French citizenship by marriage

Obtaining French Citizenship Through Marriage

Are you married to a French citizen and would like to become a French citizen through marriage?

Obtaining your French passport allows you to have the same nationality as your spouse and children. You will be able to travel, work, and settle permanently in France, as well as in any country of the European Union (EU). 

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Requirements for Obtaining French Citizenship Through Marriage

You must have been married to a French citizen for at least four years.

Please note: You must wait five years after marriage if you are in either of the following two situations:

  • you have not lived in France for three consecutive years since your marriage;
  • or if you are unable to provide proof that your French spouse was registered in the registry of French citizens living abroad during the time you lived together abroad. I can help you obtain this registration if necessary.

You must have lived together continuously since your marriage; in other words, you must be able to provide proof of a shared address dating back to that date.

If that is not the case (particularly for professional reasons), I recommend that you consult an attorney before filing your case.

If you were married in France, you naturally have a French marriage certificate issued by the town hall.

However, if you were married outside of France, you must request that your marriage certificate be registered in France through a process called “transcription.”

Obtaining this French marriage certificate is required to apply for French citizenship through marriage. This process takes, on average, between one and three months, depending on the consulate. I can assist you with this process if needed.

As of January 2026, applicants must demonstrate a B2 level of French (advanced level) in both written and oral proficiency.

The French spouse must have retained French citizenship at the time of the marriage and throughout the marriage.

You must have a clean criminal record and live in accordance with the values of the French Republic.

If you have lived outside of France during the past ten years, you must also provide a clean criminal record for each country where you have resided for more than six months. I work with partners around the world to help you obtain these documents.

 

To verify that you meet these requirements, I’d like to offer you a free 15-minute consultation so we can determine together whether it’s best to submit your application now or whether it would be better to wait in order to maximize your chances of success.

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French citizenship by descent without residence in France
French passport and official documents

Check whether your French spouse must first obtain a Certificate of French Nationality (CNF)

The fact that your spouse, who is a French national, holds a valid French passport is not always sufficient proof of his or her French nationality.

To obtain French citizenship through marriage, your spouse must have been born in France to at least one parent who was also born in France, or must have obtained French citizenship through a naturalization decree. Otherwise, your spouse will need to provide a “certificate of French citizenship” (CNF) to prove their French citizenship.

If your French spouse was born in France to two parents who were themselves born in France, a French passport is generally sufficient proof of their nationality.

It is therefore essential to verify that your spouse does not need to obtain a Certificate of French Nationality (CNF) before you file your application for French citizenship by marriage.

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If your spouse does not meet these requirements, the French authorities will require him or her to provide a certificate of French nationality (CNF) before granting you French nationality by marriage. The French authorities will not grant you French nationality by marriage until your spouse has obtained this document.

It takes an average of one to two years to obtain this CNF. For more information, please visit the “French Nationality by Descent” page on my website. I can file this application on your behalf if needed.

It is therefore important to carefully review your situation beforehand so that you do not file an application for citizenship by marriage unnecessarily. 

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Step-by-Step Procedure

French citizenship by descent without residence in France

You will need to gather a number of documents; the specific list depends on your personal situation. Generally speaking, you will always need to provide civil status documents, proof of cohabitation, a language certificate, and a criminal record check.

French documents must be less than three months old. Foreign documents must, in some cases, be apostilled or legalized, and translated by a certified translator registered with a court of appeals in France.

This step determines how the rest of the process will proceed: an incomplete application delays the review by several months.

The declaration is filed:

  • at the consulate in their place of residence, for couples living abroad;
  • at the prefecture of their place of residence, for couples living in France.

The application must be submitted online, in person, or by mail, depending on where it is filed.

You and your French spouse will undergo an individual interview to assess your knowledge of the French language and the values of the Republic, as well as the authenticity of your relationship.

Once the interview is completed, the processing time averages between six months and one year.

A ceremony to welcome new French citizens is then held.

Duration of the proceedings

This process takes an average of one to two years, depending on where the application is filed.

It is generally faster to file an application from outside France. However, for the purposes of processing the application, it is preferable to be residing in France at the time of filing.

It is important to determine, before submitting any application, whether you meet the eligibility requirements, so as not to waste time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This strategy is risky. Your situation is assessed as of the date you submit your application, even if the processing takes a long time afterward. Consequently, if you do not meet one of the required conditions, your application may be denied, and you will have to start the entire process over from the beginning.

No, it's not required.

Any breakdown of the marital relationship prior to the signing of the decree or the registration of the declaration may prevent your application from being approved. I recommend that you consult an attorney to assess your situation before filing your application.

If you were married outside of France, obtaining your French marriage certificate is a mandatory prerequisite for filing your application for French citizenship by marriage. I can assist you with this process if needed.

No, only certain tests are accepted. I recommend that you take one of the following tests:

  • the Diploma in French Language Studies (DELF);
  • the Test of French Language Proficiency (TCF);
  • the French Proficiency Test (TEF).

This list depends on your personal circumstances. It is not possible to provide you with a general list. The only way to determine which documents are required is to review your situation in advance.

Since most documents have an expiration date, I recommend that you wait for your final test results before you start gathering them, so that they don't expire before you submit your application.

I work with partners abroad to help you obtain all the required documents.

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French Citizenship Documentation File

The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

  1. Determine the best strategy for your personal situation ahead of time.
  2. Avoid any issues that could lead to your application being rejected.
  3. Make sure you have all the necessary documents and avoid having your application rejected due to an incomplete application.
  4. Include a letter from an attorney in your application demonstrating that you meet the requirements under French law, in order to maximize your chances of success.
  5. To be represented directly by an attorney throughout the proceedings.
  6. Get quick answers to all your questions throughout the process.

My Services

I would be delighted to assist you in filing your application for French citizenship through marriage.

I am offering you a fixed price, determined in advance, to handle the entire process. This flat-rate fee includes:

  • We will provide a link to a platform where you can download all the required documents as soon as we receive your payment;
  • Reviewing your documents and preparing a list of additional documents to strengthen your application based on your specific circumstances;
  • a preliminary review of whether your spouse needs to obtain a certificate of French citizenship;
  • gathering all the required French documents for your application;
  • Putting you in touch with my partners to obtain the foreign documents required in your case;
  • drafting a cover letter for your application, based on the laws applicable to your situation;
  • preparing all the necessary forms;
  • submitting your application to the appropriate authorities;
  • a response to any request for additional documents from the French authorities;
  • We'll follow up on your case until the final outcome.
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