Buying
This service allows you to apply for a vehicle registration certificate (carte grise) to be issued in your name, following the purchase of the vehicle. This online service corresponds to a request to change the holder.
Under the regulations, you have a period of one month from the date declared by the seller as the date on which the vehicle was sold to register the vehicle in your name.
The former owner must have given you the "transfer code", which that person received when declaring the vehicle's sale online. You will be asked for this code when you apply for registration.
The transfer code
- You can request it from the vehicle's former owner, if they have completed their declaration of transfer.
- You can continue with your request if the declaration of transfer from the former owner has already been received by the processing department. You will be asked to fill out some of the information on the crossed-out registration certificate received from the previous owner.
- You can contact an authorised professional to register your request. You will need to present the crossed-out registration certificate received from the previous owner and proof of the transfer of vehicle ownership (e.g. invoice or certificate of sale).
Acceptable forms of proof of address
- A title deed
- A tax or non-tax notice for the previous year (income tax, council tax, or property tax)
- A receipt for rent or for a gas, electricity, water, or telephone (landline or mobile) bill
- proof of home insurance
In the case of lodgers, we recommend that you send the following documents in addition to the proof of address in the name of the lodger:
- The host's identity document
- Proof of lodging
- The host's identity document
How do I apply online?
Read more about the process:
Please note: Your request will not be processed if another online service is in progress for the vehicle.
Cases that cannot be handled by this service:
- Buying a new vehicle
- Buying a leased vehicle
- Buying a demonstration vehicle
- Buying a temporary in-transit vehicle
- Diplomatic vehicle
- Imported vehicle
- Vehicle for use in the Pays de Gex or Haute-Savoie tax-free zones
If none of these apply to you, please contact an authorised automotive professional or, if another situation applies, try the service "Make another request".
Yes. It is possible to register a vehicle in the name of multiple individuals and/or legal entities, whether or not they share the same address.
One of them is designated as the main registrant of the registration certificate, and the others as co-registrants.
The details of each of the co-registrants are recorded in the SIV, but not all of them appear on the registration certificate. The certificate shows the last and first names of the main registrant and the first co-registrant, as well as the main registrant's address.
The registration certificate shows:
- The last name, first name and address of the main registrant, in section C.1
- The last and first name (since 21 March 2011) of the first co-registrant next to section C.4.1, which specifies the number of registrants on the registration certificate in the case of co-ownership.
In the case of a married woman, the last name that must appear on the certificate in the co-registrant field is the birth name (i.e. base name) and not the customary name (i.e. married name).
The registration certificate is not, however, a title deed.
Request a registration
- Registrants/co-registrants married under community property
The application may be submitted by either spouse, and the signature of one is binding on the other.
If the application is filed by one spouse in their own name and they are not the purchaser of the vehicle, a statement signed by the other spouse must be submitted.
- Registrants/co-registrants not married under community property
The application must be signed by all the co-owners, unless one of them has been authorised to do so by mandate.
Sending the registration certificate
- Registrants/co-registrants married under community property
- Recipient: The registrant will receive the certificate at their address by delivery with signature confirmation.
- Non-recipient: The co-registrant is authorised to collect the certificate from the Post Office on presentation of a power of attorney (presenting the identity documents of the principal and the authorised representative)
- Registrants/co-registrants not married under community property
- Recipient: The registrant will receive the certificate at their address by delivery with signature confirmation.
- Non-recipient: The co-registrant is authorised to collect the certificate from the Post Office on presentation of a power of attorney (presenting the identity documents of the principal and the authorised representative)
Sale of the vehicle
- Registrants/co-registrants married under community property
The spouses each have the power to administer the joint property alone. The signature of only one of the spouses on the certificate of transfer is sufficient
- Registrants/co-registrants not married under community property
All co-owners must sign the sale agreement.
Deaths
- Registrants/co-registrants married under community property
In the event of the death of the joint registrant, the surviving spouse/registrant must declare the death and change their marital status by presenting the family record book (“livret de famille”) certifying the death.
- Registrants/co-registrants not married under community property
If the registrant or co-registrant dies, the co-owner who inherits the vehicle may request a change of registrant in their name by presenting a testamentary or notarial deed attesting to the allocation of the vehicle.
Divorce
- Registrants/co-registrants married under community property
In the event of divorce, the registrant or co-registrant spouse who is keeping the vehicle must declare a change of marital status by presenting a divorce decree, a division agreement or a written agreement between the spouses.
- Registrants/co-registrants not married under community property
Married people living separately: In the event of divorce, if the divorce decree or an agreement between the spouses assigns the vehicle to one of them, a change of registrant must be made by presenting the decree or agreement.
Excluding special provisions that apply to "temporary in-transit", hired, and diplomatic vehicles.
In the case of a married woman who is a co-registrant, the family name (or maiden name) of the co-registrant appears on the vehicle registration certificate.
Since 21 March 2011, the first name of the co-registrant has also been printed on the registration certificate.
Registration certificates are issued free of charge in the event of divorce (the fee for a registration certificate is waived). However, the fee for delivery of the registration certificate is still owed.
There is no time limit for amending the registration certificate if the amendment is the result of a change in marital status. A new registration certificate will be issued upon presentation of proof of the change in marital status. Depending on the divorce decree, you may choose to use your maiden name or keep your married name.
Allocation to the applicant must be expressly stated in the divorce decree or be the subject of a division agreement or written agreement between the spouses (disclaimer or amicable transfer).
This involves a change in registrant.
The person who is getting the vehicle in their own name must pay the registration fees, just like when a vehicle is transferred to a third party.
This involves a change of registrant, done using the "Buying or receiving a used vehicle" online service.
The spouse who is becoming the sole registrant must pay the fees again as if it were a transfer between third parties.
An online declaration of transfer must also be drawn up.
If the vehicle was registered under the old system, a new SIV number will be issued at the same time.
In the case of SIV registration, the number remains the same and the new registrant can keep the vehicle's plates.
When your personal circumstances change, your vehicle registration document (carte grise) needs to be updated.
Information needed to carry out the procedure:
- Proof of address less than six months old
- Cerfa 13750*05
- A copy of the vehicle registration document (carte grise)
- Proof of the addition or removal of a co-registrant, depending on the situation (marriage, divorce or spouse’s death)
How do I apply online?
The application is filed online, but if you need assistance, you can take your supporting documents to a Point Numérique, where someone will help you through the process.
- Step 1: Log in to your FranceConnect account
- Step 2: Click on “New Request”
- Step 3: Select the "Make another request" service
- Step 4: Follow the instructions
- Step 5: Download the summary of your service
You have one month to register the vehicle in your name from the date of transfer shown on the crossed-out, signed vehicle registration document.
Information needed to carry out the procedure:
- Cerfa 15776*01 completed with the vendor/donor
- A FranceConnect account
- The transfer code provided by the seller of the vehicle.
- The detailed CSA (vehicle lien release)
- A credit/debit card to pay the fees
If you do not have the transfer code, you will be asked for the certificate number and date of the vehicle registration document (carte grise).
How do I apply online?
- Step 1: Log in to your FranceConnect account
- Step 2: Click on “New Request”
- Step 3: Select the service “Buying or receiving a used vehicle”
- Step 4: Follow the instructions
- Step 5: Download the provisional registration certificate
Access the online service:
Buying or receiving a used vehicle