Section 2: Registration of an asylum application by an unaccompanied minor

The unaccompanied minor referred to in articles L. 521-9 to L. 521-12 is understood to be a minor temporarily or permanently deprived of the protection of his or her legal representatives.

When the asylum application is made by an unaccompanied minor, the public prosecutor, notified immediately by the administrative authority, will appoint an ad hoc administrator for the minor without delay. The latter assists the minor and represents him or her in administrative and legal proceedings relating to the asylum application.

The ad hoc administrator referred to in Article L. 521-9 is appointed by the competent public prosecutor from a list of legal entities or individuals whose constitution procedures are set by decree in the Conseil d’Etat. This decree also specifies the conditions of their compensation.The mission of the ad hoc administrator ends as soon as a guardianship measure is pronounced.

When the asylum application is made by an unaccompanied minor, the president of the departmental council is immediately informed, in application of article L. 226-2-1 of the code de l’action sociale et des familles, to enable him/her to assess the situation of the minor without a legal representative and to determine the protection and assistance actions required.

As soon as possible after an unaccompanied minor has lodged an asylum application, the administrative authority conducts a search for the members of his or her family, while protecting the best interests of the minor. In cases where the life or physical integrity of a minor or his or her close relatives could be threatened, this search is carried out confidentially.