To modify an appointment made through the reservation module of a prefecture, use the "modify" or "cancel" link contained in the confirmation email received at the time of booking. If the email does not contain a link, or if the appointment is a summons sent by the prefecture (fingerprints, title issuance, interview), you must write to the relevant service to request another date. A missed appointment is handled in the same way, in writing, on the same day. In all cases, do not move an appointment without checking that another slot is available before the expiration of your title or receipt.
Two types of appointments, two ways to modify them
You must first know who set the appointment.
- You booked it yourself on the appointment booking module of the prefecture's website. You received a confirmation email, sometimes a text message. You can generally modify or cancel it online.
- The prefecture summoned you, by mail (sometimes registered), by email, or through your ANEF space (Digital Administration for Foreigners in France): fingerprinting, title issuance, interview, commission. There is no button to move a summons. Only the service that issued it can set another date.
Modify an appointment booked online
Most modules used by prefectures send a confirmation containing a management link. Find this email (check your spam folder, the sender is often a technical address), then:
- Open the modification or cancellation link. Some modules require the reservation number and the email address used.
- Choose a new slot in the calendar, if available. Make sure a slot suits you before canceling the old one: on many modules, modifying means canceling and then rebooking, and if the calendar is empty, you will end up without an appointment.
- Wait for the new confirmation email and keep it. Print it or keep it on your phone for the day of the appointment.
If the email contains no link, or if it states that modification is not possible, use the contact form on the departmental website (address in the form of name-of-department.gouv.fr) indicating the date, time, reason, and number of the initial appointment, then the desired change. The prefecture can then move the appointment or instruct you to book a slot online.
Move a summons received from the prefecture
A summons for fingerprints, title issuance, or an interview corresponds to a slot reserved for you in the service's agenda. If you cannot come, notify as soon as possible, in writing, using the channel indicated on the summons (email address of the service, form, or mail). Specify:
- the reference and date of the summons;
- your foreigner number and your ANEF file number;
- the reason for your inability to attend, with supporting documentation when possible (medical certificate, employer's statement, transport ticket);
- the request for a new date, with broad availability.
For a title issuance, the manufactured title remains at the prefecture, a new summons will be sent to you, or the site will invite you to book a "title collection" slot. For a naturalization interview, the summons often specifies the procedure to follow in case of inability to attend, read it in full. Our article why the prefecture summons me describes the different types of summons and the documents to bring.
You missed your appointment
Showing up without an appointment the next day will not work; the reception will send you away. The procedure to follow:
- On the same day, write to the relevant service (contact form or address on the summons). Indicate the reference of the appointment, explain the absence in one or two sentences, attach supporting documentation if you have one, and request a new date. A template is included in our article on the email request for an appointment.
- In parallel, if the booking module offers the same reason, take a slot without waiting for a response.
- If your receipt or title expires in the meantime, request a certificate of extension of instruction from your ANEF space, which maintains your rights. The procedure is explained on our page receipt and certificate.
A missed appointment does not incur a penalty in itself. The risk is the delay: finding a slot can take weeks, and during this time your situation may become irregular if nothing extends your right to stay. Hence the importance of acting on the same day.
No slot available to reschedule an appointment
After a modification or cancellation, the calendar is sometimes empty. Prefectures release slots online in batches, and cancellations by other users free up slots at any time. Take a dated screenshot with each unsuccessful attempt. To be notified as soon as a spot opens up at your prefecture, you can create an alert by email or SMS.
If the blockage lasts several weeks, write to the prefect by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, attaching your screenshots. The Council of State ruled on June 10, 2020 (n° 435594) that a prefecture must offer an alternative when online appointment booking is permanently impossible, and the summary "useful measures" (article L. 521-3 of the Code of Administrative Justice) allows the judge to order the issuance of an appointment. The complete procedure is detailed in our article on booking an appointment at the prefecture.
Best practices before modifying an appointment
- For a renewal, the application must be made between 4 months and 2 months before the expiration of the title. If moving makes you miss this window, apply through the normal channel (usually ANEF) and handle the physical appointment afterward.
- Do not book multiple slots "just in case." Some modules cancel duplicates, and you could lose everything.
- If you will not come, cancel rather than let the slot go to waste. It will be made available online for someone else. The procedure is described in cancelling an appointment at the prefecture.
- Keep a record of each exchange: confirmation emails, screenshots, acknowledgments of receipt of forms.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the reason for the appointment, and not just the date?
Rarely online. The reason determines the service and the duration of the slot. Cancel and rebook with the correct reason, or write to the service.
Can I send someone in my place?
No for fingerprints and title issuance, which require your presence. For a file submission, the prefecture's site specifies if a proxy is accepted, which is the exception.
I lost the confirmation email, how can I find my appointment?
Check your spam folder with the name of the prefecture or the word "appointment." If not, contact the service via the form providing your name, foreigner number, and approximate date. Do not take a second one before receiving a response.
How many times can an appointment be moved?
The module usually does not set a limit, but each move exposes you to an empty calendar. Move once, for a serious reason.
