Becoming French
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Many people who have lived in France for some time are at the point of wanting to become French - to apply for French citizenship. This page is a very basic guide to the process for those thinking about it, but for the detail - and before applying - it's vital to consult the French government website (to which links are given here) and the website of your regional platform. For this reason we have deliberately not included translations or detailed instructions here. |
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Before you apply, it's vital to read both the official government pages and the pages relating directly to your regional platform (see below), as they are often slightly different.
The portal page for the citizenship pages of the government website is here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N111. You'll find information about your regional platform on your préfecture's website.
The portal page for the citizenship pages of the government website is here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N111. You'll find information about your regional platform on your préfecture's website.
Who can apply?
In order to apply for citizenship you need to have lived permanently and continuously in France for 5 years and fulfill certain conditions. There are two ways to apply for citizenship - by decree, or by declaration.
Note that you don't apply for dual nationality - you apply for French nationality and automatically keep your UK nationality as well. As a dual national, you will always be treated as French while you're on French territory so you can't invoke your second nationality even if it would be more beneficial to you for a specific purpose!
The official portal page on nationality is here: www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N111. This is your starting point. There are specific pages for each category which you can either reach from the portal page or by following the links in the boxes below.
Note that you don't apply for dual nationality - you apply for French nationality and automatically keep your UK nationality as well. As a dual national, you will always be treated as French while you're on French territory so you can't invoke your second nationality even if it would be more beneficial to you for a specific purpose!
The official portal page on nationality is here: www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N111. This is your starting point. There are specific pages for each category which you can either reach from the portal page or by following the links in the boxes below.
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APPLYING BY DECLARATION
Applying by declaration means that you're claiming something to which you're legally entitled, providing you meet the conditions. There are 3 routes: 1. Through marriage to a French spouse for at least 4 years; 2. If you're the parent or grandparent of French children, are over 65, and have lived in France for at least 25 years; 3. If you've lived in France since the age of 6, you've reached the age of majority and have a brother or sister who was (a) born in France of non-French parents, and (b) has acquired French nationality. You must speak French to B1 level, and will be expected to demonstrate a shared life with your spouse. |
APPLYING BY DECREE
Applying by decree means that you ask to become French. If that's okay. Please? This is referred to on official sites as naturalisation. It's not an automatic right - it's described as an 'honour' - and it's entirely possible for citizenship to be refused even if the conditions are met. To apply, you must have lived in France for at least 5 years. If you're a third country national you must hold a residence card. You must have 'sufficient and stable resources', show your integration into the French way of life (you'll be tested on this), and speak French to B1 level. |
Where to apply?
All applications have to be submitted to your regional platform - located in a préfecture but possibly not in yours! You should be able to find out which platform your préfecture is associated with from its website, or you can check it out here (open the drop down box for Depôt de la demande): https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F15832. Since the change in regions, most regions now have more than one regional platform (confusing? You bet!).
Each regional platform has a website. Usually, there are two sections - one for those living in the department where the platform is situated, and another for those living in 'linked' departments.
Each regional platform has a website. Usually, there are two sections - one for those living in the department where the platform is situated, and another for those living in 'linked' departments.
How to apply?
Read the appropriate section of your regional platform's website very carefully, as different platforms have different procedures. Most platforms ask you to submit your dossier and then wait for an appointment; in at least one (Toulouse) you have to make an appointment online to submit your dossier and have your interview, and in others applications are done through an agency. So don't rely on what someone else has told you unless they live in your department and have gone through the process very recently.
Most of the websites are incredibly informative; all will tell you as a basic minimum how the application procedure pans out, many will tell you much more. Some have interactive wizards that help you compile your dossier, depending on your precise situation.
The most important thing will be your dossier, and it's this that will occupy your mind (and your wallet) for several weeks or even months before applying. See below for more about this.
Most of the websites are incredibly informative; all will tell you as a basic minimum how the application procedure pans out, many will tell you much more. Some have interactive wizards that help you compile your dossier, depending on your precise situation.
The most important thing will be your dossier, and it's this that will occupy your mind (and your wallet) for several weeks or even months before applying. See below for more about this.
THE PROCESS
Your dossier
You'll need to put together a dossier with all your information, preferably in the order that each document is referred to on the official documentation. Don't underestimate either the time, or the cost, involved in doing this!
Link to download the application form and the guidance notes where you'll find detailed information about every piece of paper needed to make up your dossier: https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/Info-ressources/Demarches/Formulaires-Cerfa/L-acquisition-de-la-nationalite-francaise .
This information will also be found on your regional platform's website. Some platforms also have a very useful interactive 'aide' to putting together your dossier according to your circumstances.
This is an excellent link to follow and recommended for anyone trying to put together their dossier - it's an online 'wizard' that takes you through exactly what you need in your own particular situation: http://accueil-etrangers.gouv.fr/modeles/articles-lies/article/outil-d-aide-a-la-constitution-des-dossiers-de-naturalisation .
Official documents from the UK shouldn't need to be legalised or have an apostille as they have a dispensation (though they will need to be translated by a traducteur assermenté - court approved translator). There has been some confusion around this in some quarters - this is a link to the current document about this produced by the Midi-Pyrénées regional platform, though the same applies nationally: http://www.haute-garonne.gouv.fr/content/download/5166/34442/file/Tableau+r%C3%A9capitulatif+de+l%C3%A9galisation.pdf
Link to download the application form and the guidance notes where you'll find detailed information about every piece of paper needed to make up your dossier: https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/Info-ressources/Demarches/Formulaires-Cerfa/L-acquisition-de-la-nationalite-francaise .
This information will also be found on your regional platform's website. Some platforms also have a very useful interactive 'aide' to putting together your dossier according to your circumstances.
This is an excellent link to follow and recommended for anyone trying to put together their dossier - it's an online 'wizard' that takes you through exactly what you need in your own particular situation: http://accueil-etrangers.gouv.fr/modeles/articles-lies/article/outil-d-aide-a-la-constitution-des-dossiers-de-naturalisation .
Official documents from the UK shouldn't need to be legalised or have an apostille as they have a dispensation (though they will need to be translated by a traducteur assermenté - court approved translator). There has been some confusion around this in some quarters - this is a link to the current document about this produced by the Midi-Pyrénées regional platform, though the same applies nationally: http://www.haute-garonne.gouv.fr/content/download/5166/34442/file/Tableau+r%C3%A9capitulatif+de+l%C3%A9galisation.pdf
Your language skills
To successfully apply for French citizenship you're expected to demonstrate proficiency in French at a minimum of Level B1 (intermediate). This is the common level across Europe, and is roughly equivalent to GCSE grade A or A*.
If you're under 60 years old:
You'll need to provide proof of your spoken (and from 11 August 2020, written) language level in the form of a recognised diploma from a course of studies at a Francophone educational institute, a DELF diploma or recognised test. If you don't have a diploma, it's faster and cheaper to take the recognised 'test de connaissance du français' specifically designed for French nationality (TCF-ANF). This is valid for 2 years and costs around 110€ depending on your centre.
If you're over 60 years old:
Currently you don't need to take a test or bring other proof of your language level BUT your understanding and ability to speak French will be tested during your interview - which may last up to 90 minutes - and will be expected to be at B1 level.
However, this is changing from 11 August 2020 - if you apply after this date you'll have to provide proof of your spoken and your written language level at B1 level, as described in the previous paragraph.
If you're under 60 years old:
You'll need to provide proof of your spoken (and from 11 August 2020, written) language level in the form of a recognised diploma from a course of studies at a Francophone educational institute, a DELF diploma or recognised test. If you don't have a diploma, it's faster and cheaper to take the recognised 'test de connaissance du français' specifically designed for French nationality (TCF-ANF). This is valid for 2 years and costs around 110€ depending on your centre.
- Basic details here in English: http://www.ciep.fr/en/tcf-anf, and full details here, also in English: http://www.ciep.fr/en/tcf-anf/faq.
- Find out where you can be tested here: http://www.ciep.fr/en/tcf-tout-public/approved-tcf-test-centres.
- Examples of the test: http://tcf.didierfle.com/exercices/CO0301-list1.html (Flash needed) and http://apprendre.tv5monde.com/fr/apprendre-francais/accueil-tcf
If you're over 60 years old:
Currently you don't need to take a test or bring other proof of your language level BUT your understanding and ability to speak French will be tested during your interview - which may last up to 90 minutes - and will be expected to be at B1 level.
However, this is changing from 11 August 2020 - if you apply after this date you'll have to provide proof of your spoken and your written language level at B1 level, as described in the previous paragraph.
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WHAT IS B1 LEVEL?
B1 is the third level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It's considered to be roughly GCSE A/A* level, and that required at the age of 16 for French students. This is what the CEFR says:
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What happens then?
You'll be required to attend an 'assimilation interview' by appointment at your regional platform, where you'll be asked about your personal (and possibly your financial) situation, why you want to become French, how often you have returned to the UK, how you have integrated into French society since you've been here, and about your knowledge of French culture, history and citizenship rights and responsibilities. The interview will be conducted in French and you can't take an interpreter (sounds obvious, I know, but the question has been asked).
You may, at some point, be visited by your local gendarmes, either by appointment or not.
Once your interviews are over, then you wait ... the waiting stage can take up to 18 months, or even longer. At some point you will (hopefully) receive a letter asking you to sign the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities, in which you are effectively agreeing to become a French citizen; after that you'll receive confirmation of your citizenship. Later on you'll be invited to a ceremony along with other local new citizens.
You may, at some point, be visited by your local gendarmes, either by appointment or not.
Once your interviews are over, then you wait ... the waiting stage can take up to 18 months, or even longer. At some point you will (hopefully) receive a letter asking you to sign the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities, in which you are effectively agreeing to become a French citizen; after that you'll receive confirmation of your citizenship. Later on you'll be invited to a ceremony along with other local new citizens.
What's it like?
Everyone's experience is different. But we include one first hand account here, as it gives a really good feel of what the interview process is like.
It lasted well over an hour but the lady was nice if slightly stern at points but rightly so as it was really when she was making it clear that being granted French Nationality is not a right, but a gift bestowed upon the worth, really. We spent some time going through my paperwork and the extra stuff I had been asked to bring at the last minute (same papers just more up to date versions on the whole). Then we had a long chat all about my life but focusing on everything that had happened during my 10 years in France - work, family, income, clubs or associations I'm part of, things I like about France, food, interests, things we do together as a family etc, then on to my reasons for wanting French nationality. The final section was a good 25 questions about French history, society and culture so yes you do need to know quite in depth the Livret du Citoyen I'm afraid, including some of the more obvious dates ie French Revolution, World Wars, and be able to name the current President and Prime Minister, name your favourite French actor, writer etc. I was also asked the French Motto which was fine but then she asked me to "define what each word means to me"! Oh yes. :S And then she said if I was going to add a fourth word to the motto what would it be and why! While she was very pleasant and did end up saying she wished every applicant was like me (halo glowing lol) - I was rather glad once it was over I must say.
For those who are Facebook users, there are both Anglophone and Francophone groups dedicated to the sharing of experiences of applying for citizenship - well worth seeking out for information and moral support during the process.
Preparing for your citizenship application
Apart from making sure your language is up to scratch and putting your dossier together, the most important thing you can do is to make sure that you know everything contained in the Livret du Citoyen. You can view a copy of it here (Flash needed): http://livretcitoyen.coutscada.fr/index.htm or download a copy here.
If you don't do so already, you should also start to read French newspapers, listen to French radio (Inter is a good starting point), read French novels and watch French TV. You'll be expected to know what's going on in French current affairs and who the main players in French politics are (names of ministers etc). You may be asked the names of French authors or musicians too.
You'll almost certainly be asked about associations you belong to, as la vie associative is a very important aspect of life here in France. If you're not an 'associative' type you might think about joining a nationwide association that covers an area you're interested in (for example, the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) so at least you can talk about that.
If you want to take your knowledge base further, you could follow the Education Civique lessons that all French school students follow up at primaire and collège levels. This site will give you a starting point: http://www.maxicours.com/se/fiche/civ/ There are plenty of text books available on amazon.fr too.
If you don't do so already, you should also start to read French newspapers, listen to French radio (Inter is a good starting point), read French novels and watch French TV. You'll be expected to know what's going on in French current affairs and who the main players in French politics are (names of ministers etc). You may be asked the names of French authors or musicians too.
You'll almost certainly be asked about associations you belong to, as la vie associative is a very important aspect of life here in France. If you're not an 'associative' type you might think about joining a nationwide association that covers an area you're interested in (for example, the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) so at least you can talk about that.
If you want to take your knowledge base further, you could follow the Education Civique lessons that all French school students follow up at primaire and collège levels. This site will give you a starting point: http://www.maxicours.com/se/fiche/civ/ There are plenty of text books available on amazon.fr too.