[2] Identity cards, valid for a period of 10 years, are issued by the local préfecture, sous-préfecture, mairie (in France) or in French consulates (abroad) free of charge.

Following defeat in the Battle of France, the Vichy government created a new national identity card under the law of October 27, 1940.

Under the decree 55-1397 of October 22, 1955[3] a revised non-compulsory card, the carte nationale d'identité (CNI) was introduced, and the central records abandoned.

With the introduction of lamination in 1988 it was renamed the carte nationale d’identité sécurisée (CNIS) (secure national identity card).

[5] In practice, the ID card can often be used for various identification purposes worldwide, such as for age verification in bars or checking in at hotels.

[13] Prior to 1 January 2013, unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 who travelled outside metropolitan France using their French national identity cards were required to obtain an autorisation de sortie du territoire (AST).

On 1 January 2013, the obligation to obtain an AST was removed, and all minors are now able solely to use their French national identity cards when leaving/re-entering France without a legal ascendant.

[15] However, whilst the Border Police unit of the French National Police no longer require an AST from the legal ascendant(s) of an unaccompanied minor when he/she leaves or re-enters France, the border authorities of other countries may require the minor to present some form of written approval from his/her legal ascendant(s) before admitting him/her.

Prior to 1 January 2014, French national identity cards were issued with a maximum period of validity of 10 years.