal: administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
Required documents:
- Valid passport
- Proof of residence
- ICAO-compliant photo
- Justification for renewal (e.g., lost, expired, change of status)
Standard fee: approximately €225
Processing time: 3 to 10 weeks depending on prefecture and status

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