Subsection 5: The electronic portal

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Article Annexe art. R814-58-6

French Commercial codeIn force

Updated 4 Nov 2023

ANNEX TO ARTICLE R. 814-58-6 OF THE COMMERCIAL CODE

Data and information that may be recorded in the electronic portal with regard to third parties who receive or issue the documents referred to in the second paragraph of Article L. 814-13


Pieces to enclose for individuals not operating a sole proprietorship


1° A copy of both sides of one of the following valid identity documents:

- French or foreign national identity card;

- French or foreign passport;

- French or foreign driving licence;

- veteran's card issued by the French authorities;

- identity card or movement card issued by the French military authorities ;

- carte de séjour temporaire, carte de résident, carte de ressortissant d'un etat membre de l'Union européenne ou de l'Espace économique européen;

2° An official document attesting to professional activity, where applicable;

3° Proof of identity of the natural person who has been given authority to draw up the declaration in the name and on behalf of the declarant;

4° Bank details.


Pieces to enclose for a sole proprietorship


1° One of the following identification documents:

- original extract attesting to the legal existence of the company drawn up by the relevant registry office and dating back less than three months;

- company certificate issued by INSEE and including the identification numbers;

- company identification card issued by the Chamber of Trades;

2° Proof of identity of the natural person who has been given authority to draw up the declaration in the name and on behalf of the declarant;

3° Bank details.


Pieces to enclose for a legal entity governed by private law


1° One of the following identification documents:

- original extract attesting to the legal existence of the company drawn up by the competent registry office and dating back less than three months;

- original extract of registration in the trade register less than three months old;

- newspaper of legal announcements dating back less than two years mentioning the name of the legal representative and the address of the registered office of the legal entity ;

- the articles of association or any other supporting documents attesting to the legal existence of the legal entity and showing the name of its legal representative, the address of its registered office and proof of the declaration with the competent bodies;

2° Proof of identity of the natural person who has been given, where applicable, authority to draw up the declaration in the name and on behalf of the legal entity;

3° Bank details.


Documents to be attached for a legal entity governed by public law other than the State or local authorities


1° The articles of association established by law, the regulations or the deliberations and constituent agreements;

2° A document issued by the competent body attesting to the capacity of the author of the declaration to commit the legal entity;

3° Proof of identity of the natural person who has been given power to draw up the declaration in the name and on behalf of the legal entity;

4° Bank details.


Documents to be attached for the State and local authorities


1° A document issued by the competent body attesting to the capacity of the author of the declaration to commit the legal entity;

2° Proof of identity of the natural person empowered to draw up the declaration in the name and on behalf of the legal entity;

3° Bank details.

Mariela Petrova

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Common Questions

Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In Corporate Practice

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Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

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