Today I set off very early to get to the Prefecture in Niort, an hour and 45 minutes away. After trying for 2 years I had finally been granted an interview to get a resident's permit and I was leaving nothing to chance. I had every piece of paper required by the Ministry of Interior and I also had documents that the Prefecture in Niort told me on the phone that I would need.
The woman asked for my birth certificate, the original and a copy. I pointed out that this requirement was not on the official list. She took it from me, read it, shrugged her shoulders and said, 'we have our own rules'. I wanted to point out that the Minister's rules are their rules as he is their boss but I held my tongue and handed over my birth certificate.
She demanded bills, tax returns and proof of income for the last five years, originals and copies. She wanted to see my carte vitale (health card) and my top up health insurance with copies. Joyfully I handed over everything plus my passport and a copy. I was beginning to relax when she said 'where is the attestation de la couverture sociale?' This is your right to use the health service. You cannot have a carte vitale without having the right but this was unacceptable. I needed an attestation.
'You will have to come back Monday, take a ticket and wait in line.' I told her that I live a long way away but she just shrugged her shoulders. I pointed out that the Attestation is not on the official list, nor was I told to bring it by her own office. Another shrug. 'You must come back Monday with the correct paperwork.' Her accent took on that of a member of the KGB as she stood up and said, 'now we take your fingerprints.' Fingerprints! That wasn't on the official list either. She agreed to keep the papers logged until Monday but if I didn't return with the attestation, it would all be deleted and I would have to start the process again.
I took the long journey home. I logged onto the social service website to see if I could access the attestion from there. It wouldn't let me in. It said my date of birth was wrong. Now I know some of you think I am going a bit ga ga but honestly I do know my date of birth. I put it in again and it said that was my last time I am now blocked.
I checked the local office website and it said that it was open so I jumped in the car and drove to Thouars. There was a notice on the door saying it was closed for the holidays. Couldn't they have put that on their website? I went to the pharmacy and asked if they had any ideas how I could solve my problem and here was my saviour. She knew how to get around being blocked and re entered my details, asking for a new password. I came home and voila I went on the website, my birth date was correct and I have printed off an attestation. Monday I have to do it all again.
The woman asked for my birth certificate, the original and a copy. I pointed out that this requirement was not on the official list. She took it from me, read it, shrugged her shoulders and said, 'we have our own rules'. I wanted to point out that the Minister's rules are their rules as he is their boss but I held my tongue and handed over my birth certificate.
She demanded bills, tax returns and proof of income for the last five years, originals and copies. She wanted to see my carte vitale (health card) and my top up health insurance with copies. Joyfully I handed over everything plus my passport and a copy. I was beginning to relax when she said 'where is the attestation de la couverture sociale?' This is your right to use the health service. You cannot have a carte vitale without having the right but this was unacceptable. I needed an attestation.
'You will have to come back Monday, take a ticket and wait in line.' I told her that I live a long way away but she just shrugged her shoulders. I pointed out that the Attestation is not on the official list, nor was I told to bring it by her own office. Another shrug. 'You must come back Monday with the correct paperwork.' Her accent took on that of a member of the KGB as she stood up and said, 'now we take your fingerprints.' Fingerprints! That wasn't on the official list either. She agreed to keep the papers logged until Monday but if I didn't return with the attestation, it would all be deleted and I would have to start the process again.
I took the long journey home. I logged onto the social service website to see if I could access the attestion from there. It wouldn't let me in. It said my date of birth was wrong. Now I know some of you think I am going a bit ga ga but honestly I do know my date of birth. I put it in again and it said that was my last time I am now blocked.
I checked the local office website and it said that it was open so I jumped in the car and drove to Thouars. There was a notice on the door saying it was closed for the holidays. Couldn't they have put that on their website? I went to the pharmacy and asked if they had any ideas how I could solve my problem and here was my saviour. She knew how to get around being blocked and re entered my details, asking for a new password. I came home and voila I went on the website, my birth date was correct and I have printed off an attestation. Monday I have to do it all again.
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