French naturalization by decree

Age

You must be 18 years of age to be naturalized French. However, you can apply from the age of 17.

Naturalization may be granted to a minor child who has remained a foreigner even though one of his parents has become a Frenchman. However, the child must have resided in France with this parent for 5 years before the application for naturalization was submitted.

Place of residence

You can be naturalized by decree provided you complete one of the following conditions :

• You are engaged in a public or private professional activity on behalf of the French State or an organization whose activity is of particular interest to the French economy or culture
• You live in Monaco
• You do your national service or are engaged in regular training of the French army
• You're a national service volunteer

If you meet any of these conditions, it implies that your spouse and minor children who live with you also meet them.

Regularity of the stay

You must have a valid residence permit at the time of filing your application. However, you don't need it if you are European (EEA) or Swiss.

You must not have been the subject of a deportation order or a prohibition of french territory still in force.

Assimilation to the French community

You must justify your assimilation to the French community.

Your assimilation to the French community will be verified by:

• success in civic examination
• and a prefectural interview.

Knowledge of the French language

You have to prove a sufficient knowledge of the french language.

Professional integration

Professional integration is an essential condition for assimilation and integration in France.

Professional integration means that you must have stable and sufficient income to support you and your family tax home.

Morality and absence of criminal convictions

You must be good lives and morals. This means that you must not have committed acts contrary to public order.

Documents to be provided

Prepare the following documents to build your file (attention, if the 2 members of a couple want to apply for naturalization, they must constitute 2 files):

• Form cerfa no. 12753 in 2 copies, completed, dated and signed. Consult the information leaflet attached to the form before filling it out.
• Tax stamp from €55 (except in case of request made abroad because payment is made on site at the consulate)
• Double-sided copy of your valid residence permit, unless you are a Swiss national or a citizen of Switzerland. European State (EU/EEA)
• 2 photo ID format 35 x 45 mm, bare head. Indicate your surname, first name and date of birth on the back
• Official identity document (passport or residence permit)
• Proofs of your civil status and nationality
• Proofs of your domicile
• Proof of your resources and taxes
• Diploma or certificate justifying your level of knowledge of the French language
• Certificate of successful completion of the civic examination
• Supporting documents if you live as a couple
• Supporting documents if you have already been married (divorce or widowhood)
• Supporting documents if you have minor children
• If you are veteran or legionnaire, status of services, decorations and quotes obtained
• If you have been living in France for less than 10 years, original extract of criminal record, foreigner or equivalent document. It must be issued by a competent authority of the country or countries in which you have lived, or failing that, the country of your nationality. This document is not required, concerning your country of origin, if you are a refugee or stateless person protected byOfpra: titleContent.
• If you are a national of a non-EU country European (EU) and that you went into the Schengen area from a State that is not part of this space for a period of less than 3 months during the 5 years preceding the filing of your application, provide your passport or any equivalent document (for example a Schengen visa), and those of your minor children who could become French at their majority.

If you wish, you can complete your request with information that seems to you to be of particular interest. Enter this information on free paper. For example, your participation in community life in France.

Depending on your situation, other documents may be requested.

One receipt you are issued when you have provided all the requested documents.

Francization of surname and/or first name

During your request, you can ask the francization of your surname and/or first name(s), and the francization of your children's first names.

You can also ask for a French first name, if you or your children do not have one.

Instructions on the documents to be provided

Deed of civil status

One deed of civil status must be provided in full and in original in the language of the country of origin.

A French civil status document must be issued within 3 months.

A copy of a foreigner civil status document must be accompanied, if necessary, by a copy of the decision in execution of which it has been drawn up, rectified or amended.

Copy or original of a document

You can provide copies of the requested documents with the exception of civil status documents.

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

A copy of a foreigner act must 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 French translation of each document written in a foreign language. You must provide the original translation. The translation must be done by a certified translator or authorized to intervene with the judicial or administrative authorities of another european countries. If you are abroad, contact the French Embassy or Consulate for a list of accredited translators.

The translation of a multilingual extract of a birth certificate or marriage certificate in which one of the languages is french is not necessary for a person of full age.

In addition, to avoid having to translate certain documents issued by a the European Union, one multilingual form can be joined. Consult the e-justice site for further information.

Legalization or Apostille

Certain documents issued abroad must be legalized or apostillate to be accepted in France. Ask the French embassy or consulate in the country concerned for legalization, and the embassy or consulate of the country concerned for the apostille.

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