20/05/2025
Steps to Obtain French Citizenship Through Marriage to a French Citizen
It's done by making a "declaration of French nationality by marriage".
It’s a long process but here is some information about requirements:
You can apply for French nationality through marriage, although it is a lengthy process. Here are some key requirements:
1. French Nationality of Your Spouse Your spouse must be a French national on the day of your marriage and must have retained French nationality since then.
2. Community of Life You must maintain a continuous community of life with your spouse, both materially and emotionally, since your marriage. The duration required varies based on your situation:
• You have been married for at least four years and have resided in France for a minimum of three uninterrupted years since your marriage, or
• You have been married for at least four years and lived outside France, with your French spouse registered on the consular registers as a French citizen living abroad, or
• You have been married for at least five years if neither of the above residency conditions is met.
Important Note:
• If your marriage took place in France, the five-year period starts from your wedding date.
• If married abroad, the marriage must have been transcribed to the French civil registration system, and the five-year period starts from the registration date.
Example: Peter married Julie on July 15, 2000, and they transcribed their wedding on July 15, 2005. Peter can apply for nationality on July 16, 2010.
3. Criminal Record You should not have:
• Been sentenced in France to at least six months' imprisonment without suspension,
• Been convicted of a criminal offense against the fundamental interests of the Nation,
• Been convicted of a criminal offense related to terrorism.
However, these restrictions do not apply if the conviction has been rehabilitated or erased from Bulletin No. 2 of your criminal record.
4. Knowledge of French To obtain French nationality, you must prove sufficient knowledge of the French language. Currently, you need to demonstrate oral and written proficiency at least equal to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Upcoming Changes: From 2026, the language requirement will increase to DELF B2 level.
Accepted Proof of B2 Level: You will need to present an official attestation of your French proficiency. Ensure that your certification is valid. Careful don’t look just as the price course, also check the validity of your certification.
Accepted proof of B2 level
To meet this new requirement, candidates will need to present an official attestation of their level of French. Several formats are accepted:
DELF B2 (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française), issued by France Éducation International on behalf of the French Ministry of Education. Valid for life
TCF IRN (Test de Connaissance du Français – Intégration, Résidence, Nationalité), offered by France Éducation International. 2 years validity
TEF IRN (Test d’Évaluation de Français), issued by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 2 years validity.
Certain university diplomas issued in French-speaking countries, subject to validation by the ENIC-NARIC Center.
According to the French Ministry of the Interior website, language certifications TCF and TEF must be less than two years old at the time of application for naturalization.
Note : CEFR is a rating that allows you to assess your level of proficiency in a foreign language
At Marco Languages we will help you to prepare your DELF B2 exam only because Valid for life and this will protect you from having to do another test if your declaration of French nationality by marriage takes more time than expected.
www.marcolanguages.co.uk Call us today
Sources
Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).
Note : Information on this subject are changing all the time. We strongly advice to check with the French Government what the rules are at the time you are reading this article.
The information provided on this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the information up-to-date and accurate, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained herein for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
