Verifying a person’s identity is necessary in a multitude of sectors to avoid fraud and impersonation.
The residence permits used today appeared in 2020 and are equipped with several security features: therefore, how do you check your French residence permit online and make sure that the document presented is authentic?
Find out in this article!
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Control 1: general aspect for the online verification of a French residence permit
The first step for the verification of the French residence permit online / residence permit when you can have access to the original document is the overall aspect of the document: it must not show any trace of cutting, peeling, modification / rectification of any kind.
Pay particular attention to the level and around the photo.
The titre de séjour / carte de séjour is in ID-1 format, the size of a bank card, like the new driver’s license, for example.
Control 2: read, cross-check and verify the numbers and information on the residence permit / carte de séjour
Second step for the online verification of a French residence permit: check the consistency of the information on the document.
Document number
The document number can be found in three different places: in the top right-hand corner of the front panel, on the left-hand side of the front panel and in the first line of the MRZ strip.
All three must be identical:
Date of birth
Here again, the holder’s date of birth can be found in two separate places: in the middle right-hand corner of the recto and at the beginning of the second MRZ line in YYMMDD format:
Last name and first name(s)
Type of owner
This information can be found on the front and in the second line of the MRZ strip:
Card expiry date
Another element present in duplicate on the card: the expiration date, which can be found on the front as well as in the second line MRZ in YYMMDD format:
AGDREF number
What is the AGDREF number?
When a foreign national arrives in France, he or she is automatically assigned an AGDREF number.
This 10-digit number simplifies the management of applications for official documents, and secures all administrative procedures for the person concerned.
AGDREF, which stands for Application de Gestion des Dossiers des Ressortissants Étrangers en France, ensures the rights of legally resident individuals and combats illegal residence.
Where can I find it on a titre de séjour / carte de séjour?
The AGDREF number can be found in three different places on a titre de séjour / carte de séjour: in the bottom center of the front, superimposed in the top left-hand corner of the back and in the first line of the MRZ strip:
Control 3: MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) or ZLA (Zone de Lecture Automatique) tape
The lower part of the residence permits / residence permits is made up of three lines that contain the information on the card, with validation keys that avoid misreadings or falsifications, in other words a relatively reliable way to check your French residence permit online!
You can find a comprehensive article detailing the information involved and how the security keys for online residence permit verification are calculated in our article at this address.
Control 4: safety features
An identity document has a number of features that validate its authenticity.
This is the last step for the online verification of a French residence permit, as it is the longest.
Holographic device
A new-generation holographic device is used to protect the bull visible on the front of the residence permit.
It changes color according to orientation:
Secondary photo
A secondary or “ghost” photo in black and white is visible on the back of the card on the right-hand side:
Electronic chip
An electronic chip is implanted in the document, enabling it to be read without contact.
Here again, it is possible to check your French residence permit online by cross-referencing the information from the chip with that on the card.
It can be found on the back of the document:
Multiple Laser Image
The abbreviation “RF” and the AGDREF number appear on the back of the title.
The image changes according to the orientation of the map.
This device is found on the back, top right of the title:
Ultraviolet control
Some elements are visible only under ultraviolet light, but this requires specialized equipment (so not suitable for checking your French residence permit online).
Front of title under ultraviolet light:
Verso of title under ultraviolet :
Conclusion
You now have all the keys to check your French residence permit online and make sure that it is authentic!
There’s no need for specialized equipment: just a little vigilance and time, and you’ll be able to avoid most of the frauds you encounter on a daily basis!
