The passport isn't handled by the préfecture but by town halls equipped with a biometric data-collection device. Here are the real waiting times to expect in 2026, the documents you need to gather, and how to book an appointment without waiting until the last minute.
How long does it take to renew a passport in 2026
The total waiting time breaks down into two distinct steps: the time to get a town hall appointment, then the manufacturing time once the file has been submitted. The second step is managed nationally by the Agence nationale des titres sécurisés (ANTS) and varies little between applicants at a given time. The first step, on the other hand, depends entirely on slot availability in the equipped town halls near you, and it's usually this one that makes all the difference between a smooth process and a race against the clock.
During quiet periods (autumn, winter outside the holidays), getting a town hall appointment generally takes anywhere from a few days to two or three weeks depending on the commune, and manufacturing the passport adds one to two more weeks. Ahead of school holidays and in summer, demand surges: the wait for an appointment can exceed a month in large cities, and manufacturing itself slows down under the effect of the national volume being processed.
Waiting times observed as of 1 September 2026
These figures remain indicative and vary a lot depending on the commune, the time of year, and local demand. Use them to gauge your safety margin, not as a guaranteed timeline.
| Situation | Indicative waiting time |
|---|---|
| Town hall appointment, quiet period | A few days to 3 weeks |
| Town hall appointment, high demand (summer, holidays) | 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes more in large cities |
| Manufacturing after filing, quiet period | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Manufacturing after filing, busy period | 3 to 6 weeks |
| "Urgent" temporary passport, imminent departure | 24 to 72 hours, on proof of travel and depending on the préfecture |
| Minor's passport (5-year validity) | Same timeframes as an adult, plan for it separately |
Documents to gather before your appointment
An incomplete file is the number one reason for a town hall to postpone your appointment, which pushes back the start date of the manufacturing timeline just as much. Check every item before showing up.
For a standard renewal (adult)
- The online pre-application form (or, failing that, the paper Cerfa form available at the town hall).
- A recent ID photo meeting current standards, not edited.
- Proof of address less than a year old (or the name of a parent hosting you, with the matching supporting documents).
- Your previous passport, even expired, or a loss or theft declaration if you no longer have it.
- The electronic revenue stamp, whose amount depends on the applicant's age.
For a minor
- The minor must be present regardless of age, along with a legal guardian holding valid ID.
- Proof of parental authority may be required if the family name differs or in specific family situations.
- The revenue stamp amount is reduced for minors, and differs by age bracket (under 15, or between 15 and 17).
How to get a town hall appointment
Only town halls equipped with a biometric data-collection device register passport applications, and you can go to any of them in France, not just the one in your home commune. This freedom of choice is your best lever: if your local town hall is fully booked for a month, widen your search to nearby equipped communes, which are often less in demand.
Most town halls open their slots on their own website or through a shared appointment-booking service. Some préfectures also run a digital assistance desk where a staff member helps you finalize your ANTS pre-application for a passport or an ID card, especially if you're struggling with the online service. This desk doesn't replace the town hall appointment for the biometric filing, but it can unblock a pre-application that went wrong.
The emergency procedure for imminent departure
If travel abroad is planned in the coming days and your passport has expired or is about to expire, some préfectures issue a so-called "urgent" temporary passport on presentation of proof (a plane ticket, a professional summons, a serious medical reason). Slots are very limited and the process varies from one préfecture to another: call the front desk as soon as you identify the need, don't wait until the day before departure.
The right move
How much does a passport cost in 2026
The cost of a passport is the price of the electronic revenue stamp, to be purchased online or at a tobacconist before your town hall appointment. This amount is set nationally and doesn't vary from one commune to another: only the applicant's age changes the fee that applies.
- Adult (18 and over): €86.
- Minor aged 15 to 17: €42.
- Minor under 15: €17.
These amounts are indicative and can change by decree: always check the fee displayed at the time you buy the stamp. A non-compliant photo, retaken on-site by an approved photographer, or having the passport mailed to your home rather than collecting it at the town hall, can sometimes add to the total cost without being part of the revenue stamp itself.
Special cases: loss, theft, and change of situation
A lost or stolen passport can't be "renewed" in the strict sense: you need to start a new application, along with a loss or theft declaration (filed online or at a police station depending on the case). This extra document doesn't lengthen the manufacturing time, but it's required for the file to be accepted at the town hall.
A recent change of name (marriage, divorce, court decision) or address doesn't prevent the application, but you need to bring the matching supporting document (civil status record, updated proof of address) so that the information on the new document is accurate from the first issuance. A file returned over a civil status inconsistency goes back to the bottom of the pile, which can add several weeks to the overall timeline.
What to do if the waiting time exceeds the norm
Contact the town hall where you filed first: it can check the ANTS tracking service and tell you the actual manufacturing status. An administrative block (a document deemed insufficient, an extra check) sometimes triggers a letter or email that went unanswered, which suspends the file without you knowing any other way. See also our guide on how long the administration takes to respond after filing an application — the follow-up logic is similar.
For processes that do go through the préfecture (vehicle registration, driving licence, residence permit), the way it works is different: check our overview of processes that no longer go through the préfecture so you don't get the wrong desk.
You can track digital assistance desks that help with ANTS pre-applications on our live map in Gironde or in Nice.