The authors present the development and the application of a structured interview guide for 4 depression scales: Hamilton Depression rating scale 17 items (HDRS-17), Montgomery-Asberg Depression rating scale (MADRS), Widlöcher Depressive Retardation Scale and also a fourth scale designed to evaluate the symptoms other than depression core symptoms (based on Depression and mania rating scale of P. Pichot). The final version of the guide was tested with 60 french depressed inpatients. This guide provides clinical information that permits the rating of the 4 scales in approximatively 45 minutes.