Obtaining French Citizenship
Naturalisation, Acquisition, Appeals
Naturalisation, citizenship through marriage, descent, or birth in France—the firm prepares your application, assists you with assimilation interviews, and represents you in the event of a deferral or refusal.
How to Obtain French Citizenship
Obtaining French citizenship is often the culmination of a long journey in France. It is also a demanding process, where every detail of the application matters: residence requirements, language proficiency, professional integration, assimilation into French society, absence of criminal convictions, and compliance of civil status documents.
A well-prepared application from the outset helps avoid deferrals and unnecessary delays. The firm assists clients through all pathways to French citizenship.
Naturalisation
Naturalisation is the most common route to French citizenship. It requires proof of stable and lawful residence in France (generally five years, reduced in certain cases), sufficient resources, integration into French society, and assimilation into the French community, including language proficiency and professional integration.
The firm assists in preparing a complete application: gathering supporting documents, conducting preliminary checks with the authorities, completing the ANEF online application, and preparing clients for the integration process and any assimilation interviews at the prefecture.
In the event of a deferral or refusal, the firm initiates a prior administrative appeal before the Ministry of the Interior and, where necessary, litigation before the Administrative Court of Nantes.
Citizenship Through Marriage
Marriage to a French national may entitle you to apply for French citizenship by declaration, subject to certain conditions. This process requires a genuine and continuous marital relationship for at least four years, sufficient knowledge of the French language, and assimilation into French society.
The firm assists with the preparation of your declaration before the prefecture and ensures that your application meets all legal requirements. In the event of opposition by the public prosecutor or refusal to register the declaration, we initiate the appropriate legal remedies.
Citizenship by Descent and by Birth in France
- By descent — if one of your parents was French at the time of your birth
- By birth and residence in France — if you were born in France to foreign parents and have resided in France for at least five years since the age of eleven
- By declaration — in specific cases provided for by the French Civil Code
The firm assists with applications for a Certificate of French Nationality (CNF) before the competent judicial court, as well as appeals in the event of refusal.
Reinstatement of French Citizenship
If you have lost French citizenship—through voluntary acquisition of another nationality, renunciation, or deprivation-a reinstatement procedure may allow you to recover it. This procedure is subject to specific conditions. The firm assists with the preparation of your application.
Citizenship as an Ascendant of a French National
If you are aged 65 or over, have a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild who is a French national, and have resided lawfully in France for at least 25 years, you may acquire French citizenship by declaration-without going through the naturalisation process.
This declaratory procedure is generally faster than naturalisation and does not require meeting the usual assimilation criteria. However, it remains relatively unknown and requires a carefully prepared application.
Siblings of French nationals
If your sibling was born in France to foreign parents and acquired French citizenship, you may, subject to certain conditions, acquire French citizenship by declaration.
These conditions include being at least 18 years old, having resided in France continuously and lawfully since the age of 6, having completed compulsory schooling in France, and having no criminal convictions.
In the Event of Refusal or Deferral of naturalisation application
- Administrative appeal before the Ministry of the Interior
- Litigation before the competent court
- Submission of a new application after addressing the identified issues
The firm's experience in citizenship litigation enables it to anticipate the expectations of the administration and identify the most effective legal arguments.
Do You Wish to Become a French Citizen?
An initial consultation allows for an assessment of your eligibility and the development of a strategy tailored to your situation.