A2.9: Paperwork and bureaucracy

Paperasse et bureaucratie

This lesson covers essential French vocabulary and expressions for handling paperwork and bureaucracy, including requesting a carte Vitale, renewing a permis de travail, and paying cotisations sociales. Key terms include formulaire (formulaire), attestation (attestation), and justificatif de domicile (proof of address).

Vocabulary (14)

 Le formulaire: The form (French)

Le formulaire

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The form Show

 Le dossier: The file (French)

Le dossier

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The file Show

 La demande: The application (French)

La demande

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The application Show

 Une attestation: A certificate (French)

Une attestation

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A certificate Show

 Le service public: public service (French)

Le service public

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Public service Show

 Le délai: the deadline (French)

Le délai

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The deadline Show

 Un acte de mariage: a marriage certificate (French)

Un acte de mariage

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A marriage certificate Show

 Les aides financières: Financial aid (French)

Les aides financières

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Financial aid Show

 Vérifier (to check) - Verb conjugation and exercises

Vérifier

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To check Show

 Déclarer (to declare) - Verb conjugation and exercises

Déclarer

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To declare Show

 Officiel: Official (French)

Officiel

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Official Show

 Administratif: administrative (French)

Administratif

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Administrative Show

 Obligatoire: mandatory (French)

Obligatoire

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Mandatory Show

 La sécurité sociale: social security (French)

La sécurité sociale

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Social security Show

Exercises

These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.

Exercise 1: Dialogue Cards

Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. J'___ vérifié le formulaire avant de le signer.

(I ___ checked the form before signing it.)

2. Tu ___ déclaré ta situation familiale au service public.

(You ___ declared your family situation to the public service.)

3. Il ___ vérifié les délais pour soumettre le dossier officiel.

(He ___ checked the deadlines to submit the official file.)

4. Nous ___ déclaré l'acte de mariage à la mairie hier.

(We ___ declared the marriage certificate at the town hall yesterday.)

Exercise 3: Paperwork for social security

Instruction:

Hier, j' (Vérifier - Passé composé) (Déclarer - Passé composé) mon dossier de sécurité sociale pour être sûr que tout est en ordre. Ensuite, ma collègue Sophie m' (Déclarer - Passé composé) (Vérifier - Passé composé) que les délais pour la demande de permis de travail ont changé. Nous (Vérifier - Passé composé) (Fournir - Passé composé) ensemble les informations sur le site officiel. Le service public nous (Fournir - Passé composé) (Déclarer - Passé composé) un formulaire à remplir. Ce matin, tu (Déclarer - Passé composé) (No hint) ta situation familiale pour bénéficier des aides financières. Il est obligatoire de bien suivre la procédure administrative pour éviter les retards.


Yesterday, I checked my social security file to make sure everything was in order. Then, my colleague Sophie told me that the deadlines for the work permit application have changed. We checked the information together on the official site. The public service provided us with a form to fill out. This morning, you declared your family situation to benefit from financial aid. It is mandatory to carefully follow the administrative procedure to avoid delays.

Verb Tables

Vérifier - Check

Passé composé

  • j'ai vérifié
  • tu as vérifié
  • il/elle/on a vérifié
  • nous avons vérifié
  • vous avez vérifié
  • ils/elles ont vérifié

Déclarer - Declare

Passé composé

  • j'ai déclaré
  • tu as déclaré
  • il/elle/on a déclaré
  • nous avons déclaré
  • vous avez déclaré
  • ils/elles ont déclaré

Fournir - Provide

Passé composé

  • j'ai fourni
  • tu as fourni
  • il/elle/on a fourni
  • nous avons fourni
  • vous avez fourni
  • ils/elles ont fourni

Grammar

It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!

Verb conjugation tables for this lesson

Vérifier to check

passe_compose

French English
(je/j') ai vérifié I checked
(tu) as vérifié you checked
(il/elle/on) a vérifié he/she/one checked
(nous) avons vérifié we checked
(vous) avez vérifié You have checked
(ils/elles) ont vérifié They checked

Exercises and examples phrases

Déclarer to declare

passe_compose

French English
(je/j') ai déclaré I declared
(tu) as déclaré You declared
(il/elle/on) a déclaré he/she/one declared
(nous) avons déclaré we declared
(vous) avez déclaré You declared
(ils/elles) ont déclaré They declared

Exercises and examples phrases

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Introduction to Paperwork and Bureaucracy in French

This lesson focuses on navigating common administrative tasks and official procedures in French, specifically related to social security, work permits, and social contributions. It is designed for A2 level learners aiming to understand and use practical vocabulary and expressions in real-life bureaucratic situations.

Key Topics Covered

1. Requesting a "Carte Vitale" (Health Insurance Card)

Learn how to ask about obtaining your French health insurance card, including necessary documents like identity proofs and the option to complete procedures online or in person.

2. Renewing a Work Permit

Understand the vocabulary and phrases used to discuss renewing your work permit with an official, what documents are required, how long the process takes, and possible fees involved.

3. Paying Social Contributions

Discover how to talk about paying social security contributions, particularly the difference between being an employee (automatic deductions) and working independently (self-declaration and online payment).

Useful Vocabulary and Expressions

  • Formulaire – form
  • Pièce d'identité – identity document
  • Justificatif de domicile – proof of residence
  • Attestation – certificate or letter (e.g., from employer)
  • Déclaration – declaration or statement related to official information
  • Prélèvement automatique – automatic deduction
  • Échelonnement – payment in installments
  • Dossier – file or application

Grammar Focus: Passé Composé with Auxiliary Verb "avoir"

The lesson includes practice with passé composé of common verbs used in bureaucratic contexts, such as vérifier, déclarer, and fournir. For example:

  • J'ai vérifié le formulaire avant de le signer.
  • Tu as déclaré ta situation familiale.
  • Il a fourni un formulaire à remplir.

This tense is frequently used to describe completed actions in official processes.

Contextual Mini-Story

The embedded short story illustrates how these verbs and procedures come together in a realistic administrative setting to help reinforce understanding and vocabulary retention.

Differences Between English and French in Bureaucratic Language

French administrative language often requires specific documents like pièce d'identité (identity card) and justificatif de domicile (proof of residence), which may not have direct, commonly used equivalents in English-speaking countries. Also, the structure of formal dialogue in French uses polite forms such as vous devez (you must) and set phrases like pour cela (for that) that differ from English usage.

Useful phrases to express requests or understanding include:

  • Je voudrais savoir... – I would like to know...
  • Est-il possible de... – Is it possible to...
  • Combien de temps cela prend-il ? – How long does it take?

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