DELF / DALF Policies

Last updated: January 2026

1. General DELF/DALF exam policies

The following policies apply to ALL candidates registered for the DELF/DALF Tout Public, DELF Junior, and DELF PRIM exams.

1. Introduction and audience

The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) and Diplôme approfondi en langue française (DALF) are official diplomas awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify non-Francophone candidates’ proficiency in French.

The Alliance Française de Seattle (AFSeattle) is an official exam center for the DELF/DALF and will hold the 2026 sessions in the conditions described below.

The exams are offered in three versions:

2. Registration and scheduling

• Registration for the DELF/DALF exams is open to all candidates, regardless of the state in which they reside.
• The exam consists of two parts:
  • Written Components: Held on a fixed date and time determined by France Éducation International.
  • Oral Examination: Scheduled individually within a designated oral exam period. Please note that this period may extend into the week following the written exams.
• Written and oral exam dates are determined by the official examination calendar and cannot be modified.
• Candidates will receive their personal oral exam schedule by email prior to the exam session. Once this schedule is set, dates and times may not be altered.
• Candidates must arrive on time for all exam components indicated on their convocation. Late arrivals may be denied access to the examination room and will be considered absent.

3. Cancellation policies

A. Cancellation by Alliance Française de Seattle

In the event that AFSeattle cancels an exam session, candidates will receive a full refund of exam fees.

B. Cancellation by candidates

Rescheduling to a different DELF session or deferring registration to a later date is not permitted. Candidates who cannot attend their scheduled session must follow the cancellation process below and submit a new registration at a future date.

Cancellation deadlines are session-specific and published on the DELF/DALF registration page.

• Up to 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on the registration deadline: Exam fees are refundable, minus a $40 administrative fee.
• From 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on the registration deadline until the Friday 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) preceding the exam week: In cases of documented illness or serious emergency, and upon approval by France Éducation International, exam fees are refundable, minus a $40 administrative fee. Documentation must be provided.
• After the Friday preceding the exam week: No refund will be granted under any circumstances.

C. Force majeure

In the event of circumstances beyond the control of the Alliance Française de Seattle—such as natural disasters, severe weather, public health emergencies, power or internet outages, or government-mandated closures—the exam may be postponed, rescheduled, or canceled. Such circumstances are considered force majeure and do not entitle candidates to refunds or compensation. When possible, candidates will be offered the option to transfer to a future session.

4. Candidate information & proof of identity

• It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their personal information (name, date of birth, etc.) exactly matches their official identity document at the time of registration. The same information will appear on the official diploma or certificate. Errors cannot be corrected once results have been issued.
• Candidates must present valid official photo identification on the day of each exam component.
  • Accepted forms of ID: Passport, National identity card, Photo driver’s license.
• Failure to present valid identification will result in denial of access to the examination room.

5. Belongings and equipment

• Candidates are required to limit their personal belongings to the minimum necessary.
• Only the following items are permitted in the examination room:
  • Valid ID
  • Writing materials (blue or black pens only)
  • One water bottle
• Personal items such as bags, phones, and electronic devices are not permitted during the exam.

6. Results and diplomas

• Results are issued by France Éducation International. Candidates will be notified by email once results are available. Results are not communicated by phone.
• Attestations de réussite (Certificates of Achievement) and Relevés de notes (Score Reports) are sent by email around four (4) weeks after the date of the exam. You can use your Attestation de réussite for official purposes.
• Official diplomas are issued directly by France Éducation International and are delivered approximately three (3) to six (6) months after the exam.

2. Specific exam versions: dates and details

The following sections provide details specific to each exam version regarding levels and session dates. Registration periods, exam dates, and levels offered are published on the DELF/DALF registration page.

A. DELF/DALF Tout Public

• Audience: adults 18 and up.
• Levels Offered: A1 through C2.
• 2026 Sessions: Typically offered in March, June, and December.
• Exam Logistics: Candidates will have to sit together in the same classroom during the common written parts of the exam. The oral expression part is individual and will take place in-person at AFSeattle
• Oral Exam Note: We will try, when possible, to organize the individual oral examinations on the same day as the common written parts. Please keep in mind this is not always possible, as schedules are established according to the jury members’ availability. Candidates will receive their personalized oral exam schedule by email 10 days prior to the exam date.

B. DELF Junior

• Audience: Candidates must be between 12 and 17 years old and enrolled in a secondary school program. The diploma awarded is identical to the DELF Tout Public.
• Levels Offered: A1 through B2.
• 2026 Session: Offered in March.
• Exam Logistics: Candidates will have to sit together in the same classroom during the common written parts of the exam. The oral expression part is individual and will take place in-person at AFSeattle.
• Oral Exam Note: We will try, when possible, to organize the individual oral examinations on the same day as the common written parts. Please keep in mind this is not always possible, as schedules are established according to the jury members’ availability. Candidates will receive their personalized oral exam schedule by email 10 days prior to the exam date.

C. DELF Prim

• Audience: Candidates must be between 8 and 11 years old and enrolled in an elementary school program. The diploma awarded is identical to the DELF Tout Public.
• Levels Offered: A1.1, A1, and A2.
• 2026 Sessions: Offered in March and May.
• Exam Logistics: Candidates will have to sit together in the same classroom during the common written parts of the exam. The oral expression part is individual and will take place in-person at AFSeattle
• Oral Exam Note: We will try, when possible, to organize the individual oral examinations on the same day as the common written parts. Please keep in mind this is not always possible, as schedules are established according to the jury members’ availability. Candidates will receive their personalized oral exam schedule by email 10 days prior to the exam date.