You are French and you need to prove it

This path is appropriate for those who, for example, have a French parent but have never had a French passport. It is likely that applicants will probably have to prove their French nationality in order to obtain one.

There are two options:

• Apply for a certificate of French nationality (CNF)

The CNF is a document issued by the tribunal judiciaire with territorial jurisdiction on presentation of proof of your French nationality (including your civil status documents and those of your family).

This is a relatively quick procedure (6 months), but a CNF is only an administrative document and only benefits its beneficiary.

Your children will not be able to use your CNF to prove their own French nationality, for example.

See article : How to apply for a certificate of French nationality.

• Initiate a judicial claim : « action déclaratoire de nationalité française »

You will also have to prove your French nationality, but in the context of legal proceedings.

The resulting declaratory judgment has the same evidential value as any other judgment. It can therefore be used by anyone to prove your French nationality.

However, the procedure is longer and more complex, and you will need to be represented by a lawyer.

You are not French and want to become one

• Naturalization

If you have lived in France for more than 5 years with a residence permit, speak sufficient French and demonstrate satisfactory cultural and economic integration, you can apply for French naturalization.

The procedure takes 18 months in principle, often longer in reality, and leads in the best case to a naturalization decree that makes you a fully-fledged French citizen.

• Acquisition of French nationality by marriage

While living in France or not, you can apply to become a French citizen if you have been married to a French national for more than 4 years (5 years in some cases), speak sufficient French and have lived in community of life since your marriage.