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Which prefecture do I depend on? Find your answer

19 Apr 2025·4 min read
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You reside in France and are wondering which prefecture you depend on for your administrative procedures? It is essential to know the prefecture associated with your municipality of residence to carry out various formalities such as obtaining residence permits, driving licenses, or identity cards.

which prefecture do I depend on

The French territory is divided into departments, each having a main prefecture. Your municipality automatically determines the competent prefecture for your procedures. We guide you to easily identify your prefecture and offer a notification service to simplify appointment scheduling on rendezvousprefecture.com.

Your appointment at the prefecture is waiting for you! Sign up on rendezvousprefecture.com and receive direct notifications by email and SMS as soon as slots open up.

Key points to remember

  • Identify the prefecture based on your place of residence
  • Understand the importance of the prefecture for your administrative procedures
  • Discover how our service can assist you
  • Simplify your procedures with our notification system
  • Sign up now on rendezvousprefecture.com

Understanding the prefecture system in France

Prefectures are key institutions in the representation of the State in France. They play an essential role in the administration of departments.

What is a prefecture and its role

A prefecture is the administration that represents the State at the departmental level. Led by a prefect appointed by the President of the Republic, it carries out crucial missions such as issuing documents (identity cards, passports, driving licenses) and organizing elections.

Territorial organization of prefectures and sub-prefectures

The French territory is divided into networks of administrative districts. Each department has a main prefecture, usually located in the capital city. For example, the Seine-Saint-Denis department consists of three districts: Bobigny, Le Raincy, and Saint-Denis. The Bobigny district manages nine municipalities.

DepartmentPrefectureContact Information
Seine-Saint-DenisBobignyOpening hours: Monday to Friday
Example DepartmentExample PrefectureExample Contact Information

prefecture

Which prefecture do I depend on? The determining criterion

Your municipality of residence is the main criterion for identifying your prefecture. Indeed, each French municipality, including deuil-la-barre, is administratively attached either to the main prefecture of the department or to a specific sub-prefecture.

The municipality of residence as the main factor

The main criterion for determining which prefecture you depend on is your official municipality of residence, the one listed on your proof of residence. Lists of municipalities attached to each prefecture or sub-prefecture are available on the official websites of departmental prefectures.

Special cases and exceptions

Some special cases exist, particularly for specific procedures such as residence permit applications, which may be centralized in a single prefecture of the department. For example, if you live in one of the municipalities of Val d'Oise, you can go to either the PREFECTURE OF VAL D'OISE in Cergy-Pontoise or the SUB-PREFECTURE OF SARCELLES.

Municipality of residencePrefecture or sub-prefectureAddress
Municipalities of Val d'OisePREFECTURE OF VAL D'OISE5, avenue Bernard HIRSCH – CS20105 – 95010 CERGY-PONTOISE CEDEX
Some municipalitiesSUB-PREFECTURE OF SARCELLES1, boulevard François Mitterrand – CS80025 – 95842 SARCELLES

How to easily find your prefecture

Finding your prefecture can be simple if you know where to look. Indeed, several methods allow you to quickly identify the prefecture you depend on.

Search by department and municipality

To find your prefecture, you can search by department and municipality. Consult the website of your departmental prefecture, which usually has a section dedicated to the attachment of municipalities. You can also use the official online search tools of the French government.

prefecture

Online resources to identify your prefecture

The official social media accounts of the prefectures regularly share information about the municipalities they cover. You can also visit the municipal websites, which generally indicate which prefecture the municipality depends on and provide useful contact details and links. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact your town hall directly.

Making an appointment at your prefecture

Prefectures have set up an online appointment system to streamline procedures. Appointments can be made from Monday to Friday during opening hours.

online prefecture appointment

Learn more

Appointment scheduling procedure

To make an appointment, you must visit the official website of your prefecture. Physical reception is usually by prior appointment for most administrative procedures.

Notification service for available slots

Appointment slots are often in high demand. To facilitate your process, sign up on rendezvousprefecture.com to receive notifications by email and SMS as soon as a slot becomes available.

Conclusion: the importance of knowing your prefecture

Identifying your prefecture simplifies your administrative formalities. Keep the contact information of your prefecture safe and regularly check their information section. The reception hours are generally from Monday to Friday. Follow the official social media accounts to stay informed. Don’t forget that rendezvousprefecture.com can assist you.

FAQ

How do I know which prefecture I depend on?

You can check the information on the Ministry of the Interior's website or on the official social media accounts of the prefectures for up-to-date information.

What are the official social media accounts of the prefectures?

Prefectures are present on various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. You can find them by searching with the name of your prefecture.

How to identify my prefecture based on my municipality of residence?

You can identify your prefecture by consulting the Ministry of the Interior's website or by checking the contact information of your municipality.

What are the criteria for determining the prefecture I depend on?

The main criterion is your municipality of residence. You can also check information about departments and sub-prefectures.

How to make an appointment at my prefecture?

You can make an appointment online on your prefecture's website or by calling their booking service. Available slots are usually notified on social media or by email. For those interested in the prefecture recruitment, it is advisable to regularly check this information.

What are the opening days of the prefectures?

Prefectures are generally open from Monday to Friday. You can check the specific opening hours on your prefecture's website.

How to obtain information about the services offered by my prefecture?

You can obtain information by consulting your prefecture's website, contacting them directly, or visiting their "welcome" section for foreigners.

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