Applying for a Travel Document for a Minor (DCEM)

The Document de Circulation pour Étranger Mineur (DCEM) is a travel document which enables a foreign minor who usually resides in France to prove their right to return to France after travelling abroad. It also facilitates border checks during international travel.

Indeed, minors (under 18 years old) are exempt from the obligation to hold a residence permit. Their status in France is considered regular as long as it is directly linked to that of their parents who are legally residing in the country.
Without this document, the child may encounter difficulties when returning to France, even if they live legally in the country with their parents. The DCEM therefore allows minors to travel outside France and return without difficulty, without the need to apply for a visa for each trip.

The DCEM is valid for the same duration as the parent’s residence in France (usually until the parent’s residence permit expires).

How can I apply for a DCEM for my child?

The application for a DCEM must be submitted online by the parent or legal guardian of the child, using the child’s account on the ANEF platform.

The documents to be provided include, in particular: the child’s passport, birth certificate, proof of address, the parent’s residence permit, proof of the child’s habitual residence in France, and a digital ID photograph of the child.

A fiscal stamp in the amount of €50 must also be provided upon delivery of the DCEM (this fee is waived for children whose parents are European citizens or beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union).

Why is it strongly recommended to apply for a DCEM?

The DCEM provides legal security, as it prevents any risk of boarding refusal or difficulties when returning to France after travelling abroad.

It also has a practical advantage: the child does not need to apply for a return visa for every trip.

For families of foreign employees working in France, the DCEM is an essential guarantee of smooth mobility, particularly for frequent family travel (holidays, family events, accompanying professional assignments).

This makes the DCEM an indispensable tool for ensuring the international mobility of minors who are expatriates or children of foreign employees in France.

What is the processing time for a DCEM?

Processing times may vary depending on the prefecture, but in practice it generally takes from several weeks to a few months to obtain a DCEM.