Your path to French citizenship

Understand the decree route, prepare the right documents and keep track of your next step.

LIFE IN FRANCE / NATIONALITY

Choose the right route

This checklist covers naturalisation by decree. Marriage, parentage and birth-based routes have different rules; compare them on the official site before starting.

Check residence and personal conditions

The usual residence requirement is five years, with specific exceptions. Also check lawful stay, integration, resources and your centre of family and professional interests. Studying in France does not automatically confer eligibility.

Prepare evidence of French at B2

Since January 2026, B2 in speaking and writing is required. Use an accepted diploma or qualifying TEF/TCF certificate less than two years old. Verify any exemption or accommodation officially.

Prepare the civic examination

For decree applications: 40 questions, at least 32 correct, up to 45 minutes. Check approved centres, current programme and any applicable accommodation or exemption.

Identity and lawful stay

Prepare valid identity evidence and the residence document required for your situation. Check current fees and fiscal-stamp instructions in the official application.

Civil status and nationality

Prepare the birth record with parentage and the supporting civil-status or nationality documents requested for your situation.

Family documents, if relevant

Add marriage, divorce, partner and children’s records where requested. Select “Not applicable” only after checking the personalised list.

Address and residence history

Collect current housing evidence and the residence history requested in the official file. The competent platform is determined by your domicile.

Work, studies and resources

Prepare evidence for your actual situation: employment, self-employment, studies or other resources. The personalised simulator sets the relevant documents and periods.

Tax evidence

Collect the tax notices and tax-status documents required for the specified years; check consistency with your declared circumstances.

Foreign criminal record, if required

Check whether a foreign criminal-record certificate is required, which countries and periods it covers, and any applicable exemption.

Translations and authentication, if required

Check approved French translations and, depending on the country and document, apostille or legalisation. Keep originals for the interview.

Submit to the competent authority

Usually file through ANEF. Some overseas territories use a paper process; applicants abroad use the consulate. Review the official procedure for your domicile before submitting.

Keep the complete-file récépissé

A filing acknowledgement is not necessarily the récépissé issued after all required documents have been supplied. Save that receipt and its date.

Monitor requests and report changes

Read official messages, supply additional documents within the stated deadlines, and report relevant changes. This checklist does not connect to ANEF.

Attend the assimilation interview

Prepare using the official resources, attend the appointment, and bring the requested originals. This is separate from the civic examination.

Read the official decision

Record this step when you have read the actual decision, whether approval, adjournment or refusal. A completed checklist does not mean citizenship was granted.

Follow the decision instructions

If granted, check the published decree and civil-status details before requesting identity documents. Otherwise consult the decision’s instructions and deadlines for any next steps.