Acquiring French citizenship by marriage is possible for the foreign spouse of a French national, provided that the foreign individual complies with certain requirements. These are related to: the duration of the marriage, his or her status in the country, proof of language knowledge and integration. Those who are interested in obtaining citizenship through marriage with a French national can apply by complying with the current rules of this process which are mainly focused on the validity of the marriage and its length at the time of the application. Our specialized immigration law firm in France can offer professional support in this matter for application procedures to obtain French citizenship by marriage.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship acquisition eligibility | Foreign spouse of a French citizen can apply. |
| Marriage duration requirement | 4 years (5 if not living together in France) |
| Legal age for marriage | Standard French marriage age applies – 18 years old |
| Language proficiency | B1 level French required |
| Residency requirement | Must live in France or have marriage registered in France. |
| Application submission | At prefecture, if located in France, or French consulate – if the applicant is abroad. |
| Required documents | – marriage certificate, – spouse’s French ID, – proof of cohabitation, – French language certificate, – birth certificates, – passport, – criminal record, – residence permit |
| French citizenship by marriage – processing time | 6 –12 months |
| Interview and examination | Possible verification of marriage and language, may also include interview. |
| Approval by the local authorities (Yes/No) | Yes, granted by French authorities after review. |
| Children’s citizenship | Not automatic, as separate procedures apply. |
| Taxation implications | Citizenship alone has no special tax impact. |
| Healthcare and social benefits | Eligible once legally residing in France |
| Divorce and citizenship | Citizenship generally retained and short-term divorces may be examined. |
| Legal assistance | Our French lawyers can offer support which is recommended due to document and verification complexity. |
Table of Contents
How does one acquire French citizenship by marriage?
A foreign national or a stateless individual may acquire French citizenship by marriage when he or she has been legally married to a French national for a minimum period. It is common for such an individual to apply for French nationality directly, as it is possible under a valid marriage.
Some of the conditions are listed below by our immigration lawyers in France:
- Marriage duration: in order to acquire French citizenship by marriage, the foreign national who applies mush have been married to a French national for minimum 4 years;
- Citizenship status: when the French citizen is also a foreign national who has already obtained this status, the foreign spouse may apply only if the French spouse has retained his or her citizenship for the aforementioned minimum period;
- Consortium: this is also referred to as cohabitation – the spouses must have maintained both a physical and an emotional matrimonial relationship that had not ceased during the required period;
- Proof of language knowledge: the foreign spouse who applies for citizenshipin France must be able to prove that he or she has adequate knowledge of the French language;
- Provide documents: the marriage certificate is required, among others, and the couple must sign the needed papers together.
As far as proof of French language knowledge is concerned, this can be made either through a French language test or through a diploma attesting a certain language level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. French language tests, such as the DELF, are accepted. You can reach out to our French lawyers for more information.
Documents needed to apply for French citizenship by marriage
When applying for French citizenship by marriage, among the most important steps in the application process is to have a well-prepared and thoroughly checked documentation. The French administration checks the documentation very carefully to make sure that the requirements prescribed by the immigration law, such as the production of a true marriage relationship, legal residence, and integration in French society, are fulfilled. Regardless of whether you are planning to move to France or you are already a French resident, the right set of documents can be the first step towards a fast processing and successful obtaining of French citizenship. Our specialized immigration lawyers in France can handle the preparation of documents and make the process of citizenship application easier. Essential supporting documents for French citizenship by marriage application include:
- A completed declaration form Centre d’Enregistrement et de Révision des Formulaires Administratifs (CERFA), signed by both spouses;
- Official marriage certificate – If the marriage took place abroad, the certificate must be transcribed into the French civil status register;
- A valid passport or identity card for both spouses;
- Proof of the French spouse’s nationality, such as a French passport, national identity card, or Certificat de Nationalité Française;
- Evidence of continuous residence and cohabitation, including utility bills, lease or property agreements, joint tax, etc.;
What are the main conditions for those applying for French citizenship by marriage?
In some instances, it is essential to note that the minimum required period for cohabitation is longer. For example, when either of the parties cannot prove that they have lived in France continuously for at least 3 years from the date of the marriage, then the required time of consortium is 5 years instead of 4.
The same 5 years period applies when the couple cannot provide proof for the fact that the French spouse was registered on the list of French nationals living outside of the country throughout the duration of the consortium.
It is also useful to note that a marriage registered abroad needs to be recorded in the French civil status register.
A foreign national married to a French citizen can obtain residency in France in order to be able to join his or her spouse. Conditions apply in terms of the recognition of the marriage: it needs to be registered with a French civil registrar or to have been transcribed on the French civil registry. Our team of immigration attorneys in France can give you more details about these requirements.
If you wish to move to France for a purpose other than reuniting with your spouse, our team can answer questions about the residence permit for work or for business purposes. You can reach out to us if you have questions about the required documents for each permit type, as well as the general requirements that apply to all those who request a residence permit.
How can we help you?
Our immigration attorneys in France can help you prepare the needed documents when applying for French citizenship by marriage. Receiving specialized aid is helpful as the authorities, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères), require a specific set of documents and those that are in foreign languages need to be prepared before submission (i.e. to be translated into French by a sworn translator and/ or notarized or apostilled in some cases).
Our team of French immigration lawyers can help simplify the process by assisting you throughout the application procedure. We are able to provide advice according to your particular situation and the nationality of the spouse applying for French citizenship.
Marriage citizenship vs. naturalization in France
French citizenship by marriage is the special legal route that is allowed for a foreigner who marries a French citizen. The core of this procedure is not the applicant’s residence or professional situation, but rather, very particularly, the validity of the marriage, the length of time required since the union began, and the existence of an ongoing community of life between spouses. While language skills and integration are assessed, the application is basically supported by the marital bond and compliance with the required family-based methods.
On the other hand, citizenship by naturalization in France does not depend upon marriage. It is granted depending on one’s personal integration into the French society. Normally, this requires at least five years of lawful residence in France, plus evidence of economic stability, professional activity or resources, and a strong attachment to French values. Normally, this path is taken by applicants who are not married to a French national or who do not meet the specific conditions for French citizenship by marriage. Our immigration lawyers in France can help applicants assess whether marriage-based citizenship or naturalization best suits their case for citizenship in France.
Data on marriages in France
According to official data from the French Institute of Statistics, the total number of marriages in 2025 was 251,000. Other figures indicate the following:
- there were 244,000 marriages between heterosexual couples in 2025 and 7,000 marriages between same-sex couples;
- this represents a 1.4% increase of total marriages compared to 2024 and a 2.3% raise compared to 2023.
Furthermore, we can also help you if you want to immigrate to France from the USA. Besides that, obtaining citizenship in France is also possible through naturalization, not only marriage. If you do not qualify for the latter, our team can guide you through the application process for citizenship by naturalization. Your length of lawful stay in the country will need to be at least five years in this case and we can also give you details about the other conditions that apply to all foreign nationals who wish to obtain this status.
French citizenship by marriage can be a suitable option for foreign nationals who are in a relationship with a French citizen and are willing to take this step. However, for those who are not looking for marriage as a means to acquire citizenship, our French immigration lawyers can present alternative routes for lawfully living in the country for long-term purposes. We offer immigration services also for persons who want to immigrate to France from the UK.
Contact us for more information as well as tailored services when applying for French citizenship by marriage.
