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Certyneo
Act 1901 art. 5 · e-creation · received under 5j

Sign a declaration of association online

Declaration of establishment or amendment of the statutes of an association Act 1901 at the prefecture, signed electronically with the same legal value as a paper declaration.

Legal framework
Law of 1901 Art. 5 · Decree of 16 August 1901
Signature level
AES eIDAS recommended
Legal archives
10 years included

What's a statement in the prefecture?

The declaration of incorporation must be made within 3 months of the constituent assembly and must contain: the name, purpose, address of the head office, names/names/professions/domiciles/nationalities of the directors (president, secretary, treasurer), accompanied by a copy of the signed statutes and the PV of the constituent AG. Any subsequent change (change of directors, amendment of statute, transfer of head office, dissolution) must also be declared within 3 months.

Why sign electronically?

Tele-service e-creation Received within 5 days

The e-creation service of service-public.fr (Decree 2009-1090) accepts the upload of electronically signed declarations.

Multi-signatories (Office)

The declaration must be signed by at least 2 executives (chairman + secretary usually). Our stream handles sequential or parallel signature. Each signer receives an individual link secured by OTP SMS.

Compatible with JOAFE format

Once the declaration has been validated, the prefecture publishes the notice in the Official Journal of Business Associations and Foundations (JOAFE).

Enforceable audit trail

Each declaration is accompanied by a PDF of proof: identity of the signatory managers, qualified time stamping, SHA-256 hash, OTP SMS. Opposable in case of challenge to the correctness of the declaration or the quality of the manager.

The four-step procedure

From prep to legal filing in less than five minutes.

  1. 1. Prepare the declaration

    Use CERFA Form 13973 (creation) or 13972 (modification) - mandatory information: name, purpose, seat, identity of the directors (chairman, secretary, treasurer at least).

  2. 2. Connect the pieces

    Certyneo allows each document to be electronically signed and attached to the declaration.

  3. 3. Signature of the office

    Electronic signature of the chairman and the secretary (at least) and qualified time stamp attesting to the authenticity of the signature before deposit at the prefecture.

  4. 4. Upload to e-creation

    Upload the signed PDF + audit trail on the e-creation service service-public.fr. Receipt issued within 5 working days on average.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a prefectural declaration be signed electronically?
Yes Decree No 2009-1090 of 4 September 2009 created the e-creation teleservice which accepts the upload of declarations of associations law 1901 signed electronically with this trail.
How long before you can register an association?
No legal deadline for the creation (the association can exist without being registered but then without legal capacity).
Who has to sign the declaration at the prefecture ?
At least 2 directors: president + secretary (or president + treasurer). The declaration is a commitment by the association and its directors hence the importance of a traceable advance signature.
How long before you get the receipt ?
The receipt proves the declaration and allows the association to acquire legal capacity (opening a bank account, applying for a grant, etc.).
What signature level for the statement?
The EIS is not sufficient for declarations of stakes (important statutory amendments).
Do you have to pay to register a partnership?
No the declaration in the prefecture is free (Art. 5 of the Law of 1901). Only the publication in the Official Gazette (JOAFE) is paid (~ €44 in 2024).
How long do you need to keep the statement and receipt ?
The receipt is the legal proof of the legal existence of the association to be kept carefully. Certyneo automatically archives the signed declaration and the receipt.
Is the electronically signed declaration enforceable against third parties?
Yes publication in the JOAFE after acceptance by the prefecture makes the declaration enforceable against third parties (banks, partners, courts).

See also

Register your association online

Permanent free plan (5 envelopes/month), without credit card. Complies with Law 1901 and eIDAS. Compatible prefectural e-creation teleservice.

Starting for free See the prices