An association can exist without being registered. However, to obtain legal capacity, it is essential to proceed with the initial declaration of your association. This will enable it to enter into contracts with third parties, take legal action in its own name, and above all receive subsidies. By acquiring legal personality, your association will become autonomous, and will be able to distinguish itself from its members and managers.
The initial registration of an association is governed by legislation. In this article, you will discover the basic steps to follow.
Choose your association type
Before you start the registration process, you need to decide on the type of association you want to create. In France, there are different types of association: associations under common law (associations loi 1901), registered associations, approved associations, associations recognized as being of public utility... Choose the one that best suits your needs.
Define your association's objectives
Clearly identify your association's objectives, mission and planned activities. This will be a great help when it comes to drawing up the articles of association, which are a crucial part of creating an association.
Draft your articles of association
The articles of association describe precisely the structure and operating procedures of your association. They must comply with the law and include certain mandatory clauses. You can obtain model articles of association from various sources.
Call a general meeting
Organize a founding general meeting with at least two founding members. At this meeting, the founding members must adopt the articles of association, elect the officers (president, treasurer, secretary, etc.) and take all the decisions required to create the association.
Register your association
Once the articles of association have been drawn up and approved at the general meeting, you are ready to register your association with the Registrar of Associations.
This declaration can be made on site, by post or online using the e-création teleservice. This service enables you not only to declare the creation of your association, but also to request publication in the JOAFE (Journal officiel des associations et fondations d'entreprise).
If you file online, you will be asked to submit the following documents in digital format:
- the minutes of the founding meeting (or an extract), dated and signed, bearing the first and last names of the signatory,
- articles of association dated and signed by at least two directors, with their full names and functions,
- a list of directors, giving their names, professions, addresses and nationalities.
If applicable :
- the list of member associations,
- a mandate bearing the signature of an officer,
- a stamped envelope at the current rate.
- The declaration must state the name of the association, its purpose, the address of its registered office and the date of the founding meeting.
Publish the ad in the Official Journal
Once your association has been registered, it must be published in the JOAFE. In practice, this publication is included in the online registration procedure and is free of charge. Publication enables you to obtain an RNA (Répertoire National des Associations) number , which legally certifies the existence of your association. The RNA number consists of the letter W and 9 digits.
The DILA (Direction de l'information légale et administrative) will publish an extract of the declaration received by the clerk's office, including the date of declaration to the prefecture, the name of the association, its purpose and address. A copy of this announcement published in the JOAFE will be available for download. We strongly advise you to keep it, as it will serve as proof of your association's legal capacity.
Get a SIRET number
If your association plans to carry out commercial activities, you may need to apply to the tax authorities for a SIRET number. To find out how to proceed, depending on your situation and plans, please contact your local tax office.
Open a pro association account
To facilitate your association's financial management, it's a good idea to open a pro association account in its own name, since it's possible to do so. This is not a requirement, however, unless your organization is planning to raise funds.
Association online accounts are particularly well suited to managing money for associations, and they also offer a maximum number of additional services, such asautomated accounting tasks, association expense management to track expenses in real time, instant notification of each transaction, credit card settings for each user, etc.