What is a 12S birth certificate?
The 12S, or special 12S birth certificate, is an official document issued from the official civil registry.
It is produced via a secure IT platform and bears a serial number to ensure its traceability.
It should therefore not be confused with a standard birth certificate extract.
What is the 12S used for?
The 12S is used, in particular, to compile an application for an Algerian biometric passport.
For Algerians living abroad, the Ministry of the Interior lists the following documents as required for the passport application:
• the special 12S birth certificate extract
• a valid consular registration card
• proof of residence abroad
• as well as any other documents required depending on the individual’s circumstances.
What information should you prepare before applying?
For an online 12S application, please prepare:
- your full name
- your date and place of birth
- your municipality and wilaya of birth
- your birth certificate number
- your consular registration number
- for a minor, the consular registration number of the father or mother.
Depending on your circumstances, the consulate may also request your family record book, a full copy of your birth certificate or your parents’ birth certificates. The birth certificates of your father and grandfather, if they were born in Algeria, may be required for the purposes of transcription or to prove Algerian nationality.
Check the requirements of your consulate before starting the process.
Official sources:
Algerian Consulate in Nantes and Algerian Consulate-General in Geneva.
At a glance: which procedure applies to your situation?
| Your situation | Can you obtain a 12S birth certificate? | Steps to follow |
|---|---|---|
| You were born in Algeria and live abroad | Yes | If you are registered with an Algerian consulate, submit your application via the Ministry of the Interior’s official platform. |
| You were born abroad and your birth has already been recorded in the Algerian civil register | Yes | Contact the relevant Algerian consulate or embassy to obtain your 12S birth certificate. |
| You were born abroad and your birth has not yet been recorded in the Algerian civil register | Not immediately | You must first have your birth certificate registered with the Algerian consular authorities before you can apply for a 12S certificate. |
| You are applying on behalf of a minor | Yes | The parent or legal guardian must submit the application and provide the required supporting documents. |
Apply for your 12S birth certificate online
Algerian nationals living abroad who were born in Algeria can apply for a special 12S birth certificate online via the Ministry of the Interior’s official platform.
Once the application has been processed, the 12S certificate must be collected in accordance with the applicable procedure from the relevant consular mission.
Official website for applying for the 12S
Official platform of the Ministry of the Interior:
https://demande12s.interieur.gov.dz/fr/
Direct link to the 12S application:
https://demande12s.interieur.gov.dz/fr/WFDemande.aspx
How do I apply?
The platform allows you, in particular, to:
- create an account using a valid email address
- obtain the login details for the service
- submit a 12S application online
- access your account to view your application.
When registering, the applicant must provide their surname, first name and a valid email address. Access to the 12S application then requires authentication via email and a verification code.
Please note
The 12S, or special birth certificate 12S, is an official civil status document. It is issued on the basis of the civil status register of births and bears a serial number to ensure its traceability.
To avoid intermediary or unofficial websites, always use the government platform with the domain interieur.gov.dz.
If you were born abroad: what is the procedure?
If you were born in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States or another country, the procedure for obtaining a 12S birth certificate differs from that applicable to people born in Algeria.
Your birth must first be registered in the Algerian civil registry.
If your birth has already been recorded in the Algerian civil registry, you can contact the relevant Algerian consulate or embassy to find out the procedure for obtaining the 12S certificate.
If your birth has never been registered, you will generally need to start by applying to have your foreign birth certificate registered with the relevant Algerian diplomatic or consular mission.
Once the registration has been completed and your Algerian civil status established, your 12S birth certificate can be issued in accordance with the procedure applicable to your situation.
The procedures and documents required may vary depending on the country and the consular mission. You should therefore always check the official website of the Algerian consulate or embassy responsible for your area before submitting your application.
What documents do you need to prepare?
The exact list depends on your circumstances and the relevant consulate.
| Document or information | Born in Algeria | Born abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Algerian identity document | Depending on the procedure | Generally required depending on the situation |
| Consular registration | May be required | May be required |
| Birth certificate | Civil status information to be provided | A full copy of the foreign birth certificate is generally required for transcription |
| Documents relating to the parents | Depending on the circumstances | May be requested to verify parentage and civil status |
| Valid email address | Required for the online application | Depending on the consulate’s procedure |
| Additional supporting documents | Depending on the application | Depending on the application and the consular representation |
Before compiling your application, always check the official list of supporting documents published by the relevant Algerian consulate or embassy.
How can you track your 12S application?
For applications submitted via the Ministry of the Interior’s official platform, you can track your application via your online account.
Log in using your account details to view your submitted applications and their current status.
Official portal for 12S applications:
https://demande12s.interieur.gov.dz/fr/
Key points
- Born in Algeria and living abroad: you can apply for a 12S certificate online provided you meet the conditions set out on the platform.
- Born abroad with a birth already registered: contact the relevant Algerian consulate or embassy.
- Born abroad without a registered birth: start by having your foreign birth certificate registered with the Algerian civil registry.
If you were born in Algeria: how do you apply for your 12S?
If you were born in Algeria and live abroad, you can apply for your 12S form online via the Ministry of the Interior’s official platform.
Step 1: Access the official portal
Go to the official platform:
https://demande12s.interieur.gov.dz/fr/
Step 2: Register
When registering, you must provide the following details:
- your surname
- your first name
- your email address.
The information required to access the service will then be sent to you electronically.
Remember to check your spam folder if you do not receive the expected message.
Step 3: Submit your 12S application
Log in to your account using the login details or access information requested by the platform.
Then complete the required details, check the information you have entered and submit your application.
Step 4: Track the progress of your application
The platform allows you to view your registered applications and track their progress.
Keep the information or reference numbers associated with your application in a safe place.
Step 5: Collect your 12S birth certificate
Once the application has been processed by the relevant authorities, the document is forwarded to the relevant consular representation in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
The applicant may then collect their 12S from the relevant consulate, subject to the necessary administrative checks.
Important
This online procedure mainly applies to Algerian nationals born in Algeria and residing abroad.
If you were born abroad, the procedure may differ, particularly depending on whether your birth has already been registered in the Algerian civil registry.
Can I apply for a relative’s 12S certificate?
Yes.
The official platform states that it is possible to request up to 10 birth certificates for relatives, for example for a father, mother, brother, sister or child.
However, the holder’s presence is required when collecting the certificate.
How long does it take to obtain a 12S?
There is no single processing time applicable to all applications.
Processing times may depend, in particular, on:
- the place of birth
- the availability of civil registry records
- the accuracy of the information provided
- consular registration
- any necessary transcription for people born abroad.
Use the official tracking service rather than relying on an estimated processing time.
What should you do if your 12S application is on hold?
If your 12S application is not progressing or if you encounter any difficulties, please carry out the following checks:
- check the status of your application on the official platform;
- check the email address used during registration, as well as your spam folder;
- carefully check the personal details entered in your file;
- check that your consular registration is up to date, where required;
- contact the civil status department at your consulate if the issue persists.
You can also use the contact address provided for the 12S service:
When contacting the authorities, please ensure you provide the information needed to identify your application, without unnecessarily sending sensitive personal data by email.
Practical advice
Avoid submitting several identical requests in succession if a request is already being processed. Start by checking its status or contact the relevant department to avoid complicating the processing of your application.
What should you do if you’ve lost your access code?
The official platform has a ‘Forgotten password’ feature that allows you to regain access to your account.
Go directly to:
https://demande12s.interieur.gov.dz/fr/
What should you do if there is an error on your 12S form?
If you notice an error on your 12S birth certificate, particularly regarding:
- your surname
- your first name
- your date of birth
- your place of birth
- your parentage
- or any other civil status information
Contact the relevant civil registry office as soon as possible to request verification or correction of the information in question.
Avoid using a 12S form containing an error when applying for a passport, identity card or for any other administrative procedure, as any inconsistency between your documents may result in your application being rejected or processing being delayed.
Depending on the nature of the error, the authorities may request additional supporting documents.
FAQs on the 12S birth certificate
What is the official website for applying for a 12S?
Applications are made via the Ministry of the Interior’s platform:
https://demande12s.interieur.gov.dz/fr/
Can I apply for a 12S online from abroad?
Yes, if you were born in Algeria and are registered with an Algerian consulate. The document will be sent to the consulate for collection.
I was born abroad: how do I obtain my 12S?
Your birth must first be registered with the Algerian civil registry. The application must then be made to the consulate responsible for your place of birth.
Is the 12S form compulsory for an Algerian biometric passport?
Yes. It is one of the documents required to apply for a biometric passport.
How can I track my application?
Use the ‘Track your application’ section with your email address and access code.
Can I submit multiple applications using the same account?
Yes. The platform allows you to apply for up to ten birth certificates, including for relatives. Please check with the consulate regarding collection requirements.
I haven’t received my access code. What should I do?
Check your junk mail folder. The official platform states that some email providers may automatically classify this email as spam.
Official links
- Request a birth certificate 12S
- Go directly to the form
- View the official help guide for the 12S portal
- Access the services of the Ministry of the Interior
- Visit the Ministry of the Interior’s website
In summary
To obtain your 12S birth certificate from abroad, the procedure depends mainly on your place of birth:
- Ifyou were born in Algeria: you can apply online via the Ministry of the Interior’s official platform if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- If you were born abroad: first check that your birth has been registered with the Algerian civil registry. If this is not the case, this registration will generally need to be completed before the 12S certificate can be issued.
Apply for your 12S online
Official website of the Ministry of the Interior:
https://demande12s.interieur.gov.dz/fr/
To avoid errors or unnecessary steps, use only the official websites of the Algerian authorities and also check the website of your consulate or embassy to find out the specific procedures applicable to your situation.
