Lost or stolen documents in Mali: free declaration and replacing your papers
Police station, gendarmerie or prefecture
Losing your papers in Bamako happens easily, at the market, in a taxi or a Sotrama minibus. The first step is a declaration of loss, free and immediate. It prevents anyone else from using your documents, and it is required to get them replaced. This page follows the sheets on the Government of Mali's official procedures portal.
Key points (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Loss: written or oral declaration at the police station, the gendarmerie ("voie publique" section) or the prefecture; free; certificate of loss issued on the spot.
- Theft: declaration at the gendarmerie or police station, entered in a special register; a certificate of theft is then issued.
- Document: your identity card or any document identifying you.
Declaring a loss
Anyone who has lost their papers can declare it immediately, in writing or orally. The declaration is received by the prefect, the police station, the gendarmerie ("voie publique" section) or the duty officer, who enters it the same day in the daily log. You receive a certificate of loss of papers, free and without delay.
Exception noted by the sheet: declaring the loss of some documents, such as a land title, does not lead to a certificate of loss being issued.
Declaring a theft
For a theft, the declaration serves both to have the offender traced and to prevent fraudulent use of the documents. You go to the gendarmerie or police station, where a special register is kept, with your identity card if you still have it. A certificate of theft of papers is then issued.
Replacing your documents
The certificate of loss or theft is the first step to a replacement:
| Lost document | Where to go | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Identity card | police station, gendarmerie or sub-prefect; a certificate of loss is required for a duplicate | Biometric identity card |
| Driving licence | licence section of the Regional Transport Directorate, with a certificate of loss showing the licence number | Driving licence |
| Passport | Border Police Directorate | Passport |
| Birth certificate extract | civil status centre | Birth certificate extract |
For a licence duplicate, the sheet specifies that the certificate of loss must show the licence number: if you have it written down somewhere, bring it to the police station.
Frequently asked questions
Is the declaration of loss free in Mali?
Yes, it is free according to the official portal.
Where do I declare lost papers in Bamako?
At the police station, the gendarmerie ("voie publique" section) or the prefecture.
How long does the certificate of loss take?
It is issued on the spot.
What should I do after a theft?
Make a declaration of theft at the gendarmerie or police station, which issues a certificate of theft.
Official sources (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Government of Mali, procedures portal, Declaration of loss of papers (French): competent authorities, document, free of charge, timing.
- Government of Mali, procedures portal, Declaration of theft of papers (French): purpose, place, certificate.
- Decree no. 2025-0509/PT-RM of 25 July 2025, article 13 (identity card duplicate on presentation of a certificate of loss), Official Journal of 8 August 2025 (French).