A foreign national can obtain French citizenship by descent if he/she has one or both parents who are French nationals or through adoption. Determining this right according to ancestry is an important step and one with which our immigration lawyers in France can assist.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can obtain citizenship by descent in France? | Descendants of French citizens |
|
Institution in charge of granting citizenship by descent |
French Ministry of the Interior |
|
Legislation |
French Civil Code |
| Proving the existence of French grandparents to get citizenship | Proof of French nationality through: birth certificates, family records, or other official documents |
| Documents solicited |
– birth certificates, – proof of French nationality of ancestors, – identity documents |
| Examination stage for citizenship by descent application in France |
Several months to 1 year, depending on the complexity of the case |
| Time frame to issue citizenship through ancestry in France |
1-2 years, depending on the complexity of the case |
| Special cases of French citizenship by descent |
Cases involving former French colonies or if the ancestor renounced French citizenship |
| Additional evidence |
Family history documents, proof of continuous French nationality, or residency records |
| Other situations to get citizenship by descent | Individuals born outside France, to French parents, who did not automatically acquire citizenship at birth |
| Is the French passport issued after getting citizenship by descent? (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Evaluation recommended before application (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Dual citizenship available in France |
YES |
| Citizenship by descent reinstatement in France |
Possible for those who lost it under specific conditions, e.g., renunciation or loss of French nationality |
| Working with our French lawyers | Yes, our French lawyers can offer guidance in this process. |
Not all foreign nationals can qualify for citizenship by descent in France, however, they can also acquire this status through marriage, or through naturalization. Below, we will describe the situations in which you can obtain French nationality by descent, or by birth in France.
Upon request, our team can answer other questions, such as those related to residency for investors in France, not only citizenship.
Table of Contents
What are the conditions for obtaining French citizenship by descent?
Your ancestry can help you acquire citizenship by descent in France without the need to go through the naturalization process or to marry a French citizen. However, you need to be able to prove your direct lineage to a French national.
In addition to providing sufficient proof of your ancestry if you wish to obtain French citizenship by descent, there are also the following conditions for the French national to whom you are related:
- He/she is a direct line ancestor who was a legal French citizen;
- He/she was not deprived of, nor did he/she renounce his/her French citizenship.
You will need to travel to France in order to make this submission with the help of our team specializing in immigration in France. Before you do so, our French immigration lawyers can give you details on the visa requirements to enter the country, based on your nationality.
If you have a French parent or grandparent and you wish to move to France and obtain citizenship through ancestry in France, our team will help you follow the steps to make your relocation as straightforward as possible.
Required documentation for citizenship by descent in France
When applying for French citizenship through ancestry, the applicant must prepare a complete file with the following documents:
- birth certificate of the applicant, translated into French and apostilled/legalized if issued abroad;
- birth certificate(s) of the French parent or grandparent;
- proof of the ancestor’s French citizenship (national ID, passport, certificate of nationality);
- marriage certificates (if applicable);
- family records or documents that show direct lineage;
- certified French translations of all foreign-language documents;
- a completed nationality declaration form.
If you are planning to obtain citizenship in France through heritage, our French immigration lawyers can offer relevant support in this matter.
Can you apply for citizenship if you are an ascendant, not a descendant of a French national?
Foreign nationals who are 65 years or older, and who have a child or grandchild who has acquired citizenship in France through origin, can submit a declaration of French nationality so they can also acquire this status.
The following conditions apply to ascendants who wish to obtain citizenship based on their lineage:
- Residence: the applicant needs to have been a French resident for 25 years or more (have a valid residence permit);
- Children: the descendant can be a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild who has French nationality to obtain citizenship through origin in France;
- Other conditions: the applicant should not have a criminal conviction;
- Interview: as part of the application process, the individual is scheduled to have an interview to determine his or her eligibility.
What are the requirements for French citizenship by birth?
French nationality can be attributed by birth, under the following conditions:
- The child is born in France to one or both French parents;
- The child is born in France to stateless parents, or to foreign parents who have not passed their nationality to their child;
- The child was born in France before 1 January 1994, to a parent who was born in a former French overseas territory, prior to independence;
- The child was born in France after 1 January 1963 to a parent born in Algeria before 3 July 1962.
If you have questions about French citizenship by birth, or citizenship by descent, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
How to prove ancestry legally in France
Legal proof of ancestry is crucial for a successful application and obtaining citizenship in France. This includes:
- civil registration documents from French municipalities or embassies;
- continuous documentation that links the applicant to the French ancestor without gaps;
- where documentation is missing, sworn affidavits or legal declarations may be considered;
- DNA tests are not commonly accepted as primary evidence, but may be used in specific contested cases.
Processing time and fees for citizenship in France
Applicants should be aware of the time and cost involved in order to apply for citizenship through heritage in France:
- Processing time ranges from 12 to 24 months depending on the complexity of the case and backlog;
- Administrative fees vary by consulate and may include additional fees for notarization, translation, and legal support;
- Expedited processing is generally not available, but thorough preparation can minimize delays.
If you already have residency in France and would like to apply for French citizenship, you can find assistance in this process from our specialized immigration lawyers.
Immigration data in France
Recent data from the French Ministry of the Interior highlights a surge in migration level, with France seeing unprecedented migration levels in 2024:
- Visas granted: 2,858,083 visas issued in 2024, a 16.8% increase from 2023;
- First-residence permits: 336,700 permits issued, a 1.8% increase over 2023, following a 4% rise the previous year;
- Family reunification: accounted for 90,600 residence permits issued.
If you are interested in other topics, such as how to remain in France as a digital nomad, do not hesitate to reach out to our local team of immigration experts.
Contact our immigration lawyers in France if you have a parent or grandparent who is or was a French national and you wish to acquire citizenship by descent in France. We will help you find out if you are eligible and assist you with the application.
