How to Obtain French Citizenship
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Obtaining French citizenship can take quite a bit of time and can often be a confusing process. There is not a large amount of information in English available on the Internet for those looking into obtaining French citizenship, so I've decided to create this article so that those looking for this information can find it more easily.
There are several formalities and rules involved in the citizenship process in France which are outlined below. Some of the rules vary based on individual situations. For example, those marrying a French person and thus wish to seek French citizenship go through a slightly different process than an American couple who wish to retire in France. If you're coming to France to retire, you may be interested in another article of mine on retiring in France.
France is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage. It's no wonder so many people choose to obtain French nationality. However, those who are wanting to obtain French nationality should be aware that it can be a difficult and stressful process at times, but should hang in there because it's definitely worth it!
French Citizenship Requirements
There are many requirements that must be met in order to obtain citizenship in France. Luckily, some of the requirements are easier than others to meet. Those who don't necessarily meet the requirements are encouraged to seek additional information regarding their status.
This is just a general list of the guidelines and is definitely not the final rule and law regarding the process.
At least ONE of the following must pertain to you:
- One of your parents has French citizenship
- Your spouse has French citizenship and you’ve been married for over a year
- You’ve been married to a French citizen for under a year but have a child together
- You have lived in France for at least five years
You must also meet ALL of the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must be able to show that you are of good moral fiber.
- You must show proof of having no criminal history. (Parking & speeding tickets don't constitute a criminal history.)
- You must be able to show that you have integrated yourself into French life, including being able to speak French well enough to function in daily life.
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How to Apply for French Citizenship
You will need to fill out a ‘dossier’ which will include:
- Your birth certificate
- Identification
- Proof of marital status (and whether you have children)
- Evidence of employment
- Evidence of residence in France
- An ‘attestation de moralité’ which attests you have good character
From the moment you furnish the above information, it can be anywhere from one to two years until you will have French citizenship. There are many different things that the government will do in this time to prove that the information you’ve given is valid as well as the time it takes to file things in the different governmental departments.
Those who apply for citizenship will be required to, at some point, attend a Tribunal d'Instance. This is just a small hearing where the applicant signs a request for citizenship in front of a judge.
The applicant may also be required to go to their local police department for a short interview that is made to prove that the applicant qualifies for citizenship. Here the applicant must prove that they can speak a sufficient amount of French. This can be a long and stressful process. However, it’s good to remember that you’re on your path to French citizenship and although daunting, it’s worth it!
*Each applicant's case is different. Therefore, I am unable to answer questions regarding individual citizenship qualifications. Any questions regarding individual cases should be forwarded to the French government.
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I am tickled to hear that you'll be referencing my hub when people ask you about French citizenship. Thank you for the kind words!
i like eating french food they are really delicious and the eiffel tower gives great view
i luv french boys they are hot
there are several things missing and/or outdated. you have to be married for at least FOUR years now before asking for citizenship and the other possiblity about having lived in France for at least 5 years is reduced to 2 if you've got a masters/phd degree from a French University.
It would be nice to have people sharing with us here how long their process to citizenship took.
Tks!
What are the costs? My long term plan is to move to France, in the meantime for my Australian wife to first become British, it cost £350 for permission to marry, Indefinite Leave to Remain comes next at about £850 - she could stop there since we'll both be becoming French but British Citizenship then costs a further £850 odd.
Perhaps I should have looked for a French girl to marry :-)
im wondering if 2 years residence is including student visa period or not.. to master degree holder in france
anybody who can answer this??
evril, you are eligible for french citezenship since you are a foreign student at a french university who has lived there for 2 years
say you were born in France and i was removed from the country when you were a baby? you're are now old enough to get your citzenship but they wont give it to you, how does that work?
This is my story. I was born in Mantes-La-Jolie, France. November 1, 1986. my father left France and moved to Germany in 1988, we then moved to Canada in 1989 and lived there until 1996 to Denver, CO. I have now been in Denver since then, I have no US citizenship and no french citizenship. my father has died and my moms where abouts are unknown. since I am a child of unknown parents, shouldnt i be able to recieve french nationality, french passport, ITS NOT MY FAULT I WAS REMOVED!!! please someone! answer this QUESTION! email me at thefranchize303@yahoo.com! thank you!
i am marrying a french woman, we've been together for 2 years. in my case, will i be granted french citizenship straightaway. or i have to wait atleast a year?
Hi, is a child born in a British country to a naturalized French citizen eligible for French citizenship?
Me live in india but my mother also my grandmother had french nationality. We had nw proces in french ntationality worl. Unfortunatly we all are loos our document through effect of TSUNAMI. Plz to say how can we are r get nationality
Hi am getting married with a French woman, She is in uk now but have her french passport, I am a student and was born in Mauritius. She is 20 and i am 22. I wanted to know after i get married with her, can i apply for my french passport if we are leaving in the uk and how long will it take. thanks
Which the official website where it can be checked?
Hi All!
I am aspiring to make a move out to the great France myself. I have been researching this for quite some time. 1. Reading through wikipedia.org, it does run down the requirements for obtaining dual citizenship (mainly speaking from a US citizen)
1. It does take 5 years residence &working there to apply
2. It can be reduced to 2 if you apply for a post graduate degree at a French Institution. (**Not undergrad
3. If your parents were born, then you are a step above the rest and can better claim dual citizenship.. but you better be able to prove every bit of it
4. Not sure about the marriage thing. that wasn't a concern of mine.
5. Just because you might want to take a trip to Limoges or Paris and have a child there, it will not make them automatically a citizen..unlike the US, where they'll make damn near anyone- even if you dont speak the common lang used to function in everyday life in the US
6.. Yes please do learn the lang.. Its logical people.. and honestly its fun.. Many children in different nations from African countries to European countries learn more then 1 lang coming up..
7. You can reside there for 2 years and join the foreign league (** their army) and that will also permit you to citizenship afterwards. **Same thing like the university thing
8.. Lastly one thing i am doing now is opening up a HSBC or Citibank (global banks) bank account in the country.. Mainly in the region that i want to relocate to. It might cost you about 300$ usd to open the account, but once you do. any monies you put in the account in preparedness for your move, it will be converted to euros..and we all know that EUros is kick the USD ass for a while now.. I say with a grand, do this and then just add to account only when the currency rate is in USD favor.. so that might mean moving larger lump sums at a time.. But when you get there.. lets say a year or two or even 3 years later after opening the account, you'll already have "presence" in France. and your taxes on that account will partly be used within France.. What i am trying to find out now.. is that will that help towards your "residence presence" for obtaining dual citizenship.. There are always loop holes lol.. But you have to research like hell to find them out.. Nothing ..especially moving to another country is cut and dry ..that is if you do the legal and right way. Good luck all!!
Alana, joining the Foreign Legion will indeed gain you French citizenship, but it's like joining the U.S. Marines -- it won't be the easiest path.
Alana
You are quite knowledgeable on the subject, I can see that your ambition rivals mine. Best of luck, and if you ever wish to compare stories, I can be contacted.
Eisley Constantine
I have been married for nearly 4 years, we have been living in France for nearly 2 years before then we lived in the UK. Mu question is where do i apply for citizenship. According to your article i meet all the requirements.
Ohh my wife is French
Please help.
I am a Brit and have lived in France with my French wife for 15 years. Until recently I have had voting rights in the UK but these have now ended. I would like to have the right to vote in the French Presidential elections, so I want to apply for French citizenship.
That's a really good reason to seek citizenship, Tony. Hopefully you stop back here and tell us how to process is going for you from time to time!
I'm married with French citizen. We are married about two and half years now. We are living in Ireland. When we got married, we registered our marriage in French Embassy and they gave us French livret de famille. My question is, after how long I'm entitle to apply French Citizenship while living out of France. I know if you living in France it will be quick but how long after i can apply. I would really appreciate if someone can give some info.
Hello,
I was born in France to foreign parents in 1968. Would like to know if I can apply for French citizenship now. Any suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated!
bonjour, i am very much fond of french culture and language. now studying french,i have a ug degree, i like to do my PHD in france, if possible get a citizen ship also. any suggestions kumareshkj(at)gmail.com.
merci
I M BANGLADESHI CITIZEN ,LIVE IN GERMAN ,MY WIFE LIVE IN FRANCE SHE IS A FRANCE CITIZEN OUR MARRIAGE TIME 2 YEARS, CAN I GET FRANCE CITIZESHIPE.
Mani, you are pretty on the right track. It takes 5 years to get french nationality if ou live outside france. I our registered at the french embassy as living abroad like ou did, it takes four years mate
is it easier to get french citizenship if you have french children? I have three, but am divorced from thier dad for over ten years. I've lived in Boston for that time but want to return to France becuase they all now live there full timeand I want to be close to them.
Just another really well written blog Melbel! I'm definitely voting up on this one.
My daughter is thinking about moving to France or Spain. I'll have to show her this blog.
I was born in toulouse-France in 1980 and my parents relocated in '83. my dad was an undergraduate student from 1978 to 1983.
i would like to know if i am eligible for french citizenship. i have my birth certificate and health record intact. pls help!
huperstorm@live.com
If one wants to study in a graduate program in france and wants to apply for naturalization, does one apply before arriving in france or after they have completed the degree? Can one apply to the institute on an immigration visa or does it have to be a student visa? What exactly are the measures necessary for a student to apply for citizenship of they're studying in France?
Thank you.
Hi,
I recently obtained my french citizenship because my mother was born in France and is a French Citizen. It took some time, proof of ancestry, birth and marriage certificates, etc. I have 2 adult children who are also interested in becoming French Citizens. I do not yet have (or know if I need) a Livret de famille. I would like to get this - if I need it, and will also be applying for my passport. My daughter lives in England and is particularly anxious to get EU citizenship. What do they need to do to get the process started? Thank you.
If a person obtains French nationality on the basis of his/her marriage to a French citizen and later on divorce takes place. Does this divorce affect the French nationality of the person who got it on the basis of marriage??
Please reply....
I'm a kenyan girl who lived with a french citizens and had a baby boy in kenya. the father and I are now separated I have his birthcerificate and a copy of his dads passport is there any way I can get his papers for him to use when he is older?
I own property in France and my wife is a French national. I do not want to give up my US citizenship, but I would like to become a French citizen. Is this possible?
I'm planing to go to Paris this year as a undergraduate student. I need to take my husband with me to stay there till I complete the degree. we are from Sri Lanka and I need to know what kind of a visa my husband will get under my Visa and the duration.and Under his visa category , can he work while in France and if not legal to work Is there any possibility to change in to any kind of working visa category..Then what is the procedure for that?
Hi. i'm south african (18 years old) and i've been studying and living in france for 2 years now. my dutch step mother and father have been living in france for close to 5 years, and this year i'm supposed to be applying for a carte de sejour until i get my french citizenship. I know one has to live in france for 5 years in order to get the french citizenship but as i am going to be starting universitiy soon; it concerns me that i'll be forced to stay in france for the full 5 years. my question is; if i decide to go to university in Canada, for example, but my 'home' adress is still in france, are those years counted in the 5 year requirement. anyone with any insite please let me know cause i don't particularly want to go to university in france. thanks very much.
I would like to say there are so many great reasons to seek French citizenship. I am glad so many people have found this hub to be helpful! I am sorry to say that I cannot offer personalize advice to each user to who reads this article. There are so many different situations that my readers have when it comes to becoming a French citizen that I could not possibly address all of them. The best course of action would be to go through the French government to learn more about your specific situation. Best of luck on becoming a citizen of France!
Hi all, My wife is applying for a French citizenship, I am European but not French. We live here since 7 years and comply with all the requirements, but there is one thing that bothers me, the Gov. wants a handwritten letter from me stating that I will NOT apply for French citizenship. How do I formulate this in way that will not be offensive?
I mean I do not plan to apply for myself, but how do I write this in a way that would be nice , diplomatic etc?
I have tried in so many ways already,
Don't want it (arrogant)
Don't need it (arrogant)
Don't want to be French (slap in the face)
I am happy with the citizenship I have (see all above).
in response to erix simply say ' I will not be applying for french citizenship.' I think that could work.
Thank you so much for the very informative article! really cleared up some things for me, but I have one question. I plan to move to france once i graduate college, and am wondering that in order to complete the 5 year residency requirement, would I need to apply for a visa in order to live there in the first place? (I was born and currently live in the US and have no french relatives.) thank you!
very informative.keep it coming!
Thank you so much for the useful information.
I wonder what if:
What if my grandfather used to have French nationality, my father never claimed it and now I wish to have it?
They (my father and grandfather)are both passed away already...
I'm British citizen living in France for six months,how long does it take to get French citizenship? living in France now, I'm single British,
Please reply,,,,,
Mash, contact the French government for further information. They can help you find a solution for your individual situation.
This is a great trove of info, thank you.
My wife is French but we live in Asia, hence are both not resident in France. Under such a scenario would I be eligible to apply for French citizenship?
melbel has written a useful hub here.
But it's just a guide.
She's can't process your application or answer all your questions.
If you want to become a French citizen, you NOW need to sort out the relevant information for YOURSELVES!
MY GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS BORN IN FRANCE CAN I APPLY FOR A FRENCH CITYNSHIP?THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER.
both my parents are french but i was born in the uk and have a british passport, is it possible to get a french one but still keep my british one?
I worked three years in France from 2007 to 2010 and then moved to UK. I intend to go back to France next year and I am thinking of applying for citizenship later on. Does my previous working experience count or do they start the clock from the beginning and disregard my previous experience?
hi im indian girl i want to setteled in france im a degree holder it is eligible to work in france?my degree is b.sc,b.ed which type of job i got in france.
Hi there,
My fiance is South African. We are getting married in England at the end of this year. We would like to move to France next year. Does any of you know what we need to do? Will he be able to work without restrictions? Will he be able to apply for his french citizenship? Will he get a spouse visa?
Thank you
I also have a question about French citizenship. Can someone acquire citizenship as a "xxxxx" citizen if they have a criminal record in another country other than the country their are to immigrate from? ie; As a Guatemalan citizen although they may have a criminal record in the U.S.?
Does anyone know about this?
Can someone educate me what it means that Israeli captured soldier Gilad Shalit has "dual French citizenship via his grandmother"? Which laws exist that makes this possible. Both Gilad and his parents are both born and raised in Israel, while his grandmother on his father's side was French and emigrated to Israel.
My grandfather is a french so is it possible to attain french citizenship for me and to my whole family
Its easy getting a french passport if you serve in the Legion..Its just hard serving in the Legion..
Is anyone familiar with the The “Skills and Talent” Card visa (Carte Compétences & Talents) of France
i was born in paris and lived there for 4 years. my nationality is Indian.. will i get french citizenship?
i have married a french muslim girl in india legally but due to some problem we are separated now ...can i get france citizen ship through her ...
I was born in France, but became an Australian citizen within the first three months, as both my parents are Australian. I would like to be able to get my french passport sometime in the future, but I am not sure whether I still have to live in France for five years to make this happen? Anyone know any details?
can u plz help me in this??i was a student unioun president in Alliance francaise d'Inde.i went twice to france for study and i spend three months in each visit, nw there is a restaurant and the owner of that restaurant wants me to take care of that ret.as he is becoming old.m nt sure that cn i get the citizen ship or long term visa on it.If yes thn plz help in in its procidure.
Thnx
Hi All,
So my dad is French, but my mother is American - I was born in the US and have US Citizenship. I've been getting more in touch with my French roots, now that my father has passed away. I'm hoping to move to France for a bit; and I've always wanted to obtain citizenship there.
I'm nervous that I'm already 27 - is that too old to apply? Also, where does the process start? Who should I show all the documents to? I have marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, etc but I'm not sure where to go first to even begin. Thanks!
My wife and I live in Canada. My wife has Canadian and French citizenship. What are the requirements for myself if we were to move and work in France?
My mother was born in France, and married my father there. He was a WWII soldier, and they moved back to the US. She became a naturalized US citizen in 1961, so no longer is a French citizen. You listed one of the requirements to becoming a French citizen is one parent has to be a French citizen. I have also read that the parent needs to have been born in France, so I don't know if that works as well, even if she is no longer a French citizen. Any thoughts?
I am married to a french man for 7 years.He lives in Switzerland.
Married in California
I had kids from another man.
icould only live with my husband in Switzerland 3 to 5 months at a time...than had to come back to my kids in Calif...then my husband would come to me for a month and leave his business for his employees to run...and this went on for 3 years...
Then my husband abandoned me for almost a year,,then he came back...
It was a trauma for me.
Strangely, before we were married, i lent him a large sum of money on my credit card to help him with his debts...
When my husband came back, he agreed to sign a post nuptual and a note notorized to pay me back the loan...
he went back to Switzerland and we left on ok terms and he did not make any further plans to live with me in California nor could I move my kids and etc..
The marriage started to fall apart, however, he sent me payments by Western Union each month to pay me back.
he stopped all communication except through email..
He bacame hostile and rude and mean.
Now we have 7 years and he said he would not help me with my French citizenship and that he would pay me back half the money if i get a divorce...and the other half after the divorce...
This loan has nothing to do with my french citizenship.
I would like to have my money paid back and my right to obtain my French citizenship.
I have an EU (Irish) passport and citizenship (since 1987). I have owned a house in France for almost 19 years and spent enormous amounts of time there (within the 90-day Schengen requirements of a U.S. tourist visa). I want to sell my house in the Périgord, move to La Rochelle, and rent an apartment there, leaving the USA pretty much permanently. My Significant Other is a US citizen. Of course, we want to migrate to France together. Is there a way for him to get EU (French, or Irish) citizenship so he doesn't have to leave the Schengen Zone every 90 days? We would be happy to get married to make this more feasible. If we did that, does it matter where we get married?
I should add that I also run a small business here in the USA that does a lot of international business. I know about the French bureaucracy, but if I were able to set up a branch of that business in France and employ by SO (or husband, if we married), would there be any benefit to that?
Great website you are offering. Thank you!
I'd like to state my general question,
Is one able to obtain Dual Citizenship with France being 2nd? (USA is place of birth to two French born parents)
Thanks!
I have a question regarding the wait periods on the citizenship process. I fullfill al of the requirements as a spouse of a French citizen, and am able to apply now. The only catch is that my husband and I forsee a job opportunity/arrangements that involve moving back and forth between France and the states, spending a few months at a time in each. We will be able to maintain duo-residence (i.e bank accounts, taxes, etc.) without a problem. I am concerned that I will be called in for an interview and will not be readily available.....or that there might be a follow-up on the process and my moving back in forth might put into question my citizenship status. Can anyone tell me how far in advance one is forewarned of interviews? Also, is there any follow-up on the process during the first year and after? I have the option of changing my permanent address to my mother-in-laws address so that I receive mail more readily but I fear that this might cast negatively on my application because I would not be providing a rental contract along with other proof of residence.
I would really appreciate someones real life experience story.
Thanks
I was born in France, my mother an Italian immigrant lived in France for over 8 yeras. I lived in France till I was 3 and then moved to Canada where I have lived ever since. I would like to apply for French citizenship, am I eligible?
Dear melbel, I am from Iran, right now I am doing my 2 years Masters course in Toulouse, France!!! Can I apply for naturalisation???
Wikipedia says it is now relaxed to two years rather than 5 years!!!
Please comment on this
Thanks in Advance for the help!!! :)
hi can any one help me i have i child holding a french pasport but she born in philippines can she go with me to travel? i want to know if she go back in philippines what will be hapen because she dont have philippines pasport? pls help me.. and i cant apply paposrt for my baby now i dont have any time but i ask dfa about this they told me no problem i can take my baby in france i just want to make sure
Law required children born in France of foreign parents to request French nationality at adulthood, rather than being automatically accorded citizenship.
hi! can you help me i have a nephew who was born in france and has a birth cert but sent back here in manila while he was only six month old.now does he need to file a tourist visa in going back to france?his mother is french resident visa holder.how do we go about it?what are the requirements needed?please help us hope to hear from you
thanks
hey! i live in Australia and I'm planning to move to France in a couple of years. but when i finish school i want to stay with my grandmother in France for a couple of months. my dad was born in France but he has passed away, has that made any difference for my citizenship. as it is important that i see my french family?
My husband and I are British but have been living in France for 12 years now. We have two children both born in France but who are British passport holders. We were informed that when they reached 11 years old they could apply for french or dual nationality. Can anyone clarify this and if so should I approach my local prefecture?
Hello, everyone!! Regarding most people questions. Applying for french citizenship it is possible if you been married, to a french spouse and been living in france for four consecutive yrs. If you started and finished a PH degree in any national french institution, if any of your parents or grandparents are french born or naturalized or if you are in france with a french permanent residence for five consecutive yrs, working or studying or just taking care of your french children and finally but not sure, enlisted in any french force. But dont forget that in order to get a french permanent residence you must arrive to France holding a long stay visa and that apply to students, workers or no french spouse.You get you long stay visa at the french consulate or embassy close to you. Hummm hope this inf. will help any of you. Good luck everyone
sorry for my spelling but I am falling asleep jeje
My grandfather is french born although he is now a US citizen and his french citizenship lapsed. I am 19 years old and I would like to become a french citizen. It seems this might be possible according to rubyray05's comments.
If I need to stay 5 years (or 4 I believe if I study at a university) I was not able to find out the rules for how long I may remain outside of France during that period without losing my resident status.
Merci beaucoup!
Hi, I was born in Asia but living in United States through my life from grammar schools to graduate schools and am a proud U.S. citizen; however, I also really want to be a French citizen & willing to learn French or buy a some property in french if it's necessary to obtain a French citizenship. My grandmother on my mom-side is half-French and half-vietnamese. Do you think I have the rights to claim my French citizenship and how can I do that? What's the best way for me to get a French Citizenship? Please show me the best way to obtain the French Citizen. Thank you so much for your time
Je voudrais obtenir la nationalité française
Hello, does anyone know if the person who is more than 18 old can get french citizenship if one of the parents has the citizenship(not born in France)?
I would really apreciate if anyone can give some of the answers! Thank you!
McLaughlin 2 years ago
I live in France and I get a lot of comments and questions about how to work here (or in Europe in general). I usually answer the passport part just about as you did, but now I have a link to send people to, which will save me time.