When My Wedding Day is September 11th

Understanding Names and Common Registration Terms in French

When filling out forms or registering for services in France, you’ll often come across specific French terms related to personal information. If you're new to the language, understanding these terms can save you from potential confusion. Here’s a guide to help you navigate these common registration words with ease.

Common Registration Terms and Their Meanings

Common Registration Terms and Their Meanings

🔵  Prénom – First name (Given name)

Example: If your name is Marie Dupont, "Marie" is your prénom.

🔵  Nom – Last name (Family name / Surname)

Example: If your name is Marie Dupont, "Dupont" is your nom.

🔵  Nom de famille – Family name (Same as "Nom")

This is sometimes used instead of just "Nom" on forms.

🔵  Nom de naissance – Birth name (Maiden name)

This refers to the last name you were given at birth, which may be different if you changed your name after marriage.

🔵 Nom d’épouse – Married name (Wife’s last name after marriage)
This refers to the surname a married woman may take from her husband.

🔵  Nom d'usage – Used name / Preferred name

This is a name you commonly use but isn’t necessarily your legal name. 

For example, a married woman might use her husband’s last name here.

🔵  Date de naissance – Date of birth

This is formatted as DD/MM/YYYY in France. 

For example, 12/07/1990 (July 12, 1990).

🔵  Lieu de naissance – Place of birth

This refers to the city and country where you were born.

🔵  Nationalité – Nationality

Example: Française (French), Thaïlandaise (Thai), Anglaise (English).

🔵  Sexe – Gender

Often listed as H (Homme - Male) or F (Femme - Female).

🔵  Situation familiale – Marital status

Options may include: 

• Célibataire (Single)
• Marié(e) (Married)
• Divorcé(e) (Divorced)
• Veuf/Veuve (Widowed)

🔵 Adresse de résidence – Residential address
This refers to your current home address.

🔵 Adresse e-mail – Email address
This is where you enter your electronic mail (email) address for communication.

🔵 Numéro de téléphone – Phone number
This is where you provide your contact telephone number. In France, phone numbers typically follow this format: 06 12 34 56 78 for mobile numbers or 01 23 45 67 89 for landlines.

Why Understanding These Terms is Important

If you’re moving to France or dealing with French administrative processes, you’ll encounter these terms regularly. Whether registering for a bank account, filling out government documents, or signing up for a service online, knowing these words will make the process smoother.

Additionally, different institutions may use slightly different variations of these terms, but the meanings remain the same. Always double-check the information you enter to ensure it matches your official documents.

Final Thoughts

Names and identity details are essential in any registration process. Learning these French terms will help you better understand forms and avoid errors when providing personal information. If you ever feel uncertain, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or use online translation tools for assistance.

Do you have any experiences or challenges with filling out forms in French? Share your thoughts in the comments!