← FFCheckWho do I contact?FR
Safety · France
Updated September 2026

🔍 A family member is missing — do I have to wait 24 hours before reporting?

Direct answer

No. The 24-hour rule is a myth in every EU country: report to Police / gendarmerie — plainte en ligne THESEE (service-public.fr) as soon as you are worried, especially for a child, an elderly person, someone ill or someone in crisis. Bring a recent photo, a description of clothes, the phone number and any recent messages. 116 000 Enfants Disparus / Police (116 000) is the missing-persons line for France — it supports families, coordinates appeals and works with the police. France Victimes — 116 006 (116 006) is there for the family in the days after.

Call firstPolice / gendarmerie — plainte en ligne THESEE
Report to116 000 Enfants Disparus / Police
If that failsFrance Victimes — 116 006

🗣️ What to say

"I want to report [name], [age], missing since [date, time]. Last seen at [place] wearing [clothes]. [Medical condition / vulnerability / recent crisis.] Phone [number], last contact [when]. Photo attached. I am worried because [reason]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Report now: Police / gendarmerie — plainte en ligne THESEEPhone or in person; for a child or a vulnerable person, the emergency number. Give the "worry factors" — they set the priority.
  2. Check the obvious in parallelFriends, hospitals, the last known place. Keep a list of who you have called.
  3. Phone and accountsLast location from shared apps, last message, recent transactions — ask the police what they can request.
  4. Missing-persons line: 116 000 Enfants Disparus / PoliceThey help with public appeals and keep contact with the police for the family.
  5. A child abroadThe EU number 116 000 connects to the child-hotline in every member state.

📇 All contacts

Police / gendarmerie — plainte en ligne THESEEOnline complaint for internet fraud, immediate receiptAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform🔗 www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R46526
116 000 Enfants Disparus / PoliceMissing children; police for any worrying disappearanceImmediately — no 24-hour rule📞 116 000🔗 www.116000enfantsdisparus.fr
France Victimes — 116 006Victim support, free, accompaniment and compensationAfter any crime📞 116 006🔗 www.france-victimes.fr
119 / Net Écoute 3018Helpline for children and teens, cyberbullyingFor children and teenagers📞 3018🔗 www.3018.fr

❓ Frequently asked

They are an adult and left voluntarily

Adults may go missing by choice; the police check they are safe and, if they wish, tell you only that. A vulnerability or a crisis changes the response — say it.

Can I post an appeal on social media?

Coordinate with the police and 116 000 Enfants Disparus / Police first; a badly timed appeal can cause harm or be impossible to take down later.

What happens when they are found?

The police inform you, with the person's consent for an adult. Support for the family and the person continues through France Victimes — 116 006.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “report missing person France”
  • “missing person 24 hours myth”
  • “child missing what to do France”
  • “116 000 missing children”
  • “missing family member police”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🐕Pet missing→🆔Identity theft→💻Online harassment→📲Family emergency scam→

Your tools for France

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · FranceElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in France, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.