Asylum application certificate (ATDA)
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The asylum application certificate (ATDA) is a document issued to asylum seekers during their appointment at the single-desk contact point for asylum seekers (GUDA).
What does it contain?
The Asylum Application Certificate (ATDA) is an official administrative document confirming that a person has registered an asylum application in France and that the examination of that application is ongoing.
This document, issued by the Prefecture, authorises you to stay in France while your asylum application is being processed. The ATDA includes:
- a foreign national identification number (formerly AGDREF);
- the procedure that will be followed to decide your asylum application (normal, accelerated or Dublin).
The ATDA is valid only in France, it does not allow you to travel freely to other countries of the European Union.
How long is it valid?
The period of validity of this certificate varies according to the procedure:
- 10 months, renewable in 6‑month periods for the regular procedure
- 6 months, renewable in 6‑month periods for the accelerated procedure
- 1 month for the first certificate for the Dublin procedure. It is then renewed for periods of 4 months.
If the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA) has not made a decision on your asylum application after the deadline indicated on your certificate, you may renew it in order to continue to reside legally on French territory.
How can I obtain an ATDA?
You must go to a first reception structure for asylum seekers (SPADA). This association will help you to make an appointment at the GUDA.
The SPADA will fill in an asylum application registration form with you and will give you a notice for your appointment with the GUDA.
If you are in Île-de-France
Contact the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) by calling 01 42 500 900 to arrange an appointment at a SPADA.
If you are outside Île-de-France
Go directly to the SPADA in the department where you live.
At the GUDA, an official from the Prefecture will register your application take your fingerprints, and issue an asylum application certificate. This certificate allows you to travel within French territory for a period of 1 to 10 months.
It will then be renewed until the end of the examination of your asylum application. If France is responsible for examining your asylum application, the prefecture official will also give you a file to send to the OFPRA (French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons), which has sole jurisdiction to examine your application for protection.
Find your ATDA online
Are you an asylum seeker? Log in to your personal space to download it.
ONLINE SERVICE
How do I renew my certificate?
To renew your asylum application certificate, you must make an appointment at the Prefecture of the department you live in. You can find the list of Prefectures and their contact details on the service-public website.
You will need to provide proof that you are domiciled in a SPADA or an accommodation facility for asylum seekers.
To go further
Prefecture
OFPRA
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