Repatriation from Haiti to France

French Embassy in Port-au-Prince can advise on repatriation documentation requirements for France. French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MAE) emergency assistance: +33 1 43 17 67 67 (24 hours). The French Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.

Where conditions allow, the fastest cases complete in 6-8 weeks. In complex cases, or where security conditions deteriorate further, the process can take 16 weeks or more. Haiti is one of the most demanding repatriation origins in the world.

Only a specialist with direct experience in Haiti should be approached.

The core documents are: Acte de décès (état civil death certificate) with certified English translation, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and the export permit. All documents are initially in French or Haitian Creole. Obtaining and translating these in Haiti's security environment can take many weeks. Your repatriation coordinator manages all of this on your behalf.

A post-mortem may be required for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths. Haiti's very limited medical infrastructure means post-mortem capacity is variable and access to facilities is not assured in many areas. Your specialist will advise based on the specific location and circumstances.

The French funeral director takes custody at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or another French airport. The prefecture issues a permis d'inhumer before burial or cremation. All foreign documents require certified French translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.

Cremation facilities are very limited in Haiti. This option is not reliably available across the country. Families considering cremation should consult a specialist before making any decisions. The availability of facilities depends entirely on location and access at the time.