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French naturalization by decree
Verified 18 July 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Evolution of certain rules relating to French naturalization
From 1er in january 2026, the level of knowledge in french history, culture and business will be checked during a civic examination.
In particular, orders must set out the content of the online repository illustrating the areas and level of knowledge required, as well as the way in which the civic examination will be organized.
That's what the decree no. 2025-648 of 15 july 2025.
In the meantime, the information presented on this page remains current.
You are a foreigner and you want to apply for French nationality? Naturalization by decree is a procedure for acquiring French nationality. We tell you the information to know and the steps of the process.
What applies to you ?

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You live in France
Step-by-step approach
One video explains the conditions to be met to obtain french nationality by naturalization:
Vidéo - French Naturalization - Conditions to be met
- Who is naturalization for?
You are concerned if you cannot have French nationality in any other way.
For example, if you are married to a French person, you can become French by declaration, subject to conditions.
If you are a father, mother, grandparent, brother or sister of a French person, you can also make a declaration of French nationality, subject to conditions
- Do I have to live in France with my family to apply?
Yes, for at least five years. Except in certain situations, for example if you are a refugee.
- What residence permit to have?
You must have a valid residence permit. If you're European, you don't need it.
- Do I have to speak French?
You must know how to speak and write in French. With an oral and written B1 level of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERL).
- I have to prove my integration in France?
You must have knowledge of the major dates in the history of France, and know the rights and duties of the citizen *. We must also respect the values of the Republic: freedom, equality, fraternity.
- Will my behavior and criminal record be checked?
Yes. You must not have committed acts contrary to public order.
FYI
If you do not meet all the conditions, check if you can become french by another procedure.
Age
You must be major.
You can submit your application from the age of 17. If your application is accepted, you will obtain naturalization from the age of 18.
Naturalization may be granted to a minor child who has remained a foreigner even though one of his parents has become a Frenchman. However, the child must have resided in France with this parent for 5 years before the application for naturalization was submitted.
Place of residence
You must reside in France at the time of signature of the naturalization decree (decision).
This means that you must have in France the center of your material interests (including professionals) and your family ties.
If you reside in France but your spouse and/or children reside abroad, you may be refused French nationality.
Minimum length of residence in France
One minimum duration of 5 years of residence in France is required.
However, there are exceptions.
No minimum length of residence in France is not required if you are in one of the following situations:
- You have refugee status
- You're from a francophone country and you speak french, because it's your mother tongue
- You come from a French-speaking country and have been educated for 5 years or more in a French-language teaching institution
- You served in the French army
- You joined the French army or an allied army in time of war
- You have rendered exceptional services to France.
A minimum period of 2 years of residence in France is required if you are in any of the following situations:
- You graduated from a French higher education institution after 2 years of study
- You can render (or have rendered) important services to France given your abilities and talents
- You have completed an exceptional journey of integration (activities or actions carried out in the civic, scientific, economic, cultural or sporting fields…).
Regularity of stay in France
You must have a valid residence permit at the time of filing your application.
However, you don't need it if you are European (EU/EEA/Switzerland).
You must not have been the subject of a deportation order or a prohibition of french territory still in force.
Assimilation to the French community
You must prove your assimilation to the French community, in particular in the following way:
- You must agree with the essential principles and values of the Republic
- You must have knowledge about history, the culture and the French business.
The citizen's booklet indicates the required knowledge.
You can download this booklet or consult it at the reception of the prefectures.
Knowledge of the French language
You have to prove a sufficient knowledge of the french language.
Professional integration
Professional integration is an essential condition for assimilation and integration in France.
Professional integration means that you must have stable and sufficient income to support you and your family tax home.
Morality and absence of criminal convictions
You must be good lives and morals.
This means in particular that you must not have been the author of facts contrary to public order.
You must not be in one of the following situations:
- Have been sentenced in France to a prison term without reprieve 6 months or more
- Have been convicted for a crime or a offense constituting an attack on the fundamental interests of the Nation or a act of terrorism.
However, this obligation does not apply to you in case of rehabilitation or exclusion of the mention of the conviction of the bulletin n°2 of your criminal record.
General case
The process costs €55.
This tax is paid with a fiscal stamp.
However, if you file your application abroad, payment is made to the consulate.
Warning
Private websites offer a paid service for the acquisition of French nationality. For example, to get an appointment in the prefecture. However, except for the tax stamp, know that the acquisition of the french nationality is a free approach.
Documents to be provided
One video explains the documents to be provided:
Vidéo - French Naturalization - Documents to be provided
What documents do I need to provide, regardless of my situation?
· 1 official identity document. For example, your passport.
· 1 tax stamp of 55 €
· 1 double-sided copy of your valid residence permit (unless you have the nationality of a European State)
What are the other documents?
You must provide supporting documents regarding:
· your marital status
· your nationality
· your home
· your stay in France
· your resources
You must also provide proof if you live or have lived in a couple, and if you have minor children.
Do I have to prove my level in French?
Yes, the required level of knowledge in French is the oral and written level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERL).
Are there any special situations?
Yes, for example, if you have been living in France for less than 10 years, you must also provide an original extract of a foreigners criminal record or equivalent document from all the countries where you have resided.
Do I have to have the documents translated?
Yes, you must attach a French translation of any document written in another language.
The translation must be done by a certified translator. It is the translator who tells you his deadlines and prices.
In addition, some foreigner documents may need to be legalized or apostilled. This formality is used to authenticate the document. Ask the embassy or consulate of your country of origin.
Do I need to provide originals or copies of documents?
For the online submission of your file, the documents are scanned or photographed.
However, keep the original documents of civil status because you must be able to present them during the examination of your application.
A civil status document must be provided in full and in original in the language of the country of origin.
A French civil status document must be issued within 3 months.
Can I have a summary of the documents to be provided?
Yes, a simulator allows you to have a customized list of documents to be provided.
The simulator is available on our website Service-Public.fr.
How do I submit my file?
The application is sent online via an online service available on Service-Public.fr
At each stage of the processing of your request, you will receive an email to the email address you have indicated.
Warning:
- If you are domiciled in French Guiana, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the Wallis and Futuna Islands, French Polynesia and New Caledonia, your application must be submitted to the naturalization platform of your home. An interactive map is available on Service-Public.fr to know the coordinates of your platform.
- If you live abroad, the application must be submitted to a French consulate.
How can I do this if I can't send my application online?
You can be accompanied by the ANTS Citizen Contact Center.
You can contact him by email using the contact form available on the website of the Directorate-General for foreigners in France, or by phone (Monday to Friday from 7.45 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm):
· At 34 00 in metropolitan France (number not surcharged)
· Or on 09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and the foreigner
You can also get help from a settled e-hotspot in each prefecture and most sub-prefectures.
Can I be asked for more documents after sending my file?
Yes, depending on your situation, the instructor department may ask you for other documents and set a deadline for providing them.
If you do not provide the requested documents within the set deadline, your file may be closed without further action.
This means that it is not being studied.
You can use a simulator to have the custom list of documents to be provided :
What documents are required for my naturalization file?
Prepare the following documents to build your file (attention, if the 2 members of a couple want to apply for naturalization, they must constitute 2 files):
Shipping online
- Tax stamp of €55
- Duplex copy of your residence permit valid, unless you are a citizen of switzerland or European State (EU/EEA)
- Official identity document (passport or residence permit)
- Proofs of your civil status and nationality
- Proofs of your domicile
- Proof of your resources and taxes
- Diploma or certificate justifying your level of knowledge of the French language
- Supporting documents if you live as a couple
- Supporting documents if you have already been married (divorce or widowhood)
- Supporting documents if you have minor children
- If you are veteran or legionnairestatus of services, decorations and quotes obtained
- If you have been living in France for less than 10 years, original extract from a criminal record, foreigner or equivalent document. It must be issued by a competent authority of the country or countries in which you have lived, or failing that, the country of your nationality. This document is not required, concerning your country of origin, if you are a refugee or stateless person protected byOfpra: titleContent.
- If you are a national of a non-EU country European (EU) and that you went into the Schengen area from a State that is not part of this space for a period of less than 3 months during the 5 years preceding the filing of your application, provide your passport or any equivalent document (e.g. a Schengen visa), and those of your minor children who could become French by their majority
If you wish, you can complete your application online with information that seems to you to be of particular interest.
Sending by mail
- Form cerfa no. 12753 in 2 copies, completed, dated and signed. Consult the information leaflet attached to the form before filling it out.
- Tax stamp of €55 (except in the case of an application made abroad)
- Duplex copy of your valid residence permit, unless you are a Swiss citizen or a European State (EU/EEA)
- 2 photo ID format 35 x 45 mm, bare head. Indicate your surname, first name and date of birth on the back
- Official identity document (passport or residence permit)
- Proofs of your civil status and nationality
- Proofs of your domicile
- Proof of your resources and taxes
- Diploma or certificate justifying your level of knowledge of the French language
- Supporting documents if you live as a couple
- Supporting documents if you have already been married (divorce or widowhood)
- Supporting documents if you have minor children
- If you are veteran or legionnairestatus of services, decorations and quotes obtained
- If you have been living in France for less than 10 years, original extract from a criminal record, foreigner or equivalent document. It must be issued by a competent authority of the country or countries in which you have lived, or failing that, the country of your nationality. This document is not required, concerning your country of origin, if you are a refugee or stateless person protected byOfpra: titleContent.
- If you are a national of a non-EU country European (EU) and that you went into the Schengen area from a State that is not part of this space for a period of less than 3 months during the 5 years preceding the filing of your application, provide your passport or any equivalent document (e.g. a Schengen visa), and those of your minor children who could become French by their majority
If you wish, you can complete your request with information that seems to you to be of particular interest. Enter this information on free paper. For example, your participation in community life in France.
Please note
Depending on your situation, other documents may be requested.
The instructor service may ask you to provide additional documents or to carry out administrative formalities that are necessary for the examination of your application.
The instructor service sets a deadline for you to do this. If you do not meet the deadline, your file may be closed without further action. This means that it is not being studied.
The instructor service will help notified the decision to dismiss without further action.
The decision to dismiss without further action shall indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal.
One receipt you are issued when you have provided all the requested documents.
Francization of surname and/or first name
During your request, you can ask the francization of your surname and/or first name(s), and the francization of your children's first names.
You can also ask for a French first name, if you or your children do not have one.
Instructions on the documents to be provided
Even if you use the online service to send your file, you must prepare the originals of documents. You'll need it when you're called for an interview.
Deed of civil status
One deed of civil status must be provided in full and in original in the language of the country of origin.
A French civil status document must be issued within 3 months.
A copy of a foreigner civil status document must be accompanied, if necessary, by a copy of the decision in execution of which it has been drawn up, rectified or amended.
Copy or original of a document
You can provide copies of the requested documents with the exception of civil status documents.
However, you must be able to present the originals of the documents if necessary.
A copy of a foreigner act must be accompanied, if necessary, by a copy of the decision in implementation of which it has been drawn up, rectified or amended.
Translation
You must attach a French translation of each document written in a foreign language. You must provide the original translation. The translation must be done by a certified translator or authorized to intervene with the judicial or administrative authorities of another european countries. If you are abroad, contact the French Embassy or Consulate for a list of accredited translators.
The translation of a multilingual extract of a birth certificate or marriage certificate in which one of the languages is french is not necessary for a person of full age.
In addition, to avoid having to translate certain documents issued by a the European Union, one multilingual form can be joined. Consult the e-justice site for further information.
Legalization or Apostille
Certain documents issued abroad must be legalized or apostillate to be accepted in France. Ask the French embassy or consulate in the country concerned for legalization, and the embassy or consulate of the country concerned for the apostille.
The process varies depending on where you live.
General case
You can send your request online.
At each stage of processing your request, you will receive an email to the email address you have provided.
Online application for French naturalization or reintegration into French nationality
In case of difficulties, you can benefit from support from the EU Citizens Contact CenterANTS: titleContent.
Who shall I contact
Citizens Contact Center - French Nationality
You can get help with the online filing of your application for French naturalization and have information on the follow-up of your file.
By phone
0806 001 620 (number not overtaxed) in metropolitan France, from overseas territories and the foreigner.
From Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
You can also get help from a settled e-hotspot in each prefecture and most sub-prefectures. Ask your prefecture for information on how to make an appointment.
Who shall I contact
If you are unable to submit your application via the online service, you can submit your application by post to the naturalization platform of your home.
However, you must provide either an email from the citizens contact center ANTS: titleContent , or a document from the prefecture or sub-prefecture, attesting to the impossibility of filing your application online.
Add to your file a stamped envelope at your address and a letter “followed” 500 g blank.
Who shall I contact
You live in Guyana
You must file your file with the prefecture of Guyana if you are not currently a legionnaire.
Click on the interactive map to access the information of the naturalization platform of Guyana (address of the public reception desk, postal address, opening hours, telephone numbers, email...).
Who shall I contact
FYI
Users residing in Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the Wallis and Futuna Islands, French Polynesia and New Caledonia may not use the online service.
The process varies depending on whether you sent your file online or by mail.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Sending the file online
If your situation changes after the receipt is issued, you must inform the administration via your personal online space.
For example, if your family or professional situation has changed, or if you have changed your address.
Attach the supporting documents in photographed or digitized format.
Online application for French naturalization or reintegration into French nationality
A receipt of the sending of documents will be notified to you by email on your personal space.
Sending the file by mail
If your situation changes after the receipt is issued, you must inform the department that received your request.
For example, if your family or professional situation has changed or if you have changed your address.
You must complete the declaration of change of situation attached to cerfa form n°12753. Join them supporting documents.
Application for acquisition of French nationality by naturalization or reintegration
The change of situation declaration must be sent to the naturalization platform that received your application.
Who shall I contact
One receipt the filing of documents will be issued to you.
You are summoned to an interview if the following 2 conditions are met:
- Your request is admissible
- No reason other than verification of the condition of assimilation to the French community prevents the obtaining of French nationality.
The purpose of the interview is check your assimilation to the french community, including your adherence to the principles and core values of the Republic. The charter of rights and duties of the french citizen indicates these principles and values.
To prepare for the interview, you can consult the citizen's booklet.
You must bring the originals of documents necessary for the examination of your application.
At the end of the interview, you must sign the charter of rights and duties of the french citizen.
Please note
If you do not show up for the interview, without legitimate reason, your request may be filed without follow-up.
An investigation is made into your civic behavior (manifested for example by paying taxes).
The survey may be supplemented by consultation with consular and social bodies.
The administration also checks your possible criminal record in France and abroad.
The process varies depending on whether you sent your file online or by mail.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Sending the file online
You can track the progress of your application on your personal online space and respond to any additional requests.
For example, if a document is missing or in case of non-conformity of the civil status.
At each stage of the processing of your request, you receive a notification by email on your personal space.
Online application for French naturalization or reintegration into French nationality
The administration has 18 months maximum from the issuance of the receipt to respond to a request for naturalization or reintegration into French nationality.
This period shall be reduced to 12 months when you prove that you have been habitually resident in France for at least 10 years on the date of delivery of the receipt.
The response times can be extended 1 time for a period of 3 months.
In this case, the administration must justify its decision, i.e. explain why it needs more time to respond.
Sending the file by mail
To inquire about the progress of your application or provide additional documents, you must contact by mail the department responsible for examining applications for acquisition of French nationality.
Who shall I contact
Sub-Directorate for Access to French Nationality
To inquire about the progress of an application for acquisition of French nationality or to communicate additional documents (file by mail only), or to know the documents to be attached to a request for francization of surname / first name.
By email
sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr
By user assistance form
You can also use a dynamic form which guides you according to your request
FYI
When the instructor service registers your request, you receive a mail informing you of the allocation of a ministerial number. You also receive a mail to the end of the procedure to inform you of the date of naturalization decree and the date of publication of the decree in JO: titleContent.
The administration has 18 months maximum from the issuance of the receipt to respond to a request for naturalization or reintegration into French nationality.
This period shall be reduced to 12 months when you prove that you have been habitually resident in France for at least 10 years on the date of delivery of the receipt.
The response times can be extended 1 time for a period of 3 months.
In this case, the administration must justify its decision, i.e. explain why it needs more time to respond.
You are informed by mail of your registration in the naturalization decree after its publication in the Official Journal (or by mail if you did not send an email when you created your file).
You must download your naturalization decree on the Legifrance website.
The naturalization decree shall take effect on the date of its signature.
Your unmarried minor children who usually reside with you also become French if their name is mentioned in the naturalization decree. The minority of the child is assessed on the date of signature of the decree.
The naturalization decree may be withdrawn within 2 years of its publication in the JO: titleContent, on the assent of the Council of State, if the administration finds that you do not meet the conditions.
The naturalization decree can also be withdrawn in case of fraud, within 2 years from the discovery of the fraud.
Once you become French, you can request a national identity card and/or a passport.
If your children became French at the same time as you, you can apply for a national identity card and a passport for each of them.
FYI
A young man turned French between 16 and 25 years old, shall get a census within one month of obtaining French nationality.
The approach varies depending on the document to be corrected.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Transcription error in the Official Journal
The approach varies according to you have sent your file online or by mail.
Sending the file online
When your name appears in a naturalization decree, you receive a mail.
You are invited to consult the naturalization decree from the personal space created during your online application for access to french nationality.
If you notice an error, an oversight… in the French naturalization decree, you can request rectification if the order contains one or more errors, or a change if the decree does not take into account an event that occurred before its signature.
One online service allows you to do the process online:
Apply online for a modification or a correction of a French naturalization decree
Sending the paper file
If you notice a transcription error relating to your civil status in the naturalization decree published in the Official Journal, report it by mail or email to the Ministry of the Interior.
Who shall I contact
Ministry of the Interior - Naturalization
By mail
Ministry of the Interior
General Directorate of foreigners in France
Directorate for Integration and Access to Nationality
Sub-Directorate for Access to French Nationality
12 Francis le Carval Street
44404 REZÉ CEDEX
By email
sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr
sdanf-brupi-preuve-nat@interieur.gouv.fr (for any proof of French nationality)
Error on a civil status certificate
If you notice an error on a civil status document (birth and/or marriage), you must send a letter to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Who shall I contact
Central Civil Registry Service (Scec)
Attention: the Central Civil Registry Service does not welcome any public.
Civil status (birth, marriage or death) of a French person abroad
Only by mail to the following address:
Central Civil Registry Service
11 White House Street
44941 Nantes Cedex 09
You can apply for a civil status certificate via a online service.
For further information, you can:
Consult the site diplomatie.gouv.fr
Call the+33 1 41 86 42 47 Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm.
Free access to video interpretation or instant speech transcription for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Use the following online form: https://etat-civil.diplomatie.gouv.fr/rece-informationusager-ui/
The administration can make a decision unfavorable if your request is inadmissible or untimely. The decision of the administration must be reasoned.
Your request is inadmissible if the conditions laid down by law are not met. If the grounds for inadmissibility disappear, you can make a new request.
Your request is untimely if the acquisition of french nationality is not, or not yet, conceivable: your application may be denied (rejected) or deferred (adjourned). In case of postponement, a deadline is imposed, for example to allow you to improve your professional integration. Once this deadline has passed, you can make a new request.
An application that is closed without further action means that it is not considered.
If your application has been declared untimely and refused (rejected), a new application submitted less than 5 years after the notification of the refusal, may be discontinued without further action, after consideration of any new circumstances indicated.
If your application has been declared untimely and postponed (adjourned), a new application submitted before the end of the prescribed period may be dismissed.
The decision to dismiss without further action shall indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal. Prior administrative recourse to the Minister responsible for naturalizations is not mandatory. You can appeal directly litigation.
The appeal against an unfavorable decision varies according to you have sent your file online or by mail.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Sending the file online
The unfavorable decision is yours notified online on your personal area (section My Notifications).
You have a deadline of 2 months from notification of the unfavorable decision to make an administrative appeal (hierarchical appeal) to the minister responsible for naturalizations.
You must use the form available on your personal area (section My Notifications).
If you receive a negative answeror in the absence of a reply within 4 months from the date of receipt of your appeal, you have a period of 2 months to make a contentious remedies before the Administrative Court of Nantes.
The deadline runs from the notification of the negative decision (in the absence of a response, consult theAR: titleContent of your administrative appeal to know the remedies and deadlines).
Who shall I contact
Warning
The administrative appeal must be made before a contentious remedies.
Sending the paper file
The unfavorable decision is yours notified by registered mail with AR: titleContent or during a summons to the prefecture.
You have a deadline of 2 months from notification of the unfavorable decision to make an administrative appeal (hierarchical appeal) to the minister responsible for naturalizations.
Who shall I contact
Ministry of the Interior - Naturalization
By mail
Ministry of the Interior
General Directorate of foreigners in France
Directorate for Integration and Access to Nationality
Sub-Directorate for Access to French Nationality
12 Francis le Carval Street
44404 REZÉ CEDEX
By email
sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr
sdanf-brupi-preuve-nat@interieur.gouv.fr (for any proof of French nationality)
If you receive a negative answeror in the absence of a reply within 4 months from the date of receipt of your appeal, you have a period of 2 months to make a contentious remedies before the Administrative Court of Nantes.
The deadline runs from the notification of the negative decision (in the absence of a response, consult theAR: titleContent of your administrative appeal to know the remedies and deadlines).
Who shall I contact
.
Warning
The administrative appeal must be made before a contentious remedies.
You live abroad
Step-by-step approach
One video explains the conditions to be met to obtain french nationality by naturalization:
Vidéo - French Naturalization - Conditions to be met
- Who is naturalization for?
You are concerned if you cannot have French nationality in any other way.
For example, if you are married to a French person, you can become French by declaration, subject to conditions.
If you are a father, mother, grandparent, brother or sister of a French person, you can also make a declaration of French nationality, subject to conditions
- Do I have to live in France with my family to apply?
Yes, for at least five years. Except in certain situations, for example if you are a refugee.
- What residence permit to have?
You must have a valid residence permit. If you're European, you don't need it.
- Do I have to speak French?
You must know how to speak and write in French. With an oral and written B1 level of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERL).
- I have to prove my integration in France?
You must have knowledge of the major dates in the history of France, and know the rights and duties of the citizen *. We must also respect the values of the Republic: freedom, equality, fraternity.
- Will my behavior and criminal record be checked?
Yes. You must not have committed acts contrary to public order.
FYI
If you do not meet all the conditions, check if you can become french by another procedure.
Age
You must be major.
You can submit your application from the age of 17. If your application is accepted, you will obtain naturalization from the age of 18.
Naturalization may be granted to a minor child who has remained a foreigner even though one of his parents has become a Frenchman. However, the child must have resided in France with this parent for 5 years before the application for naturalization was submitted.
Place of residence
You can be naturalized by decree provided you complete one the following conditions:
- You are engaged in a public or private professional activity on behalf of the French State or an organization whose activity is of particular interest to the French economy or culture
- You live in Monaco
- You do your national service or are engaged in regular training of the French army
- You're a national service volunteer
If you meet any of these conditions, it implies that your spouse and minor children who live with you also meet them.
Regularity of the stay
You must have a valid residence permit at the time of filing your application.
However, you don't need it if you are European (EEA) or Swiss.
You must not have been the subject of a deportation order or a prohibition of french territory still in force.
Assimilation to the French community
You must prove your assimilation to the French community, in particular in the following way:
- You must agree with the essential principles and values of the Republic
- You must have knowledge about history, the culture and the French business.
The citizen's booklet indicates the required knowledge.
You can download this booklet or consult it at the reception of the prefectures.
Knowledge of the French language
You have to prove a sufficient knowledge of the french language.
Professional integration
Professional integration is an essential condition for assimilation and integration in France.
Professional integration means that you must have stable and sufficient income to support you and your family tax home.
Morality and absence of criminal convictions
You must be good lives and morals.
This means in particular that you must not have committed acts contrary to public order.
You must not be in one of the following situations:
- Have been sentenced in France to a prison term without reprieve 6 months or more
- Have been convicted for a crime or a offense constituting an attack on the fundamental interests of the Nation or a act of terrorism.
However, this obligation does not apply to you in case of rehabilitation or exclusion of the mention of the conviction of the bulletin n°2 of your criminal record.
The application for naturalization costs €55.
Payment is made to the consulate.
Who shall I contact
Documents to be provided
One video explains the documents to be provided:
Vidéo - French Naturalization - Documents to be provided
What documents do I need to provide, regardless of my situation?
· 1 official identity document. For example, your passport.
· 1 tax stamp of 55 €
· 1 double-sided copy of your valid residence permit (unless you have the nationality of a European State)
What are the other documents?
You must provide supporting documents regarding:
· your marital status
· your nationality
· your home
· your stay in France
· your resources
You must also provide proof if you live or have lived in a couple, and if you have minor children.
Do I have to prove my level in French?
Yes, the required level of knowledge in French is the oral and written level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERL).
Are there any special situations?
Yes, for example, if you have been living in France for less than 10 years, you must also provide an original extract of a foreigners criminal record or equivalent document from all the countries where you have resided.
Do I have to have the documents translated?
Yes, you must attach a French translation of any document written in another language.
The translation must be done by a certified translator. It is the translator who tells you his deadlines and prices.
In addition, some foreigner documents may need to be legalized or apostilled. This formality is used to authenticate the document. Ask the embassy or consulate of your country of origin.
Do I need to provide originals or copies of documents?
For the online submission of your file, the documents are scanned or photographed.
However, keep the original documents of civil status because you must be able to present them during the examination of your application.
A civil status document must be provided in full and in original in the language of the country of origin.
A French civil status document must be issued within 3 months.
Can I have a summary of the documents to be provided?
Yes, a simulator allows you to have a customized list of documents to be provided.
The simulator is available on our website Service-Public.fr.
How do I submit my file?
The application is sent online via an online service available on Service-Public.fr
At each stage of the processing of your request, you will receive an email to the email address you have indicated.
Warning:
- If you are domiciled in French Guiana, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the Wallis and Futuna Islands, French Polynesia and New Caledonia, your application must be submitted to the naturalization platform of your home. An interactive map is available on Service-Public.fr to know the coordinates of your platform.
- If you live abroad, the application must be submitted to a French consulate.
How can I do this if I can't send my application online?
You can be accompanied by the ANTS Citizen Contact Center.
You can contact him by email using the contact form available on the website of the Directorate-General for foreigners in France, or by phone (Monday to Friday from 7.45 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm):
· At 34 00 in metropolitan France (number not surcharged)
· Or on 09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and the foreigner
You can also get help from a settled e-hotspot in each prefecture and most sub-prefectures.
Can I be asked for more documents after sending my file?
Yes, depending on your situation, the instructor department may ask you for other documents and set a deadline for providing them.
If you do not provide the requested documents within the set deadline, your file may be closed without further action.
This means that it is not being studied.
You can use a simulator to have the custom list of documents to be provided :
What documents are required for my naturalization file?
Prepare the following documents to build your file (attention, if the 2 members of a couple want to apply for naturalization, they must constitute 2 files):
- Form cerfa no. 12753 in 2 copies, completed, dated and signed. Consult the information leaflet attached to the form before filling it out.
- Tax stamp of €55 (except in the case of an application made abroad)
- Duplex copy of your valid residence permit, unless you are a Swiss citizen or a European State (EU/EEA)
- 2 photo ID format 35 x 45 mm, bare head. Indicate your surname, first name and date of birth on the back
- Official identity document (passport or residence permit)
- Proofs of your civil status and nationality
- Proofs of your domicile
- Proof of your resources and taxes
- Diploma or certificate justifying your level of knowledge of the French language
- Supporting documents if you live as a couple
- Supporting documents if you have already been married (divorce or widowhood)
- Supporting documents if you have minor children
- If you are veteran or legionnairestatus of services, decorations and quotes obtained
- If you have been living in France for less than 10 years, original extract from a criminal record, foreigner or equivalent document. It must be issued by a competent authority of the country or countries in which you have lived, or failing that, the country of your nationality. This document is not required, concerning your country of origin, if you are a refugee or stateless person protected byOfpra: titleContent.
- If you are a national of a non-EU country European (EU) and that you went into the Schengen area from a State that is not part of this space for a period of less than 3 months during the 5 years preceding the filing of your application, provide your passport or any equivalent document (e.g. a Schengen visa), and those of your minor children who could become French by their majority
If you wish, you can complete your request with information that seems to you to be of particular interest. Enter this information on free paper. For example, your participation in community life in France.
Please note
Depending on your situation, other documents may be requested.
The instructor service may ask you to provide additional documents or to carry out administrative formalities that are necessary for the examination of your application.
The instructor service sets a deadline for you to do this. If you do not meet the deadline, your file may be closed without further action. This means that it is not being studied.
The instructor service will help notified the decision to dismiss without further action.
The decision to dismiss without further action shall indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal.
One receipt you are issued when you have provided all the requested documents.
Francization of surname and/or first name
During your request, you can ask the francization of your surname and/or first name(s), and the francization of your children's first names.
You can also ask for a French first name, if you or your children do not have one.
Instructions on the documents to be provided
Deed of civil status
One deed of civil status must be provided in full and in original in the language of the country of origin.
A French civil status document must be issued within 3 months.
A copy of a foreigner civil status document must be accompanied, if necessary, by a copy of the decision in execution of which it has been drawn up, rectified or amended.
Copy or original of a document
You can provide copies of the requested documents with the exception of civil status documents.
However, you must be able to present the originals of the documents if necessary.
A copy of a foreigner act must be accompanied, if necessary, by a copy of the decision in implementation of which it has been drawn up, rectified or amended.
Translation
You must attach a French translation of each document written in a foreign language. You must provide the original translation. The translation must be done by a certified translator or authorized to intervene with the judicial or administrative authorities of another european countries. If you are abroad, contact the French Embassy or Consulate for a list of accredited translators.
The translation of a multilingual extract of a birth certificate or marriage certificate in which one of the languages is french is not necessary for a person of full age.
In addition, to avoid having to translate certain documents issued by a the European Union, one multilingual form can be joined. Consult the e-justice site for further information.
Legalization or Apostille
Certain documents issued abroad must be legalized or apostillate to be accepted in France. Ask the French embassy or consulate in the country concerned for legalization, and the embassy or consulate of the country concerned for the apostille.
You must file your application for naturalization with a french consulate.
Who shall I contact
If your situation changes after the receipt is issued, you must inform the department that received your request.
For example, if your family or professional situation has changed or if you have changed your address.
You must complete the declaration of change of situation attached to cerfa form n°12753. Join them supporting documents.
Application for acquisition of French nationality by naturalization or reintegration
The change of situation declaration must be sent to the naturalization platform that received your application.
Who shall I contact
One receipt the filing of documents will be issued to you.
You are summoned to an interview if the following 2 conditions are met:
- Your request is admissible
- No reason other than verification of the condition of assimilation to the French community prevents the obtaining of French nationality.
The purpose of the interview is check your assimilation to the french community, including your adherence to the principles and core values of the Republic. The charter of rights and duties of the french citizen indicates these principles and values.
To prepare for the interview, you can consult the citizen's booklet.
You must bring the originals of documents necessary for the examination of your application.
At the end of the interview, you must sign the charter of rights and duties of the french citizen.
Please note
If you do not show up for the interview, without legitimate reason, your request may be filed without follow-up.
An investigation is made into your civic behavior (manifested for example by paying taxes).
The survey may be supplemented by consultation with consular and social bodies.
The administration also checks your possible criminal record in France and abroad.
To inquire about the progress of your application or provide additional documents, you must contact by mail the department responsible for examining applications for acquisition of French nationality.
Who shall I contact
Sub-Directorate for Access to French Nationality
To inquire about the progress of an application for acquisition of French nationality or to communicate additional documents (file by mail only), or to know the documents to be attached to a request for francization of surname / first name.
By email
sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr
By user assistance form
You can also use a dynamic form which guides you according to your request
FYI
When the instructor service registers your request, you receive a mail informing you of the allocation of a ministerial number. You also receive a mail to the end of the procedure to inform you of the date of naturalization decree and the date of publication of the decree in JO: titleContent.
The administration has 18 months maximum from the issuance of the receipt to respond to a request for naturalization or reintegration into French nationality.
This period shall be reduced to 12 months when you prove that you have been habitually resident in France for at least 10 years on the date of delivery of the receipt.
The response times can be extended 1 time for a period of 3 months.
In this case, the administration must justify its decision, i.e. explain why it needs more time to respond.
You receive a mail to inform you of your registration in the naturalization decree, after its publication in the Official Journal.
The naturalization decree shall take effect on the date of its signature.
Your unmarried minor children who usually reside with you also become French if their name is mentioned in the naturalization decree. The minority of the child is assessed on the date of signature of the decree.
The naturalization decree may be withdrawn within 2 years of its publication in the JO: titleContent, on the assent of the Council of State, if the administration finds that you do not meet the conditions.
The naturalization decree can also be withdrawn in case of fraud, within 2 years from the discovery of the fraud.
Once you become French, you can request a national identity card and/or a passport.
If your children became French at the same time as you, you can apply for a national identity card and a passport for each of them.
FYI
A young man turned French between 16 and 25 years old, shall get a census within one month of obtaining French nationality.
The approach varies depending on the document to be corrected.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Transcription error in the Official Journal
If you notice a transcription error relating to your civil status in the naturalization decree published in the Official Journal, report it by mail or email to the Ministry of the Interior.
Who shall I contact
Ministry of the Interior - Naturalization
By mail
Ministry of the Interior
General Directorate of foreigners in France
Directorate for Integration and Access to Nationality
Sub-Directorate for Access to French Nationality
12 Francis le Carval Street
44404 REZÉ CEDEX
By email
sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr
sdanf-brupi-preuve-nat@interieur.gouv.fr (for any proof of French nationality)
Error on a civil status certificate
If you notice an error on a civil status document (birth and/or marriage), you must send a letter to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Who shall I contact
Central Civil Registry Service (Scec)
Attention: the Central Civil Registry Service does not welcome any public.
Civil status (birth, marriage or death) of a French person abroad
Only by mail to the following address:
Central Civil Registry Service
11 White House Street
44941 Nantes Cedex 09
You can apply for a civil status certificate via a online service.
For further information, you can:
Consult the site diplomatie.gouv.fr
Call the+33 1 41 86 42 47 Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm.
Free access to video interpretation or instant speech transcription for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Use the following online form: https://etat-civil.diplomatie.gouv.fr/rece-informationusager-ui/
The administration can make a decision unfavorable if your request is inadmissible or untimely. The decision of the administration must be reasoned.
Your request is inadmissible if the conditions laid down by law are not met. If the grounds for inadmissibility disappear, you can make a new application.
Your request is inappropriate if the acquisition of french nationality is not, or not yet, possible: your application may be refused (rejected) or postponed (postponed). In case of postponement, a deadline is imposed, for example to allow you to improve your professional integration. Once this deadline has passed, you can make a new request.
An application that is closed without further action means that it is not considered.
If your application has been declared untimely and refused (rejected), a new application submitted less than 5 years after the notification of the refusal, may be discontinued without further action, after consideration of any new circumstances indicated.
If your application has been declared untimely and postponed (adjourned), a new application submitted before the end of the prescribed period may be dismissed.
The decision to dismiss without further action shall indicate the remedies and time limits for appeal. Prior administrative recourse to the Minister responsible for naturalizations is not mandatory. You can appeal directly litigation.
The unfavorable decision is yours notified by registered mail with AR: titleContent or when summoned to the consulate.
You have a 2 months delay from notification the unfavorable decision to make an administrative appeal (hierarchical appeal) to the minister responsible for naturalizations.
Who shall I contact
Ministry of the Interior - Naturalization
By mail
Ministry of the Interior
General Directorate of foreigners in France
Directorate for Integration and Access to Nationality
Sub-Directorate for Access to French Nationality
12 Francis le Carval Street
44404 REZÉ CEDEX
By email
sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr
sdanf-brupi-preuve-nat@interieur.gouv.fr (for any proof of French nationality)
If you receive a negative answer, or in the absence of a response in a 4 months delay from the date of receipt of your appeal, you have a 2 months delay to make a contentious remedies before the Administrative Court of Nantes.
The deadline runs from the notification of the negative decision (in the absence of a response, consult theAR: titleContent of your administrative appeal to know the remedies and deadlines).
Who shall I contact
.
Warning
The administrative appeal must be made before making a contentious remedies.
Online application for French naturalization or reintegration into French nationality
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Naturalization platforms
Administrative information by phone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Citizens Contact Center - French Nationality
You can get help with the online filing of your application for French naturalization and have information on the follow-up of your file.
By phone
0806 001 620 (number not overtaxed) in metropolitan France, from overseas territories and the foreigner.
From Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Acquisition of French nationality by decision of the public authority
Provisions common to certain methods of acquiring French nationality
Welcoming ceremony in French citizenship
Effects of the acquisition of French nationality
Administrative decisions
FAQ
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