Check the date and method of submission
Start with the certificate and instructions provided on registration. Record the registration date, calculated deadline and required submission channel. Keep evidence of filing or sending.
A technical or practical problem should be documented immediately. Do not wait until the end of the period to report an inability to submit or the absence of an essential document.
Complete the form without gaps
Civil status, family composition, places of residence, route travelled, previous claims and fears should be recorded consistently. An uncertain answer should be explained rather than guessed.
Check names and dates against identity records. Where spellings or calendars differ, explain the reason clearly and use a consistent approach throughout the file.
Write an individual account
The statement should set out the important events in order: context, experiences, those responsible for threats, any attempts to obtain protection, departure and the current risk on return. It must show what is personal to the applicant.
Length alone does not make an account persuasive. Decisive facts, dates where remembered and genuine uncertainty should be visible. A version should never be memorised artificially or gaps filled by invention.
Submit and update the evidence
Organise identity records, complaints, decisions, medical certificates, messages, photographs and witness statements. The applicant should be able to explain where each item came from and the fact it supports.
If evidence arrives after the initial submission, check OFPRA’s method for supplementary material and keep proof of sending. Foreign documents may need translation to be understood.
Preparation with counsel
Counsel checks overall consistency, identifies points requiring clarification and prepares the applicant for likely interview themes. She does not replace the applicant’s voice or rewrite their history.
The useful work is to make the file clear, faithful and evidenced while identifying vulnerabilities or communication difficulties that may affect the procedure.
Discuss your situation
You can send the firm the essential facts, relevant dates and any known deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim asylum without identity documents?
Yes. Their absence does not prevent a claim, but the declared identity, possible steps to obtain records and reasons originals are unavailable should be explained.
Can evidence be sent after the application?
Supplementary evidence may be sent under OFPRA’s procedures. Keep a copy and proof of submission, and do not delay unnecessarily where the item matters.
What if the twenty-one-day period is nearly over?
Send counsel the instructions and available file immediately. The priority is to secure submission through the stated procedure rather than assume an extension.