Descent (CNF) · decided by Tribunal / Service central
French citizenship by descent
France transmits nationality by filiation indefinitely through an unbroken line — unless the family lived abroad over 50 years with no French ties (the désuétude rule). Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Grandparent or great-grandparent claim? Complex chain? Skip the research — talk to a France citizenship specialist in 30 minutes.
🇫🇷 By filiation
French nationality passes down the line indefinitely — unless decades abroad with no ties let proof lapse.
Eligibility
Who may qualify
A French parent at your birth → French by filiation (Art. 18).
Transmits across generations if each link was French at the next birth.
Désuétude (Art. 30-3): 50+ years abroad with no 'possession d'état' bars proof.
Recognized via a Certificat de Nationalité Française (CNF).
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer. EasyPassport is not affiliated with Tribunal / Service central. We help you organize and verify your documents. You submit your application to Tribunal / Service central directly — we do not file, submit, or act on your behalf with any government authority.
Why France
What makes France different
Transmission is indefinite — with one catch
French nationality passes by filiation across generations, but Art. 30-3 (désuétude) can bar proof after 50+ years abroad with no 'possession d'état'.
Possession d'état keeps the line provable
Recent generations holding a French passport/ID, registering, or otherwise living as French preserves provability — the désuétude rule was reaffirmed by the Conseil constitutionnel in April 2025.
A recognition, not a grant
You obtain a Certificat de Nationalité Française (CNF) confirming nationality you already hold, not a naturalization.
No fee for the CNF
The certificate procedure itself is free.
Centralized adjudication
Descent CNF requests are handled by the Pôle de la nationalité at the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the French ancestor determines which rules apply
Through your parent
A French parent at your birth makes you French by filiation.
See requirements 02GRANDPARENTThrough your grandparent
Possible if the line stayed French and your family kept French ties (possession d'état).
See requirements 03GREAT-GRANDPARENTThrough your great-grandparent
At risk from the désuétude rule unless recent generations held a French passport/ID or registered.
See requirementsProcess
How to apply
- 1
Map your filiation
Trace an unbroken French parent-to-child line and identify any 50-year gap that the désuétude rule could affect.
- 2
Assemble vital records
Gather full birth and marriage certificates for every link, plus proof of the anchor ancestor's French nationality.
- 3
Document French ties
Where the line ran abroad, collect evidence recent generations acted as French (passports, ID cards, consular registration) to satisfy possession d'état.
- 4
Translate and legalize
Provide French translations and apostille/legalize foreign documents.
- 5
File the CNF request
Submit to the Pôle de la nationalité (Tribunal judiciaire de Paris) per its current instructions.
- 6
Wait and use the CNF
Adjudication runs ~6 months to 1–3 years; the CNF then supports passport and ID applications.
Choose your path
Do it yourself, or talk to a specialist?
Do it yourself
Free tool- Parent or grandparent claim with clear documentation
- You know your ancestor held France citizenship
- Records are legible and translated where needed
- No broken-chain events (renunciation, timing gaps)
Talk to a specialist
- Great-grandparent or further-back claim
- Unsure whether a naturalization broke the chain
- Mixed ancestry — multiple possible pathways
- Want a professional to verify before gathering 10+ documents
At a glance
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Free (the CNF procedure)
- Typical timeline
- 6 months to 1–3 years
- Where
- Pôle de la nationalité, Tribunal judiciaire de Paris
Key dates & laws
The rules that decide your case
Art. 18 Code civil
French by filiation — a child of a French parent is French.
Art. 30-3 (désuétude)
Upheld by the Conseil constitutionnel in April 2025: bars proof after 50+ years abroad without French ties.
Where it's processed
A single national authority
🇫🇷 Pôle de la nationalité française
Tribunal judiciaire de Paris
France processes descent applications centrally through one national authority, rather than routing them through consulates.
See mailing instructionsTools & guides
Plan your application
France articles
Latest from our editors
2025-07-17
Why French Citizenship by Descent Is Harder Than in Other EU Countries
France technically allows descent claims across generations, but its administrative practice, two distinct legal pathways, and a 50-year rule make it one of the more demanding EU routes.
Read the article2024-03-06
What France's CNF Form Tells You About Proving Ancestry
The French certificate of nationality application is a document-driven checklist, and reading it closely shows exactly what US applicants need to prove descent.
Read the article
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
🇫🇷 Not sure where to start?
See if you qualify in about two minutes.
A personalized answer based on your specific line of descent. No passport or ID uploads — ever.