What is a Kbis?
The Kbis is the official identity document of a commercial business in France. Issued by the clerk of the commercial court (greffe du tribunal de commerce), it certifies the legal existence of the business and its registration with the Trade and Companies Register (RCS).
A Kbis extract contains the following key information:
- Business name (or individual entrepreneur's name)
- SIREN and SIRET numbers
- APE/NAF code corresponding to the main activity
- Registered address (head office or main establishment)
- Date of creation
- Description of the business activity
- Name of the director and any appointed agents
- Court decisions (insolvency proceedings, etc.)
To find the APE code matching your activity, use our APE code search tool.
Micro-entrepreneurs and the Kbis: an important distinction
Contrary to popular belief, not all micro-entrepreneurs receive a Kbis. The document that proves your legal existence depends on the nature of your activity.
Commercial activity → Kbis
If you carry out a commercial activity (retail, e-commerce, fast food, etc.), you are registered with the RCS and receive a Kbis extract.
Craft activity → D1 extract / RNE certificate
If you carry out a craft activity (plumbing, hairdressing, bakery, etc.), you were historically registered with the Trades Register (RM) and received a D1 extract. Since the 2023 reform, the RM has been replaced by the National Business Register (RNE).
Liberal profession → INSEE/URSSAF certificate
If you practice a liberal profession (consultant, freelance developer, graphic designer, etc.), you have neither a Kbis nor a D1 extract. Your proof of registration is a certificate of registration issued by INSEE (Sirene directory status notice) or URSSAF.
Summary table
| Activity type | Register | Official document | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | RCS | Kbis extract | Infogreffe, MonIdenum |
| Craft | RNE (formerly RM) | D1 extract / RNE certificate | RNE, CMA |
| Liberal profession | URSSAF / INSEE | Registration certificate | INSEE (Sirene notice), URSSAF |
| Mixed (commercial + craft) | RCS + RNE | Kbis + RNE certificate | Infogreffe + RNE |
The National Business Register (RNE) since 2023
Since 1 January 2023, the National Business Register (RNE) centralises information for all businesses in France, regardless of activity type. This single register replaces:
- The Trades Register (RM)
- The Trade and Companies Register (RCS) — which continues to exist in parallel
- The Register of Commercial Agents
- The Special Register for EIRL
All micro-entrepreneurs are automatically registered with the RNE when they file their business declaration through the INPI One-Stop Shop (Guichet Unique).
Haven't created your micro-enterprise yet? Follow our complete guide to creating your micro-enterprise or check out our Guichet Unique registration tutorial.
How to obtain your Kbis or certificate
1. Via Infogreffe.fr (Kbis only)
The official website infogreffe.fr allows you to order a Kbis extract online:
- Cost: €3.37 per extract (digital delivery)
- Delivery time: immediate for digital version
- Formats: PDF or postal delivery (€5.42)
- Access: search by business name, SIREN or SIRET number
2. Via MonIdenum.fr (free for the business owner)
MonIdenum is the digital identity service of the commercial courts. As a business owner, you can:
- Download your digital Kbis for free
- Access an always up-to-date Kbis
- Share it via a secure link
This is the most cost-effective solution for commercial micro-entrepreneurs.
3. Via the RNE (free)
The website data.inpi.fr provides access to the National Business Register. You can download an RNE registration certificate free of charge, regardless of your activity type.
4. Via the INPI One-Stop Shop
The Guichet Unique (procedures.inpi.fr) allows you to manage all your business formalities. After registration, you can retrieve your certificate there.
5. INSEE status notice (all activities)
The Sirene directory status notice is available free of charge on sirene.fr. It confirms your SIRET number, APE code and address. It is not a Kbis, but it is accepted by many partners and institutions.
To learn everything about obtaining your SIRET number, see our dedicated tutorial.
What is the Kbis (or equivalent) used for?
The Kbis or equivalent certificate is essential in many situations:
Common requirements
- Opening a professional bank account: the bank requires a Kbis or registration certificate
- Signing contracts with professional clients or suppliers
- Responding to public or private tenders
- Proving your legal existence to government agencies
- Taking out professional insurance (professional liability, ten-year warranty, etc.)
- Renting commercial premises or a coworking space
- Importing or exporting goods
Situations where the Sirene status notice is sufficient
In practice, for many everyday procedures, a simple Sirene directory status notice (free) is accepted:
- Registering on freelance platforms
- Invoicing between professionals
- Routine administrative declarations
Kbis validity period
The Kbis has no legal expiry date. However, in practice:
- Banks, government agencies and business partners typically require a Kbis less than 3 months old
- Some tenders require a Kbis less than 1 month old
- The RNE registration certificate follows the same validity expectations
It is therefore advisable to download a new Kbis or certificate before each important procedure, especially since it is free via MonIdenum or the RNE.
Watch out for scams
Micro-entrepreneurs are regularly targeted by fraudulent letters imitating official documents. These scams often take the form of:
- Payment demands for a supposed "mandatory registration with a professional register"
- Invoices for a "professional directory" or "business register"
- Alarming letters threatening removal from a register if you do not pay
How to spot them
- The letter requests a payment (usually between €100 and €300)
- The sender uses a name resembling an official institution
- The document imitates the layout of an administrative form
- There is an artificial sense of urgency ("8 days to regularise your situation")
What to do
- Never pay: registration with the RNE is free and automatic
- Do not respond to the letter
- Report the scam on signal.conso.gouv.fr or to the DGCCRF
- If in doubt, contact URSSAF or your local CMA/CCI directly
FAQ
Is the Kbis mandatory for a micro-entrepreneur?
No, the Kbis is not mandatory for all micro-entrepreneurs. Only those carrying out a commercial activity (registered with the RCS) obtain a Kbis. Craftspeople and liberal professionals have other equivalent documents (RNE certificate, Sirene status notice).
How much does a Kbis extract cost?
A digital Kbis costs €3.37 on Infogreffe. However, it is free for the business owner via MonIdenum.fr. The RNE registration certificate and the Sirene status notice are also free.
Can you get a Kbis without being registered with the RCS?
No. The Kbis is exclusively issued to businesses registered with the Trade and Companies Register (RCS). If you carry out a craft or liberal activity, you must use an equivalent document: RNE certificate, D1 extract or Sirene status notice.
What if a client asks for my Kbis but I am a liberal professional?
Explain that liberal professionals are not registered with the RCS and therefore do not have a Kbis. Instead, provide your Sirene directory status notice (available free on sirene.fr) and/or your URSSAF registration certificate. These documents contain the same essential information (SIRET, activity, address) and are widely accepted.