Voluntary loss of French nationality - By declaration

If you have voluntarily acquired a foreign nationality, you can make a declaration of loss of French nationality.

1- Check the conditions to be fulfilled

You must meet the following conditions:

• Being of age
• Usually residing abroad

2- Check the deadline for making the declaration of loss of French nationality

You can make the declaration from the lodging of the application for acquisition of foreign nationality, and at the latest, within one year after the date of such acquisition.

3- Make the file of declaration of loss of French nationality

Documents to be provided

The indicative list of the documents is as follows:

• Declaration of loss of French nationality in 2 copies, dated and signed
• Birth certificate
• Official identity document
• Recent photo ID
• Any documents proving that you are a French national (certificate of French nationality or court order recognizing French nationality or magnification the decree on naturalization or reintegration into French nationality or declaration of French nationality or civil status documents)
• Certificate issued by the authorities of the country of which you acquired citizenship, stating the date of acquisition and the provisions of the applicable foreign law or any documents of the competent foreign authorities attesting to the lodging of your application for acquisition of the nationality of that country
• All documents justifying your habitual residence abroad

Instructions on the documents to be provided

Civil status record

One civil status document must be supplied in full and in original in the language of the country of origin.

A French civil status certificate must have been issued less than 3 months ago.

Copy or original of a document

You can provide copies of the requested documents except for civil status records.

However, you should be able to present the originals of the documents if necessary.

A copy of a foreigner act shall 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 translation of each document written in a foreign language.

You must provide the original translation.

The translation must be done by a translator on the list of experts approved by the courts of appeal.

However, translation is not required for a multilingual birth certificate extract one of whose languages is French.

In addition, to avoid having to translate some 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.

4- Send the declaration of loss of French nationality

5- If the declaration is accepted, keep 1 copy with the words "registered"

If there is no response within 6 months depending on the date of the receipt, this means that the declaration of loss of french nationality is recorded (accepted).

The loss of French nationality shall take effect on the date of acquisition of the other nationality.

A copy of the statement is sent to you with the mention of registration.

You must preserve this document proves the loss of French nationality.

Check the declaration for report a possible error :

• If there is an error in the information on the declaration, please send a letter to the Ministry of the Interior.
• In case of error on the civil status document (birth and/or marriage), send a letter to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

6- If the declaration is refused, make a possible appeal

The court notifies you of 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.