Does a child born stateless in France become French?
Verified 29 April 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Yes, French nationality is granted at birth to a child born stateless person in France.
When is a child born stateless in France?
A child can be born stateless in France if he or she is in any of the following situations :
- He was born in France to stateless parents themselves
- He was born in France to unknown parents
- He was born in France to parents whose nationality cannot be transmitted from birth. In some countries, nationality is not passed on to children born abroad, children born out of wedlock or adopted children.
How to prove the French nationality of a child born stateless in France?
To prove the French nationality of the child born stateless person in France, apply for a certificate of french nationality. You have to make the request before the age of majority of the child (18 years).
Reminder
The French nationality of a child, be it born in France or not, depends mainly on the nationality of his parents.
Age for applying to acquire French nationality (Article 17(3))
French by birth in France
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