Child custody witness statement: template and firsthand facts in France
Published on 12/08/2026 · updated on 25/09/2026
Free tool Compose the statement, item by item Open the statement assistantA child custody witness statement records firsthand facts, not a declaration that a parent deserves to win. This guide concerns French law and offers prompts, never an invented account to copy.
Aridelle's free witness statement tool helps structure information. The witness remains responsible for their own statement.
Which witness statement template applies?
The official French form provides the framework. Article 202 of the French Code of Civil Procedure requires identification, address, occupation and relevant relationships with the parties, notice of court use and the consequences of a false statement, and the author's handwritten statement, date and signature. Official identification bearing their signature is attached.
The general Article 202 guide covers formalities. This page focuses on observations about the child's daily life.
What facts can a witness describe?
| Prompt | Personal notes |
|---|---|
| When and where was I present? | Date or period, place and observed frequency |
| What did I personally see or hear? | Specific action or words, with context |
| How do I know the parties? | Relationships stated openly |
| What do I not know? | Gaps, uncertainty and secondhand information |
School collections or handovers are described only when personally witnessed. Hearing someone recount an event is not witnessing the event itself. An uncertain date remains an identified approximate period.
Who writes and assesses the statement?
A parent may explain the purpose; the witness writes their own account. Praise, accusations and diagnoses do not substitute for observations. This framework is not a completed testimonial.
The judge assesses its weight; no template guarantees acceptance. The official civil testimony guide explains the rules. A lawyer or a point-justice can address case-specific questions.