Are you looking for information on how to obtain an Algerian 12S birth certificate? The 12S is a secure civil registry document that is required to apply for an Algerian biometric passport. It can be requested from a local municipality in Algeria or, for Algerians living abroad, through the official portal of the Ministry of the Interior.
Here is the complete process for applying for, tracking, and obtaining your 12S.
What is an Algerian 12S birth certificate?
The 12S birth certificate, also known as the special 12S birth extract, is a secure official document issued from the civil registry.
It contains information regarding the holder’s identity and birth. This data is used, in particular, to establish the national identification number assigned to every Algerian citizen.
The 12S has a unique serial number. It is issued only once and remains valid for life. It is therefore important to keep it in a safe place.
What is the 12S used for?
The 12S is primarily required to:
- obtain a first Algerian biometric passport
- renew a biometric passport when requested by the government
- registering or verifying civil status information
- establishing a national identification number
The 12S should not be confused with a standard birth certificate. It is a secure document intended specifically for biometric procedures.
How do I obtain a 12S birth certificate online?
Algerian nationals born in Algeria and residing abroad can submit an application on the official website of the Algerian Ministry of the Interior:
Submit an official online application for a 12S
Steps for applying for a 12S certificate online
- Go to the official portal.
- Click on “Registration.”
- Enter your last name, first name, and email address.
- Retrieve the access code sent to you by email.
- Log in to the “12S Application” section.
- Fill in the requested information.
- Carefully review each piece of information.
- Submit your request.
- Check the “Application Status” section regularly.
When the document is ready, the applicant is asked to contact the consulate corresponding to their place of registration to pick it up.
What information do you need to provide to apply for the 12S?
To complete a 12S application, please have the following information ready:
- birth name;
- married name for a married woman, if applicable;
- first name(s);
- date of birth;
- place of birth;
- province of birth;
- birth certificate number;
- consular registration number;
- valid email address.
For a minor child, the consular registration number of the father or mother may also be requested.
The information entered must match exactly what appears on the civil registry documents. Any discrepancy in spelling, date, or place of birth may delay the processing of the application.
Where can I find the birth certificate number?
The birth certificate number is usually found:
- on an old birth certificate;
- on a full copy of the birth certificate;
- in the family record book.
If you cannot find this number, contact the Algerian municipality where your birth was registered.
How do I obtain a 12S directly in Algeria?
A person born in Algeria can request their 12S birth certificate from the municipality of their birth.
An Algerian living abroad can also complete this process during a visit to Algeria. It is recommended that you present:
- an Algerian ID;
- a birth certificate;
- the family record book;
- the birth certificate number;
- accurate information about the municipality and wilaya of birth.
Before you go, contact the civil registry office to verify the required documents.
How do I obtain the 12S form from France?
A person born in Algeria and registered with an Algerian consulate in France can submit their application on the official portal:
The document is then forwarded to the consulate specified in the application. When the status update displays a message asking the applicant to contact the consulate, the applicant must generally present an Algerian ID.
You can pick up your passport at the consulate corresponding to your consular registration location: Paris, Créteil, Bobigny, Nanterre, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg, Metz, Grenoble, Montpellier, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Pontoise, Besançon, or Saint-Étienne, depending on where you live.
Always verify which consulate you are registered with before submitting your application.
How do you obtain the 12S if you were born in France?
An Algerian national born in France must apply for the 12S at the Algerian consulate that recorded their birth in the Algerian civil registry.
If the birth has not yet been recorded, the registration must be completed before the 12S can be issued.
The consulate may request, among other things:
- a recent full copy of the French birth certificate
- the family record book
- a consular card
- an Algerian passport or identity card
- proof of Algerian nationality
- civil status documents concerning the parents.
The exact list may vary depending on the consulate and the applicant’s family situation.
How do you apply for a 12S for a minor child?
The father or mother may submit the application on behalf of their minor child. Generally, the following information must be provided:
- the child’s full name
- the child’s date and place of birth
- the child’s birth certificate number
- the father’s or mother’s consular registration number
The parent can normally pick up their minor child’s 12S form by presenting their ID and any supporting documents requested by the consulate.
How do I track a 12S application online?
To track your application:
- go to the official 12S portal
- click on “Track Application”
- enter your email address
- enter your access code
- check the status of your application
Keep the code you received when you registered. It allows you to access all of your applications.
When the message “Contact the relevant consulate to retrieve the 12S” appears, contact or visit your consulate.
How long does it take to obtain the 12S?
The time it takes to obtain the 12S may vary depending on:
- your place of birth
- the relevant consulate
- the accuracy of the information provided
- the need to verify or transcribe the birth certificate
- the number of pending applications.
Therefore, there is no standard processing time for all applications. It is recommended that you submit your request well in advance of applying for a passport.
Is the 12S application free?
Yes, applying for the 12S birth certificate through the Algerian government is free.
Be wary of private platforms that offer this service for a fee. Use only the official portal of the Ministry of the Interior or the services of the relevant Algerian consulate.
Can you download and print the 12S form online?
No. The official portal allows you to submit and track your application, but it does not allow you to directly download the final document.
The 12S must be picked up from the designated government office, typically the local municipality in Algeria or the consulate for those residing abroad.
Is the 12S valid for life?
Yes. The special 12S birth certificate is issued only once and remains valid for life.
It must be kept in a secure place. Before submitting the original to an administrative office, ask if a copy is sufficient.
What should I do if I’ve lost my 12S birth certificate?
If you lose it, contact:
- the municipality where you were born if you were born in Algeria
- the consulate that issued your 12S if you were born or reside abroad
The relevant government agency will explain the procedure for retrieving the document’s reference number or obtaining a replacement.
Never post a photograph of your 12S on the Internet or on social media. This document contains sensitive personal information.
What should you do if there is an error on your 12S?
If your 12S contains an error in your last name, first name, date of birth, or place of birth, contact the civil registry office that issued the document.
Depending on the nature of the error, an administrative or judicial correction of the birth certificate may be necessary. It is best to have the document corrected before applying for a biometric passport.
Can someone else pick up my Form 12S in Algeria?
In certain situations, another person may complete the process with a written power of attorney issued or legalized by the Algerian consular services.
Requirements may vary by municipality. Contact the municipality of birth before drawing up the power of attorney or sending someone there.
What is the difference between a standard birth certificate and the 12S?
A standard birth certificate is used for various routine administrative procedures.
The 12S is a secure document with a unique serial number. It is primarily used to establish the biometric identity of an Algerian citizen and to compile a biometric passport application.
Why is my 12S application on hold?
An application may be delayed or blocked when:
- the birth certificate number is incorrect
- the last name or first name does not match the registry
- the municipality or wilaya of birth is entered incorrectly
- the consular registration is not up to date
- the birth abroad has not been transcribed
- The authorities need to verify a discrepancy between several documents.
In this case, contact the consulate or the appropriate civil registry office with your application reference number.
Tips for Getting Your 12S Form Quickly
Before submitting your application:
- Copy the information from your birth certificate exactly
- verify the certificate number
- enter the municipality and wilaya correctly
- use a valid email address
- check your spam folder
- Keep your access code safe
- Make sure your consular registration is valid
- Check the online status regularly.
Key Points to Remember
The 12S birth certificate is required to obtain an Algerian biometric passport. Individuals born in Algeria and living abroad can apply for it on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior. Individuals born abroad must generally contact the consulate that registered their birth.
The application is free, but the document cannot be downloaded: it must be picked up at the relevant municipality or consulate.
To begin the process, use only the official 12S application website.
The requirements may vary depending on the place of birth, the consulate, and the applicant’s personal circumstances. Always verify the requirements with the relevant government agency.
