...My current problem is that I have recently changed address, and departments. I believe I need to inform someone that I have done this.... and I think I need to tell the prefecture (that's what OFII told me). But the prefecture refuse to answer any questions about it and insist I need to make an appointment to ask how to do this.

Does anyone know how to do this? I'm predicting that I just need to post a certain number of documents to the prefecture, and I'm predicting it will be my new prefecture, not my old one. Has anyone else done this? ...

Miriam

We have not changed our address officially before. However, I have dealt with our Préfecture many, many times to renew our Carte de Sejour, exchange our US drivers license for a French permit de conduire, etc.

I have always gone to the Préfecture, though it is a 75 minute drive. They respond well to my French in person and, especially in the first few years, it was much easier for me to understand them in person. I would not attempt to post something to the Préfecture and hope that they understand what to do with it and/or that they would contact me if what I sent wasn't exactly what they expected / perfect.

I would take the time to go there, bring all of the standard documents (and copies), all of the esoteric documents (and copies) that I could think of, and make sure I have filled out the correct form perfectly before departing. It's time well spent, I think, vs the alternatives.

Best of luck.

Ray

 

Some Prefectures and Mairies have become extremely busy and will only deal with just abut anything via RDV. That, of course, is exacerbated by the summer vacation period.

As I understand it, you can do your renewal via your new Prefecture without informing your previous Prefecture, but it would be worth checking with them just in case as they may need to request your dossier be transferred - if that requires a rdv, just do it, and be sure to take your current documentation (passport with visa and whatever you have from your old Prefecture and OFII, plus most importantly proof of address with you (recent utilities bill, quittance de loyer - the usual routine) - you normally require that for all dealings with the administration, even if you haven't moved.

Not really impossible, it's simply that your not familiar with processes here whereas back home most of the processes are so familiar they don't seem odd in any way (that said, overseas students in Australia also have to go through various processes that you as an Australian have no idea about)

 

You may not need to alert the prefecture that you've changed addresses if you are on a one year CDS. (At least, in my experience--I got sent away from the Nanterre prefecture when I tried to change mine. I'm pretty sure it's only for multiple-year CDS holders.) If I were you, I'd just make a renewal appointment at the new prefecture and bring all the appropriate proof of address.

To be sure, though, it wouldn't hurt to make an appointment and bring the documents they request for a changement d'adresse (a list should be on their website).