French nationality of a child collected or entrusted to the child welfare system

The following conditions must be met:

• The child must be a minor (under 18) on the day of summons to court to subscribe the declaration of french nationality
• The child must be, for at least 3 years, entrusted child welfare (Ase).

The request is made on free paper.

The child will be summoned to court to sign the declaration.

The legal representative of the child dates and signs the declaration if the child is under 16 years of age, or if the child is under guardianship, or if a disability prevents him from expressing his will.

The minor over the age of 16 signs the declaration himself.

The transplant, or the consulate, if the minor lives abroad, draws up the declaration of French nationality, in two copies, on the basis of the information contained in the application and the documents provided.

Documents to be provided

The documents to be provided are as follows:

• Application for French nationality on free paper
  The application must state the surname(s), first name(s), date and place of birth, address of the minor and, if necessary, the address of his/her legal representatives. It is useful to specify a telephone number and an email address.
• Copy of the decision(s) of the President of the Departmental Council implementing an administrative protection measure (reception of the minor), or certified copy of the court decision(s) ordering the placement of the minor or providing guardianship exercised by the President of the Departmental Council.

Concerning the child entrusted to Asia

• Full copy of the French or foreigners birth certificate
• Proof of identity. For example, Republican identity card, foreigner passport, school card.
• Proof of domicile
• Recent photo ID
• Supporting documents from the ESA
• If necessary, his foreigner passport, if he is a national of a non-EU country European (EU) and that he went to the Schengen area from a country which is not part of this area for a period of less than three months during the five years preceding the declaration of nationality.

Of additional documents may be requested by the department in charge of the investigation of your request according to your situation.

Instructions on the documents to be provided

Translation

Each document drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation, in original version. The translation must be done by a translator on the list of experts approved by the courts of appeal.

To avoid having to translate certain documents issued by a the European Union, one multilingual form can be attached. See the e-justice site for more information.

Legalization or Apostille

Certain documents established abroad must be legalized or apostilles to be accepted in France. Inquire at the embassy or consulate of the country concerned.

The application for French nationality must be submitted to the court or tribunal in the vicinity of the minor's place of residence.

You can submit your file or send it by mail.

You will be summoned to court to sign the declaration (the minor over 16 years of age or the legal representatives for children under 16).

One receipt is sent to you when the file is complete.

The court of justice will notify its decision reasoned Refusal.

You can appeal within 6 months from the date of notification.

The notification shall indicate how to appeal.

The lawyer is obligatory. He's the one who does the walk.

A decision to register the declaration or to refuse registration must be taken within 6 months according to the date of the receipt.

In the absence of a reply within that period, the declaration of French nationality of the child entrusted to the ESA is automatically registered (accepted).

The declaration of French nationality shall take effect on the date on which it was subscribed, i.e. the date on which it was signed by the declarant or his legal representatives.

You will receive a a copy of the declaration with an indication of the registration, surrendered by the court. Keep this copy because no other copy may be issued.

Once you have received this document, you can make the request of an identity card and a passport for the adopted child.