Applying for French citizenship through descent

Last updated: September 2023

The criteria

You may be entitled to French nationality if:

• You were born abroad and one or both of your parents is/was French at the time of your birth

• You were born in France and at least one of your parents is/was French at the time of your birth

• You were born in France of unknown or stateless parents

• You have been naturalised

  
  

The application for French citizenship through descent

To apply for french citizenship through descent, you'll need to fill in the transcription application form for people over 18. You'll also need to send evidence of your identity, residence and entitlement to French citizenship. Please note all documents must be originals, and all paperwork issued in English much be attached to a French translation carried out by a certified French translator. The list of documents to send with your application currently includes:

• Your transcription application form

• Your original british birth certificate (certified copy of an entry of birth)

If your parents were married when you were born:

• French marriage certificate (issued within the last 3 months) or marriage certificate issued in another country (original + apostille + certified translation)

• OR livret de famille if you have one.

If your parents weren't married when you were born:

• Both parents' original/recently issued birth certificates (+ apostille and certified translation if not in French)

You will then need to prove that you have a claim to French citizenship, by providing:

• Your French parent(s)'s birth certificate (issued within the last 3 months - contact their birth town's mairie)

• Copy of your french parent(s)' french passport

• Copy of your non french passport

This is generally (I can't make any promises!) enough for a first "attempt" if your situation is relatively straight forward (French parent still alive but you just "missed" the deadline, ie your 18th birthday, for exemple).

The French Nationaly Certificate (Certificat de Nationalité Française, CNF)

If your situation is a little more complex, it is fairly likely that you will be asked to complete a CNF (Certificat de Nationalité Française) application. At this point, if you don't read french relatively fluently, I'd suggest getting some help. You will probably need to provide:

• The CNF application form (CERFA 16237).

• A piece of ID (French of foreign passport, French ID card)

• A recent, color ID photo

• A recent (less than 3 months) proof of address (bill, tax return, etc...). Lodgers may provide a letter from their landlord along with their proof of ID and proof of residence

  
  

For a deceased person (upon request from a notary's office in charge of succession procedures only), you'll also need to include:

• Their death certificate

• Copy of the letter from the organisation requesting the CNF

  
  

For minors or vulnerable adult under a protection decision, or in the case of applications on behalf of a deceased person, the adult applicant applying on their behalf will also need to provide:

• A piece of ID (passport, french ID card)

• A recent, color ID photo

• A proof of address

• A proof of parental authority (marriage certificate, full birth certificate, court's decision) or proof of relation with the deceased person

  
  

Finally, you'll need to prove how you are entitled to french citizenship, through one or several of the following documents:

• French parent's birth certificate and/or marriage certificate if applicable. This is required for all parents/grand-parents/etc. up to the French relative which you feel supports your application for French nationality.

• if applicable, court decision or decree granting that relative french citizenship

The applications for CNF are handled by the Tribunal de Paris, 29-45 avenue de la Porte de Clichy, 75869 Paris Cedex 17, France. They may contact you by email to request further documents to support your application.