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. 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.
| 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. |
Table of Contents
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:
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.
When applying for French citizenship through ancestry, the applicant must prepare a complete file with the following documents:
If you are planning to obtain citizenship in France through heritage, our French immigration lawyers can offer relevant support in this matter.
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:
French nationality can be attributed by birth, under the following conditions:
If you have questions about French citizenship by birth, or citizenship by descent, do not hesitate to reach out to us. You can also explore this video presentation made by our specialists on this topic:
Legal proof of ancestry is crucial for a successful application and obtaining citizenship in France. This includes:
Applicants should be aware of the time and cost involved in order to apply for citizenship through heritage in France:
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.
Recent data from the French Ministry of the Interior highlights a surge in migration level, with France seeing unprecedented migration levels in 2024:
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.