This page has been automatically translated. Please refer to the page in French if needed.
Certificate of French nationality (CNF)
Verified 25 novembre 2020 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Additional cases ? French nationality
The certificate of French nationality (CNF) is an official document used to prove French nationality. It is issued by the transplant courts. The competent court depends on your place of birth and residence. The walk is free. In the event of a refusal, you can make a hierarchical appeal to the Minister of Justice. In the event of failure, a contentious appeal is possible before the court.
What applies to you ?
Depending on your personal situation, the steps to take may vary.
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The certificate of French nationality (CNF) is a document that proves your French nationality.
The CNF indicates the applicable text(s), the facts (for example, birth, residence) or legal acts (for example, marriage, naturalization) that determine your French nationality.
You may need a CNF for example for a 1mother application for a secure identity document (identity card or passport) or to apply for a public service job.
FYI : if you have never had french nationality and you want to obtain it, the procedure to be followed is an application for french nationality by declaration or naturalization..
For a major
You must submit the application personally.
For a minor
You must be represented by a parent if you are under the age of 16.
For a guardianship or trusteeship
A guardian must be represented by his guardian.
A person under a trustee may submit his application himself.
You live in France
The application is to be sent by mail or to be presented by hand to the court of justice or of proximity.
Who shall I contact
You live abroad
You were born in France
The application must be addressed by mail or presented by hand to the court of justice or near your place of birth.
Who shall I contact
You were born abroad
The application is to be addressed by mail or to be presented by hand to the judicial court of Paris (center of French nationality).
Who shall I contact
One of your parents is French
Parent who became French before your majority
If you became French before age 18 because one of your parents became French, you must submit the following documents:
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate with indication of your filiation. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- 1 full copy of the parent's birth certificate that enabled you to become French
- 1 full copy of the marriage certificate of your parents or, if they are not married, 1 full copy of the certificate of recognition proving your filiation
- Proof of acquisition of French nationality by the parent concerned:
- amplifying the decree or copy of the Official Journal where the naturalization decree was published or certified by the ministry responsible for naturalization
- or copy of the declaration of nationality the competent minister shall declare his registration
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
Birth abroad of 1 or 2 French parents
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate with indication of your filiation. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- 1 full copy of the birth certificate of your French parent.
- 1 full copy of the marriage certificate of your parents or, if they are not married, 1 full copy of the certificate of recognition proving your filiation
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
Birth in France of 1 or 2 French parent(s) and born abroad
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate with indication of your filiation. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- 1 full copy of the birth certificate of each of your French parents
- 1 full copy of the marriage certificate of your parents or, if they are not married, 1 full copy of the certificate of recognition proving your filiation
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
Birth in France of 1 or 2 parents born in France
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate with indication of your filiation. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- 1 full copy of the birth certificate of each of your French parents
- 1 full copy of the marriage certificate of your parents or, if they are not married, 1 full copy of the certificate of recognition proving your filiation.
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
Your parents are foreigners
You became French by naturalization
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- Proof of naturalization: amplifying the decree or copy of the Official Journal where the naturalization decree was published or a certificate issued by the ministry responsible for naturalization (unless the decree on the birth certificate is mentioned)
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
You became French by marriage
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- Declaration of nationality mentioning his/her registration by the competent minister (unless mentioned in the declaration on the birth certificate)
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
Birth and residence in France for 5 years
You have become French by majority by birth and residence in France for 5 years:
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- All documents indicating that you have resided in France for a period of 5 years between 11 and 18 years (school certificates, apprenticeship contracts, probationary certificates, work certificates, etc.)
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
Birth in France of 1 or 2 parents born in France
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate with indication of your filiation. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- 1 full copy of the birth certificate of each of your parents born in France
- 1 full copy of the marriage certificate of your parents or, if they are not married, 1 full copy of the certificate of recognition proving your filiation
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
You became French by declaration (other case)
- 1 photo ID
- 1 proof of identity (national identity card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- 1 proof of residence (recent electricity bill, rental contract, tax notice, etc.)
- 1 full copy of your birth certificate. The act must be recent because an ancient act does not allow to verify a possible change of nationality (judgment of extraneity, renunciation of French nationality, etc.).
- Declaration of nationality mentioning his/her registration by the competent minister (unless mentioned in the declaration on the birth certificate)
This list is indicative. Additional documentation may be required to prove nationality (including documents proving state possession). Ask the court.
Documents must be provided in original.. Civil registration documents established abroad must be translated and if necessary legalized..
The delivery of the certificate of French nationality is free.
The certificate shall be issued by transplant court.
FYI : in the event of an error in the document, the registry that issued the certificate must be contacted.
Certificate has no validity limit.
If you lose your certificate of French nationality, you must file a new application.
Any refusal to issue a certificate of French nationality must be in writing, motivated and notified..
You can do one hierarchical remedy before the Ministry of Justice and/or a contentious appeal before the court. There is no time limit for making these 2 appeals.
Hierarchical remedy
You may appeal to the Minister of Justice by mail.
Attach a copy of the refusal decision to your appeal.
Who shall I contact
Litigation
You can appeal to the court or local court.
You must be represented by a lawyer.