Three different mechanisms exist and should not be confused.
- A court-ordered prohibition on leaving the country, made by the family court, urgently if necessary (Article 373-2-6 of the Civil Code): the child cannot leave France without both parents’ permission. It is entered in the wanted persons register and flagged in the Schengen Information System.
- An emergency administrative objection to departure: where departure is imminent and a court decision is pending, a parent exercising parental responsibility may request it from the prefecture. It lasts fifteen days.
- Permission to leave the country: a minor traveling without a person exercising parental responsibility must carry permission signed by one of them (Article 371-6 of the Civil Code). This does not protect against departure with the other parent.
These measures operate at French borders; they do not prevent departure from another country. If the risk is serious, act quickly and gather supporting evidence: tickets, steps taken abroad, messages and the other parent’s connections with their country of origin.